Every Christmas, the sporting world becomes a party, during one of the fiercest competitions of the year

Image : Red Dragon Darts

By Evan Dalton 

For some people, Christmas starts with the slightly annoying melodic tones of Mariah Carey. For others, it’s the office christmas party, when someone from HR has a few too many sherries. For most, it’s when the tree goes up, the lights come on and the family is together. 

For sports fans, it’s when the World Darts Championship begins at Alexandra Palace. 

The darts at ‘Ally Pally’ is not a competition, it’s a culture. Bring everything you know about professional sports to the table, and throw it out, that doesn’t matter here. The best players in the world are put under extreme pressure from the offset, by players who have spawned in from the unknown. This venue owes you absolutely nothing. If you play bad, you lose, simple as. Even if darts is far from the most physically demanding sport in the world, the mental strain placed upon your mind every time you step up to the oche, knows no bounds.  

The majority of this comes from the fans. Alexandra Palace first opened in 1873, as an exhibition centre located in Alexandra Park. It was formerly known as the home to the greatest concert organ in Europe, now it is a cauldron of 3,200 per night in the West Hall. 

This competition is a party for the fans. There are no nerves here. The fans will sing, about everything and anything. While writing this very piece, they are chanting about a sausage roll. 

It is the only competition in the world where a world class player, who has dreamed of playing at a world championship level since age 10, can be put off their game because a 40 year welder from Scunthorpe, dressed in a deadly accurate Princess Peach costume, started to chant about former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure. 

And if you think that’s an over exaggeration, that happens every, single, game. 

Despite the whimsical crowd shenanigans, this competition is ferocious. 128 players enter, 1 will be crowned the winner. There are no second chances, if you lose, you’re out. It is the ultimate test of individual performance. There is no guarantee that you win, no matter how good you are. Every dart thrown must end up in his designated target. This is the world championship, every player has earned their right to be here. You must qualify through your ranking, or Pro Tour ranking events throughout the year. Any player can and will punish a poor performance from those at the top.  

In terms of the victory, there is a few to watch : 

Luke Littler

The reigning champion, Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is undeniably the favourite for victory once again. At just 18 years old, the Warrington native is the face of the sport. This year alone he has become the world number one, earned back to back Grand Slam titles, won the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, UK Open, Players Championship Finals, and hit the most 180’s this year. There is, and arguably never has been, a player with the current form of Littler. 

Littler faced Darius Labanauskas of Lithuania in his first round match and cruised through with a three dart average of 101.54. If Littler was to become back to back World Champion, he would be the first to do so since Gary Anderson in 2016. The pressure is immense, but Littler at the oche is a wise head on young shoulders. He told SkySports “I think obviously winning titles comes with experience, but I think from a young age I've just got my head down and I want to win these games. No one can get in my head because if you say something to me, I'll block it out and I'll just get on with my job."

Image : PDC

Luke Humphries

Littler’s fellow namesake, and the closest rival of his young career, is once again his biggest nemesis to world title glory. Humphries was world number 1 until just a few weeks ago, having defeated Littler to become world champion in 2024. Humphries cruised past Ted Evetts with ease in round one, setting up a match-up against 71 year old fan favourite, Paul Lim. 

With Littler and Humphries on opposite sides of the tournament bracket, the likelihood of a Luke vs Luke final once again is almost expected by the general public, but by no way guaranteed. 

Image : PDC Europe

Gian Van Veen 

Van Veen, known as ‘The Giant,’ is The Netherlands' answer to Littler. At just 23 years of age [which even I will admit seems old in comparison to Littler]. Van Veen won his first major in 2025, defeating Humphries to win the European Championship. He also defended his PDC World Youth Championship title. Although he lost 3-1 in the early stages of the previous World Championship to Ricardo Pietreczko, he is one of the book makers favourites. 

Image: Sky Sports

An Irish Chance?

The best of the Irish hopefuls is Brendan Dolan. Although placed as a 500/1 outsider for the title, Dolan always performs on the biggest stage. The Fermanagh native, known as ‘The History Maker’ due to becoming the first darts player to hit a nine dart finish, when starting on a double, beat England's Tavis Dudeney 3-1 in a tricky contest. Although a championship may be a long shot for an Irish player this year, Dolan, alongside Limerick man Willie O’Conor and youngster Keane Barry, will look to produce some big upsets. Steve Lennon unfortunately lost his first round tie against Australia’s Damon Heta.

Image : Sky Sports

Planet Funk’s ‘Chase The Sun’ is loaded into the music software, the costumes are at the ready, and Alexandra Palace is prepared to be casted upon televisions around the world.