Luke Littler: The Rise of a Champion
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy, makes his awaited return to Alexandra Palace, now donning the prestigious title of world No.1 and standing as the defending world champion. His journey through the sport has been remarkable, and fans are eager to see how he handles the pressure of his dual status in the high-stakes environment of the World Darts Championship.
Aiming for Glory
This year, Littler is on a mission to join the elite ranks of legends like Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson, aiming to become only the fourth player ever to successfully defend the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy. As the tournament unfolds, the buzz is palpable: will we witness a Littler vs. Luke Humphries final, a matchup that has captivated fans throughout this season, or could a new contender rise to take the title come January 3?
Tracking Progress and Upcoming Matches
The Sporting News will keep fans informed of Luke Littler’s progress throughout the tournament, updating on upcoming matches and the path he carves through the competition. Commencing his title defense with a formidable 3-0 victory against former quarterfinalist Darius Labanauskas, Littler continued his strong showing, accomplishing another 3-0 win against David Davies.
Path to the Semifinals
Littler’s skills became increasingly apparent as he defeated Mensur Suljovic without losing a leg, whitewashing the veteran player 4-0. He then overcame former world champion Rob Cross 4-2 to advance to the quarterfinals, demonstrating both precision and mental resilience. In a stunning performance, he outclassed Krzysztof Ratajski 5-0, securing his place in the semifinals, where he eliminated Ryan Searle with an impressive 6-1 victory.
Looking Ahead: Match Schedule
Next on Littler’s agenda is a confrontation with Gian Van Veen on Saturday, January 3, at 2:30 p.m. ET. As the excitement builds, darts enthusiasts around the globe are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying matchup.
Match Schedule and Results from the Championship
| Opponent | Round | Date, time (ET), result |
| Darius Labanauskas | Round 1 | Won 3-0 |
| David Davies | Round 2 | Won 3-0 |
| Mensur Suljovic | Round 3 | Won 4-0 |
| Rob Cross | Round 4 | Won 4-2 |
| Krzysztof Ratajski | Quarterfinals | Won 5-0 |
| Ryan Searle | Semifinals | Won 6-1 |
| Gian van Veen | Final | Saturday, Jan 3 (2:30 p.m. ET) |
Historical Performance: World Darts Championship Results
Examining Luke Littler’s trajectory at the World Darts Championship reveals his undeniable talent. His journey includes:
| Year | Result |
| 2023/24 | Runner-up |
| 2024/25 | Champion |
How to Watch the Championships
Fans in the U.S. can catch all the action of the World Darts Championship 2025/26 via Peacock, which streams over 100 hours of live coverage. The semifinals and finals will also be accessible on NBC Sports NOW, complemented by a highlights show airing on NBC on January 4 at 12:30 ET. For dedicated supporters, subscribing to the PDC’s official streaming service PDC TV offers additional perks, including early access to PDC tickets.
World Darts Championship Schedule
The thrilling World Darts Championship 2025/26 runs from December 11 to January 3 at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London, England. Below is a comprehensive overview of notable dates and session times for fans:
| Date | Stage | Start Time (GMT) | US (ET) |
| Thursday, December 11 | Round 1 | 7 p.m. | 2 p.m. |
| Friday, December 12 | Round 1 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 13 | Round 1 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Sunday, December 14 | Round 1 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Monday, December 15 | Round 1 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Tuesday, December 16 | Round 1 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Wednesday, December 17 | Round 1 | 7 p.m. | 2 p.m. |
| Thursday, December 18 | Round 1 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Friday, December 19 | Round 1 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 20 | Round 2 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Sunday, December 21 | Round 2 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Monday, December 22 | Round 2 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Tuesday, December 23 | Round 2 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 27 | Round 3 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Sunday, December 28 | Round 3 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Monday, December 29 | Round 3 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Tuesday, December 30 | Round 4 | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Thursday, January 1 | Quarterfinals | 12:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
| Friday, January 2 | Semifinals | 7:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, January 3 | Final | 8 p.m. | 3 p.m. |
Prize Money Breakdown
The stakes at the World Darts Championship 2025/26 are higher than ever, with an impressive total prize fund of £5,000,000 (approx. $6,661,284). The winner is set to take home a substantial £1,000,000 (approx. $1,332,396), highlighting just how significant each match is in the pursuit of glory:
- Winner – £1,000,000 ($1,332,396)
- Runner-up – £400,000 ($532,737)
- Semifinal losers – £200,000 ($266,428)
- Quarterfinal losers – £100,000 ($133,214)
- Round 4 losers – £60,000 ($79,943)
- Round 3 losers – £35,000 ($46,633)
- Round 2 losers – £25,000 ($33,310)
- Round 1 losers – £15,000 ($19,986)
