Darts World Championship 2026: Start Date, Final, Sets, Legs & Watch Guide

Every year, when the nights draw in and the Alexandra Palace comes alive once more, darts suddenly becomes the show everyone wants to see. The PDC Darts World Championship is more than just another date on the calendar. It is the trophy players dream of winning, fans organise vacations around and people who aren’t even darts fans find themselves watching until midnight.

The 2026 event is no different, with a full complement of 128 players, the largest number in history. In this guide, you will discover when the tournament begins, when the final takes place, how the sets and legs really function, how many players will take part and where in the world you can watch every dart fly.

The Darts World Championship is the premier event hosted by Professional Darts Corporation. It has been running since 1994 and has grown into the most prestigious tournament in professional darts. Winning it does not just mean prize money. It means your name sits alongside legends of the sport.

Some key facts help put it into perspective.

●     Organised by the Professional Darts Corporation

●     First held in 1994

●     Played every year from December into January

●     Widely viewed as the biggest darts tournament in the world

●     Winner earns the title of PDC World Champion

Ally Pally itself has become part of the story. The costumes, the chants, the tension. Even players say the atmosphere can feel overwhelming the first time they walk on stage.

Fans always ask when the Darts World Championship starts because December calendars fill up quickly. Traditionally, the tournament begins in mid December, just before the festive break truly kicks in.

●     It usually starts around the middle of December

●     Early rounds played before Christmas

●     Short pause for Christmas itself

●     Tournament resumes after Christmas with later rounds

This structure gives the tournament a rhythm. Early surprises before Christmas, then pressure builds sharply once play resumes in January.

As the tournament progresses, many fans also keep an eye on odds and markets as part of the viewing experience. Popular markets usually include outright winner, match winner, set betting and correct score. Odds tend to shift significantly round by round as match formats become longer and form starts to matter more. Longer matches often reduce randomness, which is why favourites usually grow stronger later on. Some fans compare prices through platforms like 7bet once a major result is confirmed, just to see how the landscape changes.

If there is one night every darts fan remembers, it is the final night. So when is the darts world championship final? The answer is fairly consistent year after year.

●     Played in early January

●     Most often scheduled on January 3

●     Evening session at Alexandra Palace

●     Usually sold out well in advance

The final is also the longest match of the entire tournament. By that stage, fatigue, pressure and crowd noise all come into play. It is not unusual to see momentum swing several times before a champion is finally crowned.

The modern format features the largest field the tournament has ever seen. For those asking how many players are in darts world championship events now, the answer is clear.

●     128 players compete in the main draw

●     Includes top ranked PDC professionals

●     Pro Tour qualifiers earn spots

●     International qualifiers represent many regions

This mix is part of what makes the tournament compelling. You get established champions sharing the stage with players making their first appearance on the biggest platform in darts.

Unlike many other darts events, the World Championship uses a sets based format. That change alone adds pressure because losing focus for a few legs can cost an entire set.

●     Matches are played in sets

●     Each set is made up of legs

●     Players must win legs to secure sets

Understanding this structure makes watching far more enjoyable especially for newer fans.

A common question is how many legs are in a set of Darts World Championship matches. The rule is simple.

●     One set is first to three legs

●     Legs use the 501 double out format

●     Deciding leg rules apply if players are tied

This short race within a set means every missed double feels expensive and momentum can turn quickly.

The number of sets required depends on the stage of the tournament. This gradual increase tests stamina as much as scoring power.

●     Longer formats reward consistency

●     Experience becomes crucial in later rounds

●     The final is the toughest mental and physical test

Knowing where to watch darts world championship coverage depends on where you live, as broadcast rights differ by region. Most matches are shown live, with full sessions available across television and streaming services.

●     Sky Sports Darts

●     Sky Sports Main Event

●     Complete live coverage from first dart to final

●     Peacock streaming service

●     Selected coverage through NBC platforms

●     DAZN in Canada and selected regions

●     Fox Sports in Australia

●     PDCTV for international streaming access

Many fans now mix live viewing with highlights and replays online especially during the busy holiday period.