For sports fans, Christmas arrives when players step onto the iconic Alexandra Palace stage for the much-anticipated World Darts Championship. This annual event has become a staple in the winter sports calendar, showcasing the remarkable skills of the world’s best dart players. Excitement builds as fans and players alike gear up for the thrill of competition in one of the sport’s most storied venues.
In 2025, the championship made headlines when Luke Littler became the youngest winner of the PDC World Darts Championship, clinching the title at just 17 years and 348 days old. As Littler returns as the youngest player in the tournament once again, his record stands firm, effectively ensuring that it won’t be broken this year. Fans are left to wonder what other records might fall as the tournament unfolds.
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With an expanded field of 128 players, up from 96 last year, the chances of breaking records for the most 180s in a PDC World Darts Championship are significantly heightened. This year’s tournament will feature a staggering 127 matches—more than the previous year’s 95—leading many to speculate that the record-setting total of 901 180s from 2023 is destined to be surpassed.
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Among the legendary figures returning to the stage is the iconic Paul Lim, affectionately known as the ‘Singapore Slinger.’ Lim made history in 2022 by becoming the oldest player to compete in the PDC World Darts Championship, appearing at the age of 67 years and 326 days. His enduring presence in the darts scene has captivated fans for decades.
However, Lim faces a challenging first-round match against Jeffrey de Graaf on Saturday, December 13th. Should he advance, it’s likely he would face off against former champion Luke Humphries, making Lim’s path to the later rounds a steep climb. Despite not reaching the last 16 of a PDC premier event since 2001, his illustrious career still resonates with fans, particularly for his historic achievement of hitting the first World Championship nine-dart finish in 1990.
Fans will also keep an eye on the pursuit of the highest three-dart average in the tournament, a record currently held by Michael van Gerwen, set in 2017 with a remarkable average of 114.05. This match also famously featured Raymond Van Barneveld achieving the highest losing match average with 109.34, highlighting the extraordinary talent present at the highest level of competition.
Additionally, spectators are on the lookout for another record: the most players to score a televised nine-dart finish in a single day, first achieved on December 14, 2013, by Terry Jenkins and the late Kyle Anderson. Such records not only add excitement to the championship but also contribute to the rich narrative that surrounds the event.
As the darts world converges on Alexandra Palace once again, fans and players alike eagerly await the potential for record-breaking moments, thrilling matches, and the chance to witness history in the making, solidifying the World Darts Championship’s status as a premier sporting event.
