The path to darts glory will become clearer today as the draw for the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship takes place, with defending champion Luke Littler set to learn his first opponent.
How The Championship Draw Works
This year's tournament features a record-breaking 128 players, all entering at the first round in a significant format change. The top 64 players from the PDC Order of Merit will be randomly drawn onto one side of the bracket, while the remaining 64 qualifiers will fill the opposite side, creating the complete path to the £1 million top prize.
World number one Luke 'The Nuke' Littler, who became the youngest ever world champion in January, knows he will be the top seed. However, the random nature of the draw means he could face tough early challenges from qualifiers like Beau Greaves, Mervyn King, Niko Springer, or 2010 finalist Simon Whitlock.
How To Watch The Draw For Free
Darts fans won't want to miss Monday's draw ceremony, scheduled for 4.30 PM GMT. While coverage is available on Sky Sports News and the Sky Sports app, those without a subscription can watch completely free of charge via the official Sky Sports Darts YouTube channel.
The announcement comes just over two weeks before the tournament begins at London's Alexandra Palace on December 11. The championship will feature three weeks of action with breaks over the Christmas period, culminating in the final on January 3, 2026.
Littler Faces Stiff Competition
The teenage sensation's quest for back-to-back titles won't be easy, with the sport's elite including Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, and Gerwyn Price all determined to halt his progress. The strength of the opposition drawn in his section will significantly influence his chances of retaining the Sid Waddell Trophy.
With anticipation building for darts' biggest event, today's draw marks the official starting pistol for what promises to be an unforgettable tournament at Ally Pally.
