O/T World Darts Championship

This is normally a popular topic on here.

The 2026 World Darts Championship gets underway on Thursday and finishes on January 3rd.

Once again, the two Lukes go in as the favourites. Humphries will be looking to get back the title from Littler, who won last year - and with it, the world number one spot. Littler reached world number one for the first time earlier this year and goes into this tournament in that spot and as World Champion.

Littler is in action on the opening night, with Humphries playing his first game on Saturday.

The tournament is expanded this year, with 128 players and the top seeds enter in the First Round instead of the Second Round. The winner will receive £1m for the first time.

Other than the two Lukes, there are a number of players seen as dark horses - Gian Van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Michael Van Gerwen and Josh Rock amongst them.

I wonder if we're about to see Litler dominate like Taylor did

Let’s go Gezzy

Should be a Luke/Luke final unless someone plays out of thier skin against them.
The Rock or price are more than capable of out scoring them on thier day but probably need the lukes to have a bit shocker.
The crowds are never good too Price in Ally Palky
Gian Van Veen is my dark horse.

Littler, Michael Smith, Razma and Merk win on night one.

Ryan Searle and Rob Cross are the seeds in Friday's afternoon session.

Rob Cross gets the first 170 checkout of the tournament on Day Two.

This Ross Smith is quality

This Ross Smith is quality

Until it came to doubles. Threw it away in the end.

First seed to go out after looking certain to win at 2-1 up, but missed multiple match darts.

Sorry, missed the word 'match' after Smith

Humphries made it through today.

But the headline is Paul Lim making the Second Round at the age 71. He will play Humphries next.

Cameron Menzines punching the drinks table after losing

Cameron Menzines punching the drinks table after losing

Didn't see the afternoon session, but just seen the clip.

Like was said by Mardle on the evening session now, he's obviously completely lost his head and will get some sort of punishment.

Clayton on tonight. Come on Wales

Cameron Menzines punching the drinks table after losing

He was stopping the pyro flares with his hand, also. He's struggling mentally; hard watch and some of the abuse he's getting is sad.

He needs a bit of a break I'd say.

Is anyone watching De Decker v Munyua?

What a match.

Is anyone watching De Decker v Munyua?

What a match.

Very good match and fair play to munyua on his great result, also really enjoyed Tricole v Sakai, that sakai is one hell of a character haha

Is anyone watching De Decker v Munyua?

What a match.

I did! Some of these debutants have been outstanding. You can see the global reach over darts in just 12 months!

Is anyone watching De Decker v Munyua?

What a match.

I did! Some of these debutants have been outstanding. You can see the global reach over darts in just 12 months!

Loving the debutants, really adding a lot to this tournament and the sport seems to be bigger than ever globally.

Is anyone watching De Decker v Munyua?

What a match.

Very good match and fair play to munyua on his great result, also really enjoyed Tricole v Sakai, that sakai is one hell of a character haha

Sakai is an amazing character, his walk on and joining in with the crowd chants when he won a set were brilliant.

Anyone watching Hayter - Rock????

Is anyone watching De Decker v Munyua?

What a match.

Very good match and fair play to munyua on his great result, also really enjoyed Tricole v Sakai, that sakai is one hell of a character haha

Sakai is an amazing character, his walk on and joining in with the crowd chants when he won a set were brilliant.

I missed that one! Im trying to cram is as much as possible. Already seen some top notch matches!!!

Drugs test failure for the ferrets next opponent?

Is anyone watching De Decker v Munyua?

What a match.

Very good match and fair play to munyua on his great result, also really enjoyed Tricole v Sakai, that sakai is one hell of a character haha

Sakai is an amazing character, his walk on and joining in with the crowd chants when he won a set were brilliant.

I missed that one! Im trying to cram is as much as possible. Already seen some top notch matches!!!

Been busy today so missed the afternoon session, but quite an upset by Leonard Gates to win.

Drugs test failure for the ferrets next opponent?

Just seen that. Not the first time Dom Taylor has been caught out with the drug testing. Clearly has some issues.

Clayton now gets a bye to Round Three.

I wonder how Phil Taylor in his prime would have got on in today's game?
No doubt he would have been a force. I'm not sure he would have dominated like he did in the 90s and 2000s

I wonder how Phil Taylor in his prime would have got on in today's game?
No doubt he would have been a force. I'm not sure he would have dominated like he did in the 90s and 2000s

How does the averages compare?

I think people forget how good The Power was.

Taylor in his prime would be right up there with the Lukes.

He wouldn't win as much because they'd be more competitive with him, but he would definitely compete with them probably better than anyone today is.

Taylor's focus and powers of concentration were immense

I think that is key though isn't it. Keeping up the concentration for that amount of time and under that pressure is the difference