Brace yourself: these are five post-Christmas crackers at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship

The third round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship traditionally guarantees fireworks. After the first two rounds delivered plenty of culls and upsets before Christmas, it’s about time for the title contenders to step up.

This year, the Worlds started with 128 players for the first time. After two rounds, 32 remain, including with some tasty ties in store too. We’ve picked five matches for you that promise entertainment, five potential thrillers. Below is our preview.

Gary Anderson is a two-time world champion and needs little introduction. The 55-year-old Scot is known for his seemingly effortless throw, heavy scoring power, and experience on the biggest stage. Although Anderson has been less dominant in recent years than during his peak, he remains a player to watch at the Worlds. His timing, composure, and ability to strike at the crucial moments make him deadly.

Anderson started this Worlds a little tentatively with a narrow 3-2 win in the opening round against Adam Hunt. We then saw the old Anderson, averaging 100+ in a 3-1 victory over Connor Scutt. While some of the old guard, like Peter Wright and Raymond van Barneveld, are starting to fade, the years don’t seem to have caught up with Anderson yet.

In the third round Anderson faces Jermaine Wattimena. “The Machine Gun” has had a strong year with two Players Championship titles, among other results. At this Worlds it’s been somewhat labored so far with two 3-2 wins.

If Wattimena and Anderson hit their top level, this will undoubtedly be a match to savor. Both men score heavily with ease and can take out big checkouts under pressure. Given his experience, Anderson might be a slight favorite, but there is very little between them.

Josh Rock is widely regarded as one of the elite talents of his generation. The 24-year-old Northern Irishman truly broke through at the top this year, although he is still chasing a first major title. Rock did win the World Cup of Darts earlier this year alongside Daryl Gurney.

“Rocky” opened his Worlds with a fairly subdued match against Gemma Hayter. In the second round, however, he showed what he can do with a 100+ average and a clear 3-0 win over Joe Comito. When Rock has his day, the 180s fly and he is very hard to stop.

He meets Callan Rydz, who reached the quarterfinals at the Worlds last year. He couldn’t build on that result during the season, but he seems to have found his game again at the Worlds.

Rydz recently lost his grandfather and clearly wants to honor him with a strong run at this tournament. In the previous round, Rydz edged Gurney 3-2 after a gripping contest and let his emotions show afterwards.

Rock was tipped beforehand as a title contender, but Rydz presents his first real test in the third round.

If there is one player who guarantees entertainment, it’s Ricky Evans. “Rapid,” kitted out in a Christmas suit for this Worlds, produced an upset in the previous round by sending James Wade — a two-time major finalist this year — packing.

Evans had a difficult start to the year after the passing of his sister, but driven by the Alexandra Palace crowd and a new love in his life, the 35-year-old Englishman is shining like never before.

In the third round Evans meets surprise debutant Charlie Manby. The 20-year-old Englishman caused a shock in the opening round by beating 26th seed Cameron Menzies 3-2. In the second round, American Adam Sevada also came up short.

Manby is known as a top prospect, but we still give Evans the slight edge here, mainly due to his experience on the big stage.

Nathan Aspinall may have slipped to 15th in the world rankings, but the 34-year-old Englishman remains a world title contender. He has already won two majors, so he certainly doesn’t fear the big stage.

“The Asp” had little trouble in the first two rounds with Lourence Ilagan and Leonard Gates respectively. His first real test comes in the third round against Kevin Doets.

Doets is one of the Dutch players who has clearly taken steps lately. With his smooth throw and calm demeanor, he shows he isn’t afraid of big names. For Doets, this third round is a prime chance to firmly make his mark. It’s also his first real test at this Worlds after routine wins in the opening rounds over Matthew Dennant and David Munyua.

Last year, Doets reached the last 16 at Alexandra Palace — helped by an upset win over Michael Smith. If he wants to repeat that trick, he’ll have to get past Aspinall.

Jonny Clayton is seeded fifth at this year’s World Darts Championship. The 51-year-old Welshman is the only player in the third round who has played just one match so far. Clayton received a bye in the second round after his opponent Dom Taylor failed a doping test.

“The Ferret” has never gone beyond the quarterfinals at Alexandra Palace, but he has had an excellent year and has traveled to London brimming with confidence.

For a place in the last 16, Clayton faces Niels Zonneveld. The 27-year-old Dutchman produced a surprise in the previous round by beating former world champion Michael Smith 3-1.

Zonneveld, who has been very consistent this year anyway, is in the third round for the first time in his career. What’s more, he is far from without a chance against Clayton if he reproduces his level from the Smith match.