Schedule PDC World Darts Championship 2026: see here when Littler, Humphries, Van Gerwen and Price open campaigns

The schedule for the 2026 World Darts Championship has been announced. Traditionally, the defending champion comes into action on the opening night and Littler does.

With 128 participants, the World Championship is bigger and longer than ever. This year, the tournament begins as early as Thursday, Dec. 11. Kim Huybrechts has the honor of starting the tournament. He meets debutant Arno Merk in the opening match of the World Darts Championship 2026. Then it is the turn of former world champion Michael Smith, who faces Lisa Ashton. Defending champion Luke Littler next faces Darius Labanauskas, before Jamai van den Herik faces Madars Razma in the opening round.

The first round is spread over sixteen sessions through Friday, Dec. 19. On the second day of play, Haupai Puha, Ryan Searle and Rob Cross are involved respectively. In the evening session on Friday, December 12, Gian van Veen will start his tournament against Cristo Reyes, while we can also look forward to showman Ricky Evans this evening. 'Rapid Ricky' will then take on Man Lok Leung.

Two-time world champion Gary Anderson is scheduled in this afternoon session. That evening Paul Lim faces Jeffrey de Graaf, while Wessel Nijman will face off with Karel Sedlacek. Former world champion Luke Humphries will then play Ted Evetts.

In the afternoon session of Monday, December 15, it is time for Noa-Lynn van Leuven, who will make her second World Championship appearance against darts icon Peter Wright, while Jonny Clayton, Simon Whtilock and Dirk van Duijvenbode play in the evening.

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, in the evening. Scott Williams and Gerwyn Price will also be in action on this matchday. On Wednesday, December 17, there is only an evening session, but a great one. Raymond van Barneveld will appear at Alexandra Palace for his match against Stefan Bellmont. James Wade also plays on this day. 'The Machine' meets Ryusei Azemoto.

Mike De Decker gets his tournament underway in the afternoon session on Thursday, Dec. 18, against David Munyua, the first ever Kenyan participant at the World Darts Championship. The evening session features some great duels, starting with Jermaine Wattimena against Dominik Gruellich. Then Dave Chisnall faces Fallon Sherrock, before Michael van Gerwen finally gets to start his tournament. He tarts his hunt for a fourth world title against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.

On Friday December 19, former world youth champion Josh Rock also appears. The evening session features the cracker between Daryl Gurney and Beau Greaves, while crowd favorite Nathan Aspinall faces Lourence Ilagan.

From Saturday, December 20 to Tuesday, December 23, the matches of the second round of the World Darts Championship are scheduled. From Wednesday, December 24 to Friday, December 27 it is time for the traditional Christmas break. After Christmas, 32 players will return to Alexandra Palace for the remainder of the tournament. The third round will be played from Saturday, December 27 to Monday, December 29. That same Monday will also see the start of the fourth round, which ends on Tuesday, December 30.

With the remaining eight players, we will then enter the new year. The quarterfinals will take place on Thursday, Jan. 1, followed by the semifinals on Friday, Jan. 2. The World Championship final will be played on Saturday, Jan. 3. The winner of the World Darts Championship will go home with a record £1 million.