Darts: Fans gear up for World Grand Prix

The Paddy Power World Grand Prix returns to the City West Hotel on the outskirts of Dublin for a six-day extravaganza of darts from October 22- 27 2002.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 15.

The tournament has been expanded from five days to six this year, with all sessions to be staged in the evenings. Sky Sports are broadcasting the event live.

32 of the world's best darts players will be battling it out for the title. The top 24 from the PDC world rankings will qualify automatically for the tournament, with the remaining eight places open to the winners of John Barras/Holsten Pils and Paddy Power qualifying competitions - details of which will be released shortly.

Last year's winner was Alan 'The Iceman' Warriner, who overcame Dutchman Roland Scholten in the Final.

There was a first round shock exit for 10-time World Champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor, who came unstuck against John Barras/Holsten qualifier Kevin Painter.

Further potential upsets could be on the cards again this year, with the short Best of 3-Set format to be applied to all first and second round matches.