The world of darts is braced for a seismic restart as the PDC World Darts Championship resumes at London's Alexandra Palace on Thursday, January 1, 2026. After a short break for New Year's Eve, the tournament moves into its high-stakes quarter-final stage, headlined by the sport's defining modern rivalry between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.
The Stage Is Set for Ally Pally Showdown
The action kicks off with an afternoon session at 12.30pm, featuring Jonny Clayton against Ryan Searle followed by Gary Anderson taking on Justin Hood. The spotlight then intensifies in the evening session from 7pm, where reigning champion Luke Littler faces Krzysztof Ratajski. His great rival, Luke Humphries, will then step up to oche to play Gian van Veen, with both stars aiming to secure a semi-final berth.
A Rivalry Forged at the Top of the Game
Littler and Humphries have dominated the sport, claiming an astonishing 16 of the last 23 major titles between them. Their competition reached a new zenith in late 2025 when Littler officially dethroned Humphries to become the World No.1. Reflecting on the shift, Humphries told 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 the friendly respect, the competitive fire burns fiercely. After a loss 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."
A Sibling Dynamic Fuelling the Fire
Beyond the competition lies a unique bond. Humphries has revealed he views the teenage sensation almost like family, having known him since he was a child. "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," Humphries said last month. "I’ve known him since he was 12 or 13, and I always knew he could be a fantastic player."
Littler acknowledges their ongoing battle is the driving force of the sport. Speaking in November, the champion stated: "I think we've been fighting 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. There's still many more years left in me and Luke."
Littler's Matured Response to Ally Pally Pressure
The defending champion also addressed the unexpected reaction he received from the crowd in his previous match, where he was met with boos. The teenager hit back on stage, saying: "You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me."
Reflecting on those comments, Littler showed his growing maturity. "I think I lost (my head), it’s still on there," he admitted. "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." He added that he is prepared for a tough atmosphere as he defends his title: "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."
As the championship reaches its climax, all eyes are on whether the 'older brother' Humphries can reclaim his crown or if the phenomenal Littler will continue his reign at the pinnacle of world darts.
