“I was gone. I was out. To come back like that…” – Ryan Meikle reaches the third round of the World Darts Championship for the first time

Ryan Meikle claimed one of the most emotional and meaningful victories of his career at the PDC World Darts Championship 2026 at Alexandra Palace.

In a match where he had his back firmly against the wall, the Englishman fought back from 2-0 down to seal a dramatic comeback victory over Jonny Tata.

The win not only earned him a place in the third round for the first time in his World Championship career, but also delivered a moment he will clearly never forget.

Afterwards, Meikle stood in front of the cameras with tears in his eyes. “I’ve got no words, to be fair,” he admitted. “I genuinely thought I was gone, I thought I was out. I still don’t know how I pulled it back in those last three sets, but I’m just so happy to be here after Christmas.”

After his first-round victory, Meikle had already spoken openly about the opportunity this World Championship presented to go further than ever before on the iconic Ally Pally stage. The question was whether that awareness added extra pressure.

“It might have done at the start,” he conceded. “I’m not one who really looks into it too much, but I know I said it, and it’s not just for me. He probably looked at it as a good draw for him as well. I knew I wouldn’t get a better chance to be here after Christmas.”

The match itself began awkwardly. Meikle fell 2-0 behind in sets and felt unsettled throughout the early stages. “I was playing all right, it wasn’t great, and I felt a bit edgy the whole way through.” Despite that tension, he stayed in touch with the contest, knowing a single moment could change everything.

That moment arrived in the third set. Slowly, Meikle began to find a foothold and sensed that he had given himself another chance. “It’s massive,” he said of the comeback. “I’ve always thought I’ve got a bit of bottle when I need it, and I think I showed it at times, probably not so much at other times.”

Scoring did not always come easily, he admitted, but one part of his game kept him alive. “Scoring was quite hard to come by for me, but I know I can always finish quite well.”

A crucial factor in the turnaround was the crowd. Meikle received extraordinary support from the stands, something he had never previously experienced at the World Championship. “It was unbelievable,” he said gratefully. “Something I’ve never had before. When it all started and I was two sets down, the noise was something I’ve never witnessed or heard before.”

That backing provided energy, but also brought added pressure. “It did put a bit more pressure on me, but I was so grateful for the crowd, and I honestly think that’s what got me through it.”

When the final double landed, the emotion spilled over. Meikle broke down on stage, a rare sight of unfiltered release. “One hundred percent,” he said when asked what the tears meant. “Anyone in my family will tell you I didn’t even cry on my wedding day or when my boy was born. To cry after winning a game here at Ally Pally shows what it means.”

What dominated his thoughts was disbelief. “I genuinely thought I was gone, I thought I was out. To come back like that was just an unbelievable feeling.”

Throughout the match, Meikle regularly looked towards his family in the crowd. After winning the third set, he gestured in their direction, a moment viewers could not miss. “I just felt like I’d given myself a chance,” he explained. “My family travel everywhere with me, and to have them all here means everything.”

Their influence extends beyond emotional support. “My dad and my brother, when things aren’t going right, I can look over and they’ll tell me to throw faster, throw slower, do this or do that, and it always seems to work. It’s not just me throwing up there. It’s me and my whole family. So it’s not just a win for me, it’s a win for my family as well.”

This victory changes everything for Meikle, including the festive period. Where Christmas would normally be a time to switch off, preparation now becomes part of the routine. “One hundred percent,” he said. “I’ll be practising on Christmas morning now, which is something I’ve never had to do.”

His ambition within the PDC had always been clear. “My next goal in the PDC has always been just to be in this tournament after Christmas, something I’ve never achieved before.” Being able to celebrate Christmas with his family, knowing he must return to Alexandra Palace, makes it all the more special. “To have Christmas with the family knowing I’ve got to come back, I think it’s going to be the best one yet.”

Despite the euphoria, Meikle remains grounded about his approach heading into round three. “I’ll stick with what I’ve been doing. You’ve got to rest a bit and practise a bit,” he explained. “It’s the biggest tournament in the world, and the amount of money involved can change your life.”

At the same time, he understands just how unique this moment is. “I’ll have a nice little break over Christmas and then get ready to come back here.” Whatever happens next, this victory has already secured its place.