The PDC World Darts Championship is the biggest and most prestigious tournament in professional darts, held annually at Alexandra Palace in north London over the festive period from mid-December to early January. Featuring a field of 96 players (expanded to 128 from the 2025/26 edition) competing for a prize fund that has reached 5 million pounds, the tournament has become one of the most watched sporting events on British television and a cultural fixture of the Christmas and New Year calendar.
What is the PDC World Darts Championship?
The PDC World Darts Championship is the annual world championship of the Professional Darts Corporation. It was first held in 1994 as the WDC World Darts Championship, following the split between the World Darts Council and the British Darts Organisation. The tournament has since grown into the sport’s premier event, eclipsing all other darts competitions in terms of prize money, prestige, and global viewership.
The format is a straight knockout competition played over sets, with matches increasing in length as the tournament progresses. First-round matches are best of five sets, building to a best of 13 sets final. Each set is won by the first player to win three legs (unless the score reaches 2-2, when a deciding fifth leg is played). The tournament features both seeded professionals from the PDC Order of Merit and qualifiers from around the world.
When is the PDC World Darts Championship?
The tournament traditionally runs from mid-December to early January, spanning the Christmas and New Year period. The 2025/26 edition ran from 11 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, with 36 sessions held across 20 playing days. There is a scheduled break on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve. Sessions are typically split into afternoon (12:30 start) and evening (19:00 start) slots.
The opening rounds take place in the first week, with the second and third rounds filling the pre-Christmas period. The tournament resumes after the Christmas break with the fourth round and quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals and final in the first days of January.
Where is the PDC World Darts Championship?
The tournament has been held at Alexandra Palace (known as “Ally Pally”) in north London since 2008. The Grade II listed entertainment venue, which first opened in 1873, is situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey. The nearest stations are Wood Green (Piccadilly line) and Alexandra Palace (National Rail from King’s Cross/Moorgate).
The tournament was staged in the West Hall, which has a capacity of approximately 3,500. From the 2026/27 edition onwards, the event will move into Alexandra Palace’s larger Great Hall, increasing capacity to over 5,000 per session and total tournament attendance to around 180,000. Prior to 2008, the Championship was held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, from 1994 to 2007.
Key Contenders
The 2025/26 edition was dominated by Luke Littler, who retained his title with a devastating 7-1 victory over the Netherlands’ Gian van Veen in the final. Littler averaged 106, hit 16 maximums (180s), and pinned 46 per cent of his doubles. He conceded just four sets across the entire tournament and recorded 73 maximums overall, winning the “Ballon d’Art” award for most 180s.
At just 18 years old, Littler became only the fourth player in PDC history to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy, following Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson. His dominance marks him as the most exciting talent the sport has produced since Taylor’s prime years.
Other leading contenders for future editions include world number two Luke Humphries (the 2024 champion), three-time champion Michael van Gerwen, and an emerging generation of young European players including Van Veen. The depth of talent in the PDC means the tournament consistently produces upsets and dramatic matches throughout the draw.
How to Watch the PDC World Darts Championship
United Kingdom: Sky Sports holds exclusive live broadcasting rights. All sessions are shown on Sky Sports Darts, with key sessions also on Sky Sports Main Event. Streaming is available via the Sky Sports app and NOW (day passes from 14.99 pounds).
United States: Peacock streams over 100 hours of live coverage, using the Sky Sports production.
Europe and worldwide: DAZN and Viaplay carry coverage across various European territories. The PDC’s own streaming service, PDCTV, provides international coverage in territories not served by other broadcast partners.
Australia: Fox Sports and Kayo Sports provide coverage. In other territories, check local listings or PDCTV for availability.
History and Records
The PDC World Darts Championship has been contested annually since 1994, when Dennis Priestley won the inaugural edition. Phil Taylor dominated the tournament for nearly two decades, winning a record 14 PDC world titles between 1995 and 2013. His 16 combined world titles (including two BDO titles) represent the greatest individual achievement in the sport’s history.
Other multiple champions include Michael van Gerwen (2014, 2017, 2019), Gary Anderson (2015, 2016), Adrian Lewis (2011, 2012), Peter Wright (2020, 2022), and Luke Littler (2025, 2026). Thirteen different players have lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy since the tournament’s inception.
The tournament has witnessed 16 nine-dart finishes, the perfect leg in darts. Adrian Lewis was the first to achieve the feat in a World Championship final (2011), and Michael Smith replicated it in the 2023 final against Van Gerwen. The prize fund has grown from 64,000 pounds in 1994 to 5 million pounds in 2025/26, with the winner’s cheque reaching 1 million pounds for the first time.
Luke Littler’s emergence has transformed the sport’s profile. His run to the 2024 final at just 16 years old, followed by back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026, has driven record television audiences and ticket demand. Sessions at Alexandra Palace now sell out within hours of going on sale.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the PDC World Darts Championship are sold through the official PDC ticketing page and See Tickets. They typically go on sale in the summer (around August) and sell out extremely quickly, particularly for evening sessions, semi-finals, and the final. The “Littler effect” has driven unprecedented demand in recent years.
Standard tiered seating offers the most affordable option, with prices varying by session and proximity to the stage. Table seats closer to the oche command a premium. Hospitality packages are available through the PDC’s official hospitality partners, including premium food and drink, close-up viewing positions, and meet-and-greet opportunities.
The atmosphere at Ally Pally is unique in sport: fancy dress is encouraged, singing is constant, and the crowd plays an active role in the spectacle. First-time attendees should be prepared for a party atmosphere rather than a quiet sporting event.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the PDC World Darts Championship start?
The tournament typically begins in mid-December, around 11 to 15 December, and runs until early January. The 2025/26 edition ran from 11 December 2025 to 3 January 2026.
Where is the PDC World Darts Championship held?
Alexandra Palace in north London has hosted the event since 2008. From the 2026/27 edition, it moves to the venue’s larger Great Hall, increasing capacity to over 5,000 per session.
How can I watch the PDC World Darts Championship?
In the UK, Sky Sports has exclusive live coverage. In the US, Peacock streams all sessions. Internationally, DAZN, Viaplay, and PDCTV provide coverage depending on territory.
Who has won the most PDC World Darts Championships?
Phil Taylor holds the record with 14 PDC world titles (16 including his two BDO titles). Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson are among the active multiple champions.
How do I get tickets for the PDC World Darts Championship?
Tickets go on sale through See Tickets and the PDC website, typically in August. They sell out very quickly. Sign up for PDC newsletters and follow their social media channels for sale announcements.