PDC World Darts Championship 2025/26: Results, Schedule, Field, Draw and Predictions

The PDC World Darts Championship will take place between December 11 and January 3, and will feature a brand new complexion with the field expanding from 96 to 128 players. Additionally, there will be £ 1 million for the winner.

Luke Littler was the victor this past January at the PDC World Darts Championship and will return to defend his title mere weeks after he was crowned Players Champion, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam winner in the past two months alone.

Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price will be among the leading lights hoping to stop the World No.1 from winning a second World title. Other protagonists including Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting will also be involved.

The road to Dartsmas starts here and the pilgrimage up Muswell Hill to the Alexandra Palace is here. Follow it all here.

Samuel Gill, Head Editor for DartsNews.com sees only one winner but adds a few protagonists to the mix.

Luke Littler is of course the standout and it perhaps will get a bit boring the amount he is spoken about over the next few weeks but he will likely be champion come January 3rd.

See Gerwyn Price having something to say about it while I reckon it'll be early exits for Luke Humphries as well as Stephen Bunting and Michael van Gerwen.

Also pencil good runs in for Josh Rock to further his Premier League ambitions, Gian van Veen as well as Wessel Nijman also watch out for Beau Greaves who I think could reach the latter stages.

*** Luke Littler

** Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock

* Gian van Veen, Wessel Nijman, Beau Greaves

Pieter Verbeek, Head Editor for DartsNieuws.com sees Luke Littler as the champion in what will be a likely theme.

You don’t hand out the Sid Waddell Trophy in advance, but everything would have to go seriously off script for Luke Littler not to be holding it again on 3 January 2026.

Right now, the teenage phenomenon is operating at a level no one else on the circuit can match. The Nuke is defending champion at Alexandra Palace and added several more major trophies to his fast-growing collection in 2025. The UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals, all won by the 18-year-old. At this point, it’s almost notable when Littler plays below a 100+ average. Given the current field, there are very few capable of living with that standard.

Over the past two years, only Luke Humphries has managed to beat Littler in a long-format match. That was in the 2024 World Championship final. Humphries has shown on multiple occasions that he has the game to trouble Littler over distance, but he doesn’t produce that level as consistently. Gian van Veen also has the firepower, though GVV The Giant lacks experience in extended matches. Realistically, he has played just one on that scale, a 16–14 loss to Gary Anderson in the 2024 Grand Slam quarter-finals. A Van Veen vs Humphries meeting at the Worlds is possible, as it would land in the quarter-finals.

One round earlier, Humphries might run into fellow Englishman Nathan Aspinall. The Asp goes into Ally Pally as an outsider, but his run to the final of the Players Championship Finals underlines his threat. Two others who arrive in form – both across the season and in the autumn – are Danny Noppert and Gerwyn Price. Noppert reached four semi-finals at ranking majors this year and has climbed to sixth in the world. Price should also be taken seriously and delivered a solid tune-up in Minehead with another semi-final appearance.

In previous years, Michael van Gerwen has often gone in as the top favourite or at least among the main contenders. This time, Mighty Mike has to settle for dark horse status. He proved he still has it by winning the World Series Finals, but outside of that it’s been a lean year for the three-time World Champion. Other dark horse candidates include James Wade and Josh Rock.

And so, while anything can happen at Alexandra Palace, one conclusion feels unavoidable: if Littler performs anywhere near the level he’s shown all season, it will take something exceptional to stop him.

*** Luke Littler

** Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen

* Danny Noppert, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall

Kieran Wood, Editor for DartsNews.com sees unpredictable by nature, predictable in the execution.

A 128-player World Championship should, in theory, feel unpredictable. Instead, the 2025 season has given this one a remarkably clear shape. Luke Littler arrives not only as defending champion but as the undisputed form player of the year, sweeping every major that mattered and ending the campaign with the same ruthlessness he showed at the start. His most recent title in Minehead — capped by a string of 100+ averages throughout — underlined a level no one else has consistently matched.

Luke Humphries remains the most credible challenger. His peak game still threatens Littler more than anyone else’s, though his autumn results have dipped at the wrong moment. Gian van Veen, by contrast, heads to Ally Pally with momentum firmly behind him: a European Championship win, big scalps throughout the season, and the scoring power to trouble absolutely anyone. His lack of Ally Pally success over recent years remains a question mark though.

Just behind that pair sits a tight group of outsiders with genuine upside. Danny Noppert’s steady run of deep finishes across the year makes him a reliable threat, although a world title is likely out of reach. Gerwyn Price remains volatile, but if his A-game is produced, he can still be a big threat. Nathan Aspinall’s burst to the Minehead final puts him back in the frame, while Josh Rock’s combination of World Cup success and consistent major progress makes him a dangerous floater in the draw.

Others will fancy producing a run, but the season’s pattern is hard to ignore. Unless someone delivers something extraordinary over the set format, Littler starts a long way ahead of the chasing pack.

*** Luke Littler

** Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen

* Gerwyn Price, Danny Noppert, Nathan Aspinall, Josh Rock

Bram Coenen, Writer for DartsNieuws.com picks more outsiders but in reality the same outcome.

The Darts World Championship is just around the corner, and as always, it’s the perfect grand finale to close out the old year and kick off the new one. While in previous years there wasn’t a clear-cut favourite, this time that is undeniably the case. It would be contrarian—and frankly ignoring reality—not to put Luke Littler forward as the outright favourite to win a second consecutive world title. The Nuke has dominated the past year; it’s been since the peak years of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen that we’ve seen someone control the sport this convincingly.

Moreover, the World Championship’s set format brings much longer matches than most tournaments. Even in the earlier rounds—often mentioned as potential stumbling blocks for Littler—I simply don’t see anyone capable of stopping the still only 18-year-old Englishman. Can we already write down the name of the winner? For me, yes, although surprises are always possible.

I am especially curious to see how Luke Humphries will respond to his early exit at the recent Players Championship Finals. The proud former world champion has also lost his world number one ranking. Other players I expect to go far include Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, and Josh Rock. All three have had an excellent season, although Price and Rock both ended the year without a major title. But with Littler picking up six majors, there simply wasn’t much left for the rest of the field.

I think much of the competition is quietly hoping that Littler draws Beau Greaves in the first round. The 21-year-old Englishwoman already beat Littler at the World Youth Championship, and with a packed Ally Pally roaring behind her, even Littler might feel a shiver down his spine. On the other hand, no one will be eager to face Greaves either: Beau ’n’ Arrow has won titles on both the Development Tour and Challenge Tour this year and will compete full-time on the PDC Pro Tour starting next season. How far she can go at this World Championship is one of the big questions.

As outsiders, I would like to highlight Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall. Van Gerwen had a relatively mediocre year by his high standards but proved at the World Series of Darts Finals on home soil that he can still win major tournaments. Three world titles is simply too few for a player of his calibre, so rest assured he is hungry for another world crown. Van Gerwen is also one of the few players who, at his best, can match Littler’s scoring power. But he must cut out the inconsistency in his game; otherwise, his tournament could end quickly.

Aspinall, on the other hand, will head to Ally Pally brimming with confidence after reaching the final at the recent Players Championship Finals. Beyond the favourites and dark horses, the World Championship is always worth watching: you get to see players from all over the world whom you barely encounter during the season. And every year, a few spectacular names and surprise packages emerge.

So get ready for three weeks of pure darts entertainment!

*** Luke Littler

** Luke Humphries

* Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall, Gian van Veen, Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price

Oliver Ried, Writer for DartsNews.DE goes different and backs Gerwyn Price for the title.

The excitement is building for the best time of the year. The World Darts Championship is about to begin, and with it comes the usual question: who will lift the trophy and take home the £1 million prize? And I’m not going with Luke Littler — I’m backing Gerwyn Price. The Welshman has impressed throughout the year, especially on the Pro Tour. He looks incredibly solid, even better than at the start of the season. Like every other player, he will be even more motivated than usual because of the prize money and the prestige. That extra motivation will carry him to the title.

The other main title contenders are, of course, the Lukes. Many expect another Littler vs. Humphries final, which is indeed possible this year. I don’t see it happening this time, but both remain huge favourites. When Price isn’t there, or when both Lukes play at their very best, there are very few players who can beat them.

My extended circle of favourites includes Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen. Van Gerwen always shows at the World Championship what he is capable of. He will head into the tournament with maximum motivation, hoping to erase the memory of a difficult season. Danny Noppert is having the year of his life. Even though Ally Pally has never really been his venue, the Dutchman will finally prove what he can do and show his current form on the biggest stage. And the European Champion, Gian van Veen, must also be counted among the major contenders. If you want to beat him, you must play something extraordinary — and that applies once again here.

*** Gerwyn Price

**Luke Littler, Luke Humphries

*Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert, Gian van Veen

Lucas Michael, Writer for DartsNews.com also goes against the grain and picks Luke Humphries for the title

The pinnacle of the darting calendar is just on the horizon. The PDC World Darts Championship is a haven for fairytale runs, huge upsets and memorable stories. Over the last two years, the headlines have been firmly centred around a certain Luke Littler. The then 16-year-old made an incredible debut run at Ally Pally and has been an ever-present at the top of the darting tree. He will head to the World Championship as the world number one with a firm focus on regaining the Sid Waddell trophy and the eye-watering £1 million on offer. The Nuke will be the overwhelming favourite for glory, but he is not my pick for the title.

Luke Humphries was electric two years ago, and while he is still playing at an extraordinary level he has been overshadowed by his rival Littler. He has come up short in three consecutive major finals, twice to the rampant 18-year-old. Despite this, I believe that he will get back to winning ways at the perfect time, snatching the world number one ranking back off Littler in a remarkably close final.

It is hard to look away from those two for the title, although that soes not mean others will not try. Last year’s finalist Michael van Gerwen proved he still has the winning touch in the World Series of Darts Finals. His distinctively average form has let him down in a plethora of events this year, but he does normally bring his best game to the World Champs. The same could not be said in the same manner for Gerwyn Price, who by his lofty standards has only made the semi-finals stage twice, once in 2021 when he became world champion. I believe he will go deep this year but not quite a title charge the Welshman will be targeting.

Young talents Josh Rock and Gian van Veen will be within a shout. The pair continue to throw in ginormous averages regularly whether on or off the stage. At their best they could beat anyone, and if they do then the title is certainly in reach. Other stars such as Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Nathan Aspinall have played some great darts this year, but the deeper the event goes, the less spots up for grabs. This leads in turn to a number of upsets occurring, with some of the best players in the world on the end of a surprising result.

In my eyes this will not be for either of the two Luke’s, with another major final poised to be played between them. I will back Humphries to become a double world champion, but I would not bat an eyelid if Littler breezed to glory.

*** Luke Humphries

** Luke Littler, Josh Rock

* Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen

Nicolas Gayer, Editor for DartsNews.DE finally once more picks Luke Littler.

The moment has finally arrived. The highlight of the darts year is upon us. At long last, it’s time for Ally Pally once again — for long winter days filled with darts, and for the biggest tournament in the sport: the World Championship.

The question of all questions, of course, is: Who will lift the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 3rd? And as predictable as it may sound, nearly the entire darts world will give the same answer this winter.

The reason? An 18-year-old Englishman who is dominating the sport, standing above the rest, and entering the World Championship with a level of favoritism previously reserved only for Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. Luke Littler is the best darts player in the world, the number one in the rankings — and as of the evening of January 3rd, he will also be a two-time World Champion.

There is, however, one player who is almost unfairly overshadowed by such proclamations: Luke Humphries. The fact that he does not enter the World Championship as the outright top favorite has nothing to do with his level of play. The 30-year-old has been in sensational form for weeks, looks more in control of his game than ever before, and is operating on a level far above the rest of the circuit — with the sole exception of that extraordinary teenager from Warrington.

Beyond these two dominant figures of the modern era, one can almost speak of the “best of the rest” — such is the gap the two Lukes have created between themselves and the field. Still, there are plenty of in-form contenders heading to Ally Pally with genuine ambition. Among them, I would list players such as Danny Noppert, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock, and of course the unfinished masterpiece that is James Wade.

In addition to the obvious question of who will take the title, the World Championship always presents another intriguing storyline: Who will become the tournament’s great outsider sensation? Who will follow in the footsteps of Jamie Lewis, Nathan Aspinall, or Scott Williams at the 2026 Worlds? My answer: Dom Taylor. And no — I do not expect “The Tower” to reach the semifinals on his debut. But I do believe he has a very realistic chance to win multiple matches and write a charming underdog story in London.

Finally, let’s turn to the German contingent. After an excellent season, the main hopes naturally rest on Martin Schindler and Niko Springer. Ricardo Pietreczko — one of the countries strongest major performers and a proven big-game player — will also feel he has every chance of producing a successful campaign. I am especially excited to see Arno Merk, who continues to add new chapters to his remarkable story and seems to feel most at home on the sport’s biggest stages. And I want to highlight one final name that should never be forgotten when discussing the World Championship: Max Hopp. The Maximiser has earned his way back to Ally Pally with a highly respectable comeback season and showed during the dress rehearsal in Minehead that he still feels very comfortable under the brightest lights. Max Hopp and Ally Pally — it has always been a special combination.

Favourites:

***Luke Littler

**Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen

*Gerwyn Price, Danny Noppert, Josh Rock