PDC Media Release - 2022 Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts qualification criteria confirmed

​The qualification criteria for the 2022 Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts has been confirmed ahead of November’s tournament at the Aldersley Leisure Village.

The prestigious 32-player event returns to Wolverhampton from November 12-20, as the sport’s biggest names battle it out for the iconic Eric Bristow Trophy. Reigning champion Gerwyn Price, who sealed his third Grand Slam crown 12 months ago, headlines this year’s field alongside World Champion Peter Wright and three-time winner Michael van Gerwen, who was recently crowned as Premier League champion. The finalists from PDC televised events over a 12-month period will make up 16 places at this year’s Grand Slam, and 11 of those spots are currently occupied. Price, Wright and Van Gerwen are among the players to have won televised events during the qualifying period, alongside Masters champion Joe Cullen and UK Open winner Danny Noppert. Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock will also feature after guiding Australia to their maiden Cazoo World Cup of Darts success in Frankfurt earlier this month. World Championship runner-up Michael Smith has sealed his spot, with Dave Chisnall, Ryan Searle and Jonny Clayton also amongst the current qualifiers. The Betfred World Matchplay, BoyleSports World Grand Prix, Cazoo European Championship and Jack's World Series of Darts Finals provide four more opportunities for players to seal their qualification through televised events. Jose De Sousa, the Grand Slam champion in 2020, has yet to book his Wolverhampton return, while James Wade and Gary Anderson are also battling to preserve their ever-present records in the tournament. However, if the 16 places are not filled from the televised events, winners from the 2022 PDC European Tour and then Players Championship events could also secure Grand Slam spots. A further eight players will come through the PDC Tour Card Holder Qualifier on November 6, before the 32-player field is completed with an additional eight qualifiers. Reigning World Youth champion Ted Evetts and last year's runner-up Nathan Rafferty have confirmed their qualification, while North American Championship winner Leonard Gates will make his debut in a PDC Premier event.