The PDC World Darts Championship has returned with a vengeance after the Christmas break, with the iconic Alexandra Palace now hosting the high-stakes last 16 stage. A record field of 128 of the world's best players began the quest for the Sid Waddell Trophy, with the winner set to bank a life-changing £1,000,000.
Heavyweight Clash Headlines Last 16 Action
The tournament's business end is already delivering blockbuster match-ups. The standout tie of the fourth round sees three-time champion Michael van Gerwen lock horns with two-time winner Gary Anderson in a heavyweight contest that promises fireworks. World number one and defending champion Luke Littler remains the strong favourite, having navigated his way past Rob Cross in a tense fourth-round match. His potential toughest challenger, 2024 champion Luke Humphries, is also through after defeating Gabriel Clemens and now faces Kevin Doets.
The Ally Pally atmosphere has already inspired several seismic shocks, proving no player is safe. Former world champion Gerwyn Price suffered a stunning third-round exit at the hands of Wesley Plaisier. Top-10 stalwart James Wade was edged out in a thriller by Ricky Evans, while world number six Danny Noppert was undone by an inspired debutant, Justin Hood, who continues his fairytale run.
Schedule and Key Results
The action continues at a rapid pace as the field narrows. The last 16 matches are spread across the afternoon and evening sessions on Tuesday, 30 December. Following a break on New Year's Eve, the tournament moves into the quarter-finals on New Year's Day, the semi-finals on 2 January, and culminates in the final on Saturday, 3 January.
Key results from the earlier rounds include:
- Luke Littler's dominant 4-0 victory over Mensur Suljovic and his 4-2 win against Rob Cross.
- Michael van Gerwen's 4-1 dismissal of Arno Merk to set up the clash with Anderson.
- Justin Hood's remarkable 4-1 win over Ryan Meikle to reach the last 16.
- Ryan Searle's impressive 4-0 whitewash of Martin Schindler and subsequent 4-0 win over James Hurrell.
The Road to the Final
With the field now pared down to the sport's elite, every set becomes critical. The format intensifies from best of seven sets in the last 16 to best of nine in the quarter-finals, best of 11 in the semi-finals, and a gruelling best of 13 sets for the world final. All eyes will be on whether Luke Littler can handle the immense pressure of being the man to beat, or if a veteran like Van Gerwen or a surging contender like Luke Humphries can dethrone him. The unique, raucous atmosphere of Alexandra Palace guarantees drama until the final dart is thrown.
