World Darts Championship 2025: Record Prize and Defending Champion Luke Littler Set for Alexandra Palace Showdown

Introduction: A New Era for Darts’ Premier Event

The world of professional darts is preparing for its most significant tournament yet as the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship features an expanded field of 128 players competing for an unprecedented £1 million top prize at London’s Alexandra Palace from December 11, 2025 to January 3, 2026. This represents a doubling of prize money from the previous year and marks a watershed moment for the sport, which has experienced explosive growth following the emergence of teenage sensation Luke Littler.

Luke Littler: The Defending Champion

Luke Littler made history in 2025 by becoming the sport’s youngest-ever World Champion aged just 17, defeating three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in a commanding 7-3 victory at Alexandra Palace. Now 18 years old, Littler is the defending champion at Alexandra Palace and has added several more major trophies to his fast-growing collection in 2025, including the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals. The reigning world number one will begin his defence of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship on the opening night of the 2025/26 tournament against Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas.

Expanded Format and Record Prize Fund

The tournament’s expansion from 96 to 128 players represents the biggest edition in PDC history, with players competing for the Sid Waddell Trophy and a record £5 million prize fund. This growth reflects the sport’s increasing popularity and commercial success, particularly following what has been dubbed the ‘Littler effect’. The championship runs for nearly a month, with round three and round four taking place after a three-day Christmas break on December 27, followed by quarter-finals on New Year’s Day, semi-finals on January 2 and the final on January 3.

The Competition and Key Contenders

While Littler enters as the overwhelming favourite, several players pose credible challenges. Luke Humphries remains the most credible challenger, as his peak game still threatens Littler more than anyone else’s, though his autumn results have dipped at the wrong moment. Other notable contenders include Gian van Veen, who heads to Ally Pally with momentum firmly behind him following a European Championship win and possessing the scoring power to trouble absolutely anyone. Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen and former champions Gary Anderson and Peter Wright also feature in the field.

Conclusion: Significance for Darts and Sporting Culture

The 2025/26 World Darts Championship represents more than just a sporting competition—it symbolises darts’ arrival as a mainstream entertainment phenomenon. The unprecedented prize money and expanded field demonstrate the sport’s financial health and global appeal. For viewers, the tournament promises nearly four weeks of high-quality competition, dramatic moments, and the opportunity to witness whether teenage phenomenon Luke Littler can successfully defend his title and further cement his legacy as one of darts’ all-time greats. With comprehensive television coverage across multiple platforms and sessions running from mid-afternoon through evening, Alexandra Palace is set to become the epicentre of the sporting world as 2025 draws to a close.