The PDC World Darts Championship has returned with a vengeance after the festive break, with the iconic Alexandra Palace now hosting the high-stakes last 16 stage. A record field of 128 players began the quest for the Sid Waddell Trophy, and the tournament is now boiling down to its most crucial phase, with a staggering £1,000,000 prize awaiting the eventual champion.
Heavyweight Clash Headlines Ally Pally Action
All eyes on Tuesday evening will be on a titanic last-16 battle between two modern legends. Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen faces the formidable challenge of two-time winner Gary Anderson, in a match that promises fireworks. World number one and defending champion Luke Littler remains the favourite, having powered into the fourth round with a 4-2 victory over Rob Cross on Monday night. His expected toughest rival, 2024 champion Luke Humphries, also advanced, setting up a potential blockbuster final.
The tournament has already witnessed its fair share of drama and surprises. Former champion Gerwyn Price suffered a shock third-round exit at the hands of Wesley Plaisier, while world number six Danny Noppert was undone by inspired debutant Justin Hood. Top-10 stalwart James Wade also fell in a thrilling match against Ricky Evans, proving the Ally Pally stage is ripe for upsets.
Schedule and Key Results
The action continues apace on Tuesday, 30 December, with the fourth round (best of seven sets). The afternoon session kicks off at 12:30 GMT featuring Luke Woodhouse v Krzysztof Ratajski, Jonny Clayton v Andreas Harrysson, and Justin Hood v Josh Rock. The evening session at 19:00 GMT is headlined by the Van Gerwen v Anderson clash, alongside Charlie Manby v Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries v Kevin Doets.
After a break on New Year's Eve, the quarter-finals (best of nine sets) will be played on Thursday, 1 January, followed by the semi-finals (best of 11 sets) on Friday, 2 January. The tournament culminates with the final (best of 13 sets) on Saturday, 3 January at 20:00 GMT.
Notable results from the earlier rounds include:
- Luke Littler's dominant 4-0 win over Mensur Suljovic in the third round.
- Gary Anderson's narrow 4-3 victory against Jermaine Wattimena to reach the last 16.
- Justin Hood's fairytale run continuing with a 4-1 win over Ryan Meikle.
- Ryan Searle's impressive 4-0 whitewash of Martin Schindler.
With the field narrowing and the pressure intensifying, every dart at the Ally Pally now carries the weight of a world title dream. The coming days will determine who can hold their nerve and claim the sport's ultimate crown.
