The festive frenzy of the PDC World Darts Championship is upon us once again, transforming London’s Alexandra Palace into a cauldron of cheers, tension, and the unmistakable thud of darts hitting the wire. As the mercury dips outside, the heat inside the iconic venue—affectionately dubbed “Ally Pally”—will be turned up to scorching levels starting this Thursday, December 11, 2025. For the first time in the tournament’s history, all 128 players enter the fray from round one, meaning no seeded byes and a grueling path for everyone, including the man at the top of the tree: 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler, the reigning world champion and freshly minted world number one. Dubbed “The Nuke” for his explosive scoring and unflappable demeanor, Littler enters this expanded £5 million extravaganza as the red-hot favorite to etch his name on the Sid Waddell Trophy for a second straight year. But with a record-breaking prize pot—£1 million for the winner, double last year’s haul—and a field swollen to include five women making history behind the oche, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Littler’s quest begins under the bright lights on opening night, and fans worldwide are already buzzing about what could be another chapter in the Warrington wizard’s fairy-tale rise.
Littler’s opening salvo comes against a familiar face from the Lithuanian ranks: Darius Labanauskas, a crafty veteran known for his steely resolve and a penchant for upsets. Labanauskas, who stunned the Ally Pally crowd by reaching the quarter-finals in the 2019/20 edition, brings a wealth of experience to the board. At 48, he’s the kind of opponent who thrives on grinding out legs, forcing errors from the flashy young guns. Their best-of-seven sets clash is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, at 9:00 PM GMT (that’s 4:00 PM ET for U.S. viewers, 1:00 PM PT), slotting in as the third match of the evening session. The full Thursday lineup kicks off at 7:00 PM GMT with a quartet of tantalizing ties: Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts versus qualifier Arno Merk, followed by a blockbuster between world number two Michael Smith and Women’s World Matchplay champ Lisa Ashton—marking one of the women’s landmark debuts. Then it’s 2022/23 king Michael Smith clashing with Ashton, before Razma versus van den Herik rounds out the early action. Littler’s tilt against Labanauskas promises to be the night’s marquee moment, with “The Nuke” aiming to channel the form that saw him demolish Dutch dynamo Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in last January’s final, becoming, at 17 years and 347 days, the youngest world champion in darts history.
Should Littler navigate this first hurdle—and history suggests he will, having dropped just one match in his previous two Worlds appearances—his second-round date is already penciled in for Sunday, December 14. The exact time will hinge on the tournament’s fluid scheduling, but expect it in the evening session, broadcast live as always. Littler’s draw places him in a half of the bracket loaded with potential fireworks: a possible third-round date with Joe Cullen or qualifier Bradley Brooks, a quarter-final showdown with the likes of Damon Heta or Steve Lennon, and semi-final intrigue against Gerwyn Price or Stephen Bunting. It’s a gauntlet that could culminate in a dream final rematch with Humphries or van Gerwen, but Littler remains laser-focused. “I’m here to defend my title, simple as that,” he said recently, his trademark confidence shining through after a November sweep that included triumphs at the Players Championship Finals and Grand Slam of Darts. That haul made him the youngest ever world number one, capping a 2025 that’s already seen him bag six majors, including the UK Open and World Matchplay.
What elevates this World Championship beyond the arrows is the sheer spectacle—the walk-on anthems blaring, the beer snakes weaving through ecstatic crowds, and the electric atmosphere that turns every 180 into a roar. Littler’s entrance, often to Green Day’s “Basket Case,” has become a ritual, drawing 16-year-old debutants and grizzled pros alike into the magic. Labanauskas, no stranger to the big stage, will counter with his own unflinching style, but Littler’s stats speak volumes: a blistering 102.6 average in recent knockout wins and a checkout rate hovering near 49%. “Darius is tough—he’s got that experience edge,” Littler acknowledged in a pre-tournament chat, “but I’ve been hitting my doubles clean, and that’s all that matters at Ally Pally.” For fans dreaming of another Littler masterclass, this opener could set the tone for a run that’s equal parts demolition and drama.
Catching the action couldn’t be easier, no matter where you are. In the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports Darts has exclusive live coverage, with overflow on Sky Sports Main Event for the busiest nights—sessions stream seamlessly via the Sky Go app for on-the-go viewing. Stateside, the tournament beams in via DAZN, offering every dart in crystal-clear HD with expert commentary from the likes of Wayne Mardle and Russ Bray, the legendary “Voice of Darts.” Across Europe, Viaplay delivers the goods, while PDC.tv serves as a global hub (with geo-restrictions in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). Free highlights and replays flood YouTube post-session, and for the truly devoted, Ally Pally tickets are still floating around resale sites, though the opening night frenzy sold out in hours. Prize money adds extra sizzle: £50,000 for a first-round win alone, scaling to that million-pound pinnacle, ensuring every leg counts.
As the 2025/26 edition unfolds from December 11 through January 3, 2026, Littler’s opener isn’t just a match—it’s the spark for three weeks of unbridled passion. Will “The Nuke” detonate early, or will Labanauskas script a festive shock? In a sport where fine margins rule, anything’s possible, but one thing’s certain: with Littler leading the charge, this Christmas carnival will be one for the ages. Tune in Thursday, grab your popcorn (or pint), and witness history in the making—because when the boy wonder steps up, the oche becomes a battlefield, and the world watches in awe.
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