PREVIEW PDC World Darts Championship Sunday Evening: Luke Littler & Gerwyn Price in action on Super Sunday at Ally Pally
PDC
A huge night of darts in store at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship this Sunday evening with two of the tournament favourites, Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price looking to continue their collision course towards a potential quarter-final showdown.
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In addition, Martin Schindler faces Keane Barry, while Damon Heta has an all-Oceania clash with Stefan Bellmont.
Follow the 2026 World Darts Championship via our live scores!
Follow the 2026 World Darts Championship via our live scores!
World Darts Championship 2026 schedule
Sunday, December 21
Evening session (from 7:00 PM)
| 7:10 PM | Martin Schindler | v | Keane Barry | R2 |
| 8:10 PM | Gerwyn Price | v | Wesley Plaisier | R2 |
| 9:10 PM | Luke Littler | v | David Davies | R2 |
| 10:10 PM | Damon Heta | v | Stefan Bellmont | R2 |
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Martin Schindler v Keane Barry
Keane Barry was given just two days’ rest by the PDC, because after the Irishman beat Tim Pusey on Friday night he has to return on Sunday evening for his next match. ‘Dynamite’ had not produced many strong displays at the World Darts Championship in the past, but against the Australian Barry was tidy. He averaged almost 93 and cruised to a 3-0 win.
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Barry, however, can brace himself for a real test, as a showdown with German standout Martin Schindler awaits in the second round. The German dropped a set in his opener against Stephen Burton, but still won convincingly by 3-1 in sets. ‘The Wall’ also posted excellent numbers, with a 99.14 average.
The head-to-head record is firmly in Schindler’s favor. The two have met five times over the years, with four wins for Schindler. It should be noted, though, that these have generally been tight contests.
Barry did not have a great season, but the Irish darter does not yet have to fear for his Tour Card. Next year he could run into trouble, so it helps that he is already guaranteed £25,000 in prize money. Schindler sits virtually 13th in the world rankings and, with a good run at Ally Pally, can dream of a debut in the world’s top 10.

Martin Schindler has only twice previously survived the Worlds period before the Christmas break
Gerwyn Price v Wesley Plaisier
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For the second consecutive year, Wesley Plaisier has reached the second round of the World Darts Championship. He did so with a 3-1 win over Lukas Wenig. After taking the first set 3-0, Plaisier dipped in set two, but the Dutchman then shifted up a gear. Last year, Plaisier faced Peter Wright in round two and let the Scottish icon off the hook; now another big name awaits in Gerwyn Price.
Gerwyn Price underlined in the first round why he is considered one of the favorites for the world title. In his win over Adam Gawlas (3-0), ‘The Iceman’ recorded a scoring average of no less than 110. Wastefulness on the doubles (9/26) dragged the overall average down to ‘just’ 96.44. Even so, the Welshman can call it a successful start to his Worlds campaign.
This will be the third time Price and Plaisier face off. Their first meeting was at a Euro Tour event in 2020, when Price prevailed 6-1. In 2024 they met again, and Plaisier took it 6-4.
Price started the tournament as world number nine and still holds that position virtually. The former rugby player wants to get back into the world’s top four, and will likely need a semi-final here to do so. By winning in the first round, Plaisier added another £10,000 to his ranking. The darter from Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht can put that money to good use next year to help keep his Tour Card beyond 2026.

Wesley Plaisier won 3-1 in sets against Lukas Wenig in the first round
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Luke Littler v David Davies
It already feels like an eternity since we last saw Luke Littler in action at this World Darts Championship. Traditionally, ‘The Nuke’ played on opening night, now ten days ago. It was no walkover for Littler against Darius Labanauskas, who made him work. The Lithuanian played well, but still lost 3-0 in sets to the reigning world champion. In two of the three sets, Littler needed a last-leg decider to get over the line. The numbers were impressive for a first match, too: a 101.54 average, seven 180s, and a 64.3 percent checkout rate.
Where only the world title will do for Littler, the tournament is already a success for his opponent David Davies. The Welshman, who qualified for this event via a qualifier as a non–Tour Card holder, won his opening round 3-0 in sets against Mario Vandenbogaerde and has already secured £25,000 in prize money.
During this tournament, Littler can become the first player to surpass two million pounds in prize money on the world ranking. He needs a place in the final to achieve that. His opponent Davies started the tournament ranked 141, but has virtually climbed around forty places already. The Welshman will need to reach the quarterfinals to come away from this tournament with a Tour Card.

Luke Littler was thoroughly tested by Darius Labanauskas in the first round
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Damon Heta v Stefan Bellmont
Dutch darts fans had hoped to see Raymond van Barneveld make his second appearance here. It turned out differently, as ‘Barney’ was beaten 3-0 in sets by Stefan Bellmont. The Swiss, who has already secured a Tour Card by winning the Challenge Tour, played very solidly against Van Barneveld with a 91.36 average and a 39.1 percent checkout rate. And in this match, Bellmont will fancy his chances of progressing another round at Ally Pally.
Damon Heta remains a player who struggles with his TV form. Even in his first round against Steve Lennon (3-1), the Australian failed to impress. It was, however, the fifth consecutive year that ‘The Heat’ won his opening match at the PDC World Championship. One bright spot for Heta in his first match was his finishing. Those were neatly taken at 11/19.
Heta goes into this tie knowing he has never lost a match to Bellmont. Their two previous meetings were both won by the Perth thrower.
In the world rankings, Heta currently sits sixteenth, in a section where the margins are relatively small. With a good run in London, Heta could make a decent jump. Thanks to his win over Barney, Bellmont has virtually climbed 22 places and now sits 89th. However, if the Swiss does not reach the quarterfinals, his ranking will be reset and he will start his upcoming Tour Card spell on £0.
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Stefan Bellmont knocked Raymond van Barneveld out of the PDC World Championship

Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026







