The stage is set for a dramatic resumption of darts' defining rivalry as the PDC World Darts Championship returns to Alexandra Palace for its quarter-final stage on Thursday, January 1, 2026. After a short break over New Year's Eve, the action resumes with the sport's two biggest stars, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, once again at the forefront of the conversation.
The Battle for Supremacy Resumes
The afternoon session kicks off at 12.30pm with matches featuring Jonny Clayton against Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson taking on Justin Hood. The spotlight then intensifies in the evening session from 7pm, where reigning champion Luke Littler faces Krzysztof Ratajski before world number two Luke Humphries meets Gian van Veen. Their parallel paths through the tournament keep alive the tantalising prospect of another final showdown between the pair who have dominated the sport, winning 16 of the last 23 major titles between them.
A Rivalry Forged in Respect and Fire
The dynamic between the two Lukes reached a new peak in late 2025 when Littler officially overtook Humphries to become the World Number One. Humphries, the former champion, reflected on the shift, telling talkSPORT: "It just felt like the world was waiting for Luke to overtake me. There were no things about how I could stay at world No1. It was all about how Luke could get to world No. 1."
Despite this public respect, the competitive fire burns fiercely. After losing to Littler in the World Grand Prix final in October, Humphries issued a stark warning: "I have to just get better. I have to work harder. If I don't, he will walk away with it all the time. I need to work harder than I ever have because I want to match him." Littler, speaking in November, acknowledges the relentless nature of their contest: "I think we've been fighting a war with each other for the past two years and it's only going to continue. We're only going to get better and we're only going to produce even more."
The 'Older Brother' Dynamic
Adding a unique layer to their professional battle is a personal connection Humphries has openly discussed. He revealed he views Littler almost like a sibling, stating last month: "Do I feel almost like an older brother to Luke? Yeah, in a way I do because I’m probably the only person to really know who he was before. I’ve known him since he was 12 or 13, and I always knew he could be a fantastic player."
As the defending champion, Littler also displayed newfound maturity in handling crowd pressure during the tournament. After being booed in his previous match at Ally Pally, he responded: "You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me." He later reflected, "I think I lost (my head), it’s still on there. Two years ago I think I would have started throwing my darts left-handed, but that is how much I have grown, how much I have matured." Heading into his quarter-final, he is prepared for anything: "That’s the first time I’ve been at the World Championships and the crowd have not wanted me to win. I will expect the worst on New Year’s Day and whatever happens will happen."
With the PDC World Darts Championship quarter-finals upon us, all eyes are on Alexandra Palace. The rivalry between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries – a blend of fierce competition, deep respect, and an almost familial bond – continues to be the compelling heartbeat of modern darts, promising high drama as the quest for the Sid Waddell Trophy reaches its climax.
