After one year, the darts world will have a spine-tingling experience when the PDC World Darts Championship 2026 opens! First of all, the PDC World Darts Championship has a new season, and new players and rising stars are also part of it. Likewise, the PDC World Darts Championship is an elite professional darts event held annually by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Subsequently, Paddy Power will also sponsor the PDC World Darts Championship 2026.
Following that, the PDC World Darts Championship will bring together the world’s top darters to meet here. So then, defending champion Luke Littler will clash with rising stars like Michael van Gerwen and Beau Greaves, adding intrigue. Dive into the world of darts with in-depth information and the latest updates.
Backstory of the PDC World Darts Championship
The Professional Darts Corporation, aka the World Darts Council, was founded in 1992 by the top 16 players. For this reason, the first PDC World Darts Championship was held in 1994 at the Circus Tavern in Essex. After PDC had a smaller following, the British Darts Organisation (BDO) later emerged, but it gained fame in darts. Next, the PDC World Darts Championship is most popular for its Sky Sports coverage and prize pool. However, the PDC World Darts Championship has since became the governing body in darts.
Phil Taylor won 14 PDC World Darts Championships from 1995 to 2013. Especially in 2008, the championship moved from the Circus Tavern to Alexandra Palace, cementing its status as the core of darts. On this occasion, players all over the world participated to win more titles, expanding competition beyond the UK. Explore all games with up-to-the-minute updates.
Impact on the 2026 Edition
Alexandre Palace’s festive environment and fan participation create a unique atmosphere for the World Darts Championship. In fact, this is the 33rd Professional Darts Corporation championship and the 19th held at Alexandra Palace. Naturally, London, England, is a significant city with prestigious transport links and a rich history of darts. Namely, Alexandra Palace, known as “Ally Pally,” has hosted the championship since 2008. At the same time, the PDC World Darts Championship contributes to darts’ spiritual home.
This location features mesmerizing architecture and modern entertainment, making it especially memorable. Otherwise, the PDC World Darts Championship is conducted during the Christmas and New Year season. Even so, West Hall will host the 2026 darts event; afterward it move to the Great Hall bringing nostalgia and fun. Check out all the PDC World Championship news; more recent news is here.
Event Details for PDC World Darts Championship 2026
Main Event: PDC World Darts Championship
Start On: December 11, 2025
Ends Off: January 3, 2026
Venue: Alexandra Palace, London, England.
Where can I watch the PDC World Darts Championship 2026?
Get ready, the PDC World Darts Championship 2026 will air on Sky Sports in the UK. Some multiple options, like NOW (NOW TV), give a flexible pass for non-Sky subscriber followers.
Don’t miss out on the Fox Sports channel for the PDC World Darts Championship 2026 for Australian viewers. Alternative access with Kayo Sports streaming that carries Fox Sports coverage.
You can access the PDC World Darts Championship 2026, which will stream on NBC Sports Now for USA followers. Otherwise, Peacock will stream live coverage from the Championship.
Experience about the PDC World Darts Championship 2026 will be broadcast on DAZN in Germany. Additionally, this event will be available for German audiences to highlight and comment on.
The PDC World Darts Championship 2026 will air on ESPN, especially for Indian fans.
What is the format for the PDC World Darts Championship 2026?
Besides, the new format of the PDC World Darts Championship adds 32 seeds that will begin the first-round tournament. After that, it was different from past years when seeds contributed in the second round. Even so, all matches will be played using the game of 501. In particular, players decrease their score from 501 to zero to win a leg, completing on a double or a bullseye.
Deciding the set, the first player to win at least three legs and lead by two or more will have a victory. Non-deciding sets will be best-of-five legs. In the deciding set, the first player to win at least three legs by two or more will win. Suppose, if there is a 5-5 tie, it will be unquestionable by a rapid death leg.
| Round | Best of sets | First to sets |
| First and second | 5 | 3 |
| Third and fourth | 7 | 4 |
| Quarter-Finals | 9 | 5 |
| Semi-Finals | 11 | 6 |
| Final | 13 | 7 |
New Rules
Moreover, international qualifiers will improve global representation. Every player must win the same number of events to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy. For this reason, an emerging talent pathway for expanded qualification, while increasing early match-ups, keeps fans engaged.
Moreover, this PDC World Darts Championship one of middle point with festive period. While, same entry points will moderate secure stable development for all participants. This year increases prize money even through attractive all participants with consistent performs. Additionally, joins this event will be superior international players.
Qualifiers for PDC World Darts Championship
| PDC Order of Merit | Pro Tour Order of Merit | International Qualifiers |
| Luke Littler (ENG) | Niko Springer (GER) | Lisa Ashton (ENG) |
| Luke Humphries (ENG) | William O’Connor (IRL) | Ryusei Azemoto [de] (JPN) |
| Michael van Gerwen (NED) | Niels Zonneveld (NED) | Andy Baetens (BEL) |
| Stephen Bunting (ENG) | Kevin Doets (NED) | Stefan Bellmont (SUI) |
| Jonny Clayton (WAL) | Karel Sedláček (CZE) | Stowe Buntz (USA) |
| Danny Noppert (NED) | Bradley Brooks (ENG) | Stephen Burton (ENG) |
| James Wade (ENG) | Jeffrey de Graaf (SWE) | David Cameron (CAN) |
| Chris Dobey (ENG) | Mickey Mansell (NIR) | Joe Comito (AUS) |
| Gerwyn Price (WAL) | Mario Vandenbogaerde (BEL) | David Davies (WAL) |
| Gian van Veen (NED) | Callan Rydz (ENG) | Tavis Dudeney (ENG) |
| Josh Rock (NIR) | Cam Crabtree (ENG) | Ted Evetts (ENG) |
| Ross Smith (ENG) | Ian White (ENG) | Leonard Gates (USA) |
| Martin Schindler (GER) | Sebastian Białecki (POL) | Adam Gawlas (CZE) |
| Gary Anderson (SCO) | Dom Taylor (ENG) | Beau Greaves (ENG) |
| Nathan Aspinall (ENG) | Richard Veenstra (NED) | Teemu Harju (FIN) |
| Damon Heta (AUS) | Madars Razma (LAT) | Andreas Harrysson (SWE) |
| Rob Cross (ENG) | Alan Soutar (SCO) | Gemma Hayter (ENG) |
| Mike De Decker (BEL) | Lukas Wenig (GER) | Jamai van den Herik [de] (NED) |
| Jermaine Wattimena (NED) | Kim Huybrechts (BEL) | Adam Hunt (ENG) |
| Ryan Searle (ENG) | Mensur Suljović (AUT) | Lourence Ilagan (PHI) |
| Dave Chisnall (ENG) | Gabriel Clemens (GER) | Krzysztof Kciuk (POL) |
| Daryl Gurney (NIR) | Thibault Tricole (FRA) | Mervyn King (ENG) |
| Dimitri Van den Bergh (BEL) | Matthew Dennant [de] (ENG) | Patrik Kovács (HUN) |
| Ryan Joyce (ENG) | Darren Beveridge [de] (SCO) | Boris Krčmar (CRO) |
| Luke Woodhouse (ENG) | Justin Hood (ENG) | Nitin Kumar (IND) |
| Cameron Menzies (SCO) | Wesley Plaisier (NED) | Man Lok Leung (HKG) |
| Ritchie Edhouse (ENG) | Steve Lennon (IRL) | Noa-Lynn van Leuven (NED) |
| Michael Smith (ENG) | Max Hopp (GER) | Paul Lim (SGP) |
| Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED) | Ryan Meikle (ENG) | Oskar Lukasiak (SWE) |
| Peter Wright (SCO) | James Hurrell (ENG) | Charlie Manby [de] (ENG) |
| Wessel Nijman (NED) | Nick Kenny (WAL) | Arno Merk [de] (GER) |
| Joe Cullen (ENG) | Matt Campbell (CAN) | David Munyua (KEN) |
| Ricardo Pietreczko (GER) | Keane Barry (IRL) | Paolo Nebrida (PHI) |
| Andrew Gilding (ENG) | Adam Lipscombe (ENG) | Haupai Puha (NZL) |
| Raymond van Barneveld (NED) | Darius Labanauskas (LIT) | Tim Pusey (AUS) |
| Scott Williams (ENG) | Dominik Grüllich (GER) | Cristo Reyes (ESP) |
| Krzysztof Ratajski (POL) | Chris Landman (NED) | Motomu Sakai [de] (JPN) |
| Martin Lukeman (ENG) | Owen Bates (ENG) | Jesús Sálate [de] (ARG) |
| Brendan Dolan (NIR) | Cor Dekker (NOR) | Adam Sevada [de] (USA) |
| Ricky Evans (ENG) | Connor Scutt (ENG) | Fallon Sherrock (ENG) |
| José de Sousa (POR) | ||
| Alex Spellman (USA) | ||
| Jonny Tata (NZL) | ||
| Mitsuhiko Tatsunami (JPN) | ||
| Alexis Toylo [de] (PHI) | ||
| Jurjen van der Velde (NED) | ||
| Simon Whitlock (AUS) | ||
| Xiaochen Zong (CHN) |
Schedule
| Date | Event Details |
| December 11, 2025 | Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 12, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 13, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 14, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 15, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 16, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 17, 2025 | Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 18, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 19, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 1) |
| December 20, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 2) |
| December 21, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 2) |
| December 22, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 2) |
| December 23, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 2 |
| December 27, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 3) |
| December 28, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 3) |
| December 29, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 3) |
| December 30, 2025 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Round 4) |
| January 1, 2026 | Afternoon and Evening Session (Quarter-Final) |
| January 2, 2026 | Evening Session (Semi-Final) |
| January 3, 2026 | Evening Session (Final) |
Prize Pool
| Position | Prize Money (Total: £5,000,000) |
| Winner (1) | £1,000,000 |
| Runner-up (1) | £400,000 |
| Semi-finalists (2) | £200,000 |
| Quarter-finalists (4) | £100,000 |
| Fourth round losers (8) | £60,000 |
| Third round losers (16) | £35,000 |
| Second round losers (32) | £25,000 |
| First round losers (64) | £15,000 |
| Nine-dart finish | £60,000 |
Prediction
Michael Smith vs Lisa Ashton
Michael Smith will clash with Lisa Ashton on December 11, 2025, at Alexandra Palace, London, England. They are meeting up for round 1 in the PDC World Darts Championship 2026.
Michael Smith secured wins over Kevin Doets at the UK Open and the World Championship. For instance, he maintained his qualification for the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts and his potential after personal struggles. In particular, an early loss, a shocking second-round World Championship over Kevin Doets, derailed his season. While he had a winning streak in 2023, he came back in 2025 to take a trophy.
Conversely, Lisa Ashton secured at the Women’s World Matchplay 2025, a major role of her career. Although, she remains a better physical condition for an age of 55, stirring younger female darters. While, her stamina, fast rising talents, with consistency performer in the darts world. Hence, Michael Smith will have a better chance to hold on to a triumph.
Luke Littler vs Darius Labanauskas
At Alexandra Palace, London, England, Luke Littler will encounter Darius Labanauskas on December 11, 2025. For round 1 in the PDC World Darts Championship 2026 showdown.
Luke Littler defeated Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final and became world champion at the surprising age of 17. Naturally, he claimed his first Matchplay title with James Wade. On the whole, littler had six PDC premier event titles, and he was ranked World No. 1 with Luke Humphries.
Correspondingly, Darius Labanauskas was the very first Lithuanian to clash at the PDC World Darts Championship in 2019. After that, he reached the quarter-final stage in 2020 for the PDC World Championship. Then, Labanauskas included the Lithuania Open, Riga Open, Estonia Open, and Latvian Open in 2024. Therefore, Luke Littler will, beyond doubt, take a win.
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