Gian van Veen beat Luke Humphries 6–2 to close A Night at the Darts in Dundee as both players continued their build-up to the Grand Slam of Darts. Ross Smith also enjoyed a successful evening at the MDA Events exhibition, recording victories over Robert Thornton and John Henderson.

Van Veen beats Humphries ahead of Wolverhampton

Humphries had earlier whitewashed Henderson 3–0, but could take only two legs against Van Veen in the closing contest.

Humphries heads to Wolverhampton having finished runner-up to Luke Littler in last year’s Grand Slam. His World Grand Prix victory secured his place in this year’s field, while Van Veen qualified through his run to the 2026 World Championship final.

The pair avoided Friday’s last-chance qualifier in Leicester, where 91 Tour Card holders competed for ten places. Stephen Bunting, Joe Cullen and Niko Springer were among those who came through, while Michael Smith, Danny Noppert and Peter Wright missed out.

Smith wins twice before Grand Slam campaign

Smith opened the Dundee evening with a 3–1 victory over Thornton, then beat Henderson 4–1 in his final match.

He heads into the Grand Slam having won the European Championship and World Series of Darts Finals this season. Those two televised titles secured his place in the field alongside Van Veen and Humphries. His European Championship title came on 25 October, giving him another major success less than three weeks before the start of the Grand Slam.

Scottish interest in Wolverhampton will include Alan Soutar, who beat Madars Razma, Mickey Mansell and Mike De Decker to qualify on Friday. Cameron Menzies had already secured his place through his Players Championship successes.

The Grand Slam draw takes place on Monday 9 November, when the Dundee winners will learn their group opponents. Littler will defend his title at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton from 14–22 November, with a 48-player field competing for the trophy and a £200,000 first prize.