By Luca Jarman
Luke Littler must go into the tournament as the clear favourite. He has won six PDC majors over the last year, including the World Matchplay, his retention of the Grand Slam and his recent Players Championship Final victory. As well as this, he returns as the reigning World Champion.
Despite this, the tournament has not been won by the same player two years in a row since Gary Anderson achieved the feat in 2015 and 2016, proving it is a tough task. All the expectation is on you and everyone will be taking their game to the champion.
This competition is the first in recent years in which seeded players will enter in the first round, rather than the second. No cushy byes. Darting elites will have to go all the way if they want to prove their mettle.
As the reigning champion, most eyes will be on Luke Littler, so here is his run in the competition predicted –
Round 1: vs Darius Labanauskas
Labanauskas is certainly not a player to instantly discount. He reached the quarter finals of the competition in 2020, beating the likes of Steve Beaton and Ian White on the way, only losing to eventual finalist Michael van Gerwen. He also has an eye for the spectacular delivering a nine-darter a year later in a first round defeat to Mike de Decker.
Last year Littler took time to reach full strength in his first game, a second-round matchup against Ryan Meikle. He conceded a set and Meikle looked hot on his heels. But like a true champion he stepped up a level and produced the highest ever set average in the competition, 140.91.
We may see a similar sluggishness off the starting blocks, but Littler’s quality is undeniable and a win is inevitable.
Prediction: 3-0 win
Round 2: vs Mario Vandenbogaerde or David Davies
Vandenbogaerde has appeared in one World Championship in 2024, whereas Davies makes his debut. Whilst the Belgian has the more experience throughout his darting career, Davies has got here on merit alone and would relish a win on his introduction on the Ally Pally stage. Littler could face either. But it’s doubtful that whoever his opponent is would change the way he plays. His eyes are always on the prize.
To compare to last year’s competition, Luke Humphries, despite an exit earlier than expected, eased past his opponent at this stage.
It would truly be one of the biggest shocks of all time if either opponent could best the world champion.
Prediction: 3-0 win
Round 3: vs Joe Cullen
Other likely opponents could include: Bradley Brooks, Mensur Suljovic or David Cameron
In their latest meeting in the Hungarian Darts Trophy in September, Littler romped to a 6-1 victory over Cullen.
‘The Rockstar’ did beat Littler early in the year, shortly after the teenager’s World Championship victory. Cullen won 6-3 in the third round of the first Players Championship event. Whilst the result came as a surprise, it shows that Littler can be beaten.
Cullen is not on the greatest streak currently, failing to have qualified for the Grand Slam, so ‘The Nuke’ will likely get the better of him very comfortably.
Prediction: 4-1 win
Round 4: vs Damon Heta
Other potential opponents could include: Rob Cross, Raymond van Barneveld or Mervyn King
Heta has not had a standout year, falling to 16th in the PDC rankings. But he will be looking to cause a splash in the tournament and make a deep run in an attempt to round of his season in a positive light.
‘The Heat’ grabbed headlines last year as he was the second and final player in the competition to hit a nine-darter. As well as this, he defeated Littler in a memorable UK Open Quarter Final in 2024, but this feels like a lifetime ago for ‘The Nuke’ and a far cry from a matchup we would be likely to see again.
Perhaps Heta could nick a set early on, but Littler has matured and possesses not just the quality, but the poise and the stamina to outlast any opponent here.
Prediction: 4-1 win
Quarter Final: vs Gerwyn Price
Other potential opponents could include: Chris Dobey, Ryan Joyce or Krzysztof Ratajski
The Welshmen has had a stunning year and would prove to be one a most fearsome opponent for anyone. He is surely one of the popular picks to win the whole competition.
‘The Iceman’ gained a reputation in the Premier League for being Littler’s most worthy rival by earning an impressive run of wins against him, but in recent times the scores have flipped. ‘The Nuke’ beat Price 11-8 in a hard-fought semi-final on the way to his recent Players Championship Finals win. He was worth his victory with a 108.48 three-dart match average.
Whoever would prevail in this matchup, would look the most likely to be crowned champion. It would make a feisty fixture and would no doubt be one of the standout games of the tournament. But it’s hard to look past Littler in any game, especially on the big stages against a darting juggernaut. Price has the capacity to let frustration get the better of him at times, whilst Littler has shown time and time again that he has the required stamina for high stakes matchups with consistent high scoring and solid finishing figures. He isn’t a plucky David anymore, he is a Goliath.
Prediction: 5-4 win
Semi Final: vs Martin Schindler
Other potential opponents could include: Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton or Michael Smith
This is a bold prediction in itself. But Schindler has enjoyed a brilliant year, putting in solid, consistent performances across the PDC but especially on the European Tour.
He would’ve hoped to make it further in the most recent Players Championship Finals and Grand Slam but was dumped out of both in the Round of 16, both times by Gerwyn Price producing a match average in the high 90’s.
Schindler was also part of a Germany side who provided a shock win against Littler and Humphries’ England in the World Cup. He is rising in the ranks and making a big name for himself.
This would be an excellent run for him, but one that would likely end at the hands of ‘The Nuke’. Despite a very comfortable win, it’s doubtful that Schindler would be blown out of the water. He is a steady player who would keep pace with his opponent. Littler simply has the star power to get over the line, helping him to the Final.
Prediction: 6-1 win
Final: vs Luke Humphries
Other potential opponents could include: Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen or Josh Rock
It might be a boring prediction, but the two Luke’s are head and shoulders above the rest of the darting world at the current time.
They have faced each other in a final numerous times, most notably all that time ago in the PDC Darts World Championship in 2024, where Littler was a debutant and Humphries ultimately prevailed champion.
These two have grappled with each other all year. Littler got the better of Humphries in the most recent Grand Slam and Grand Prix finals, whilst Humphries beat Littler in the Premier League final to claim his triple crown. No matter the competition, these two seem to dominate.
After that Grand Slam defeat, Humphries was resolute in announcing that he would win the Worlds. It was his third loss in a final in a row, as he also faced defeat at the last hurdle against Gian van Veen in the European Championships. He is itching to get his hands on another trophy.
In the 2024 final, ‘Cool Hand’ won 7-4, but the game didn’t go his way throughout. Littler led 4-2 at one point in the game, before Humphries made his experience count and stamped his authority on the game, winning five sets on the bounce.
However, this is a different Luke Littler. He was dominant in last year’s final, batting away a three-time champion in Michael van Gerwen. He will come out on top this time around and become only the fourth player to defend the World Championship title.
Prediction: 7-3 win
EDITORS PICKS:
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- Why Jermaine Wattimena will be the shock of the 2026 World Championships
- The 10 greatest darts players of all-time (Ranked 10-1)
- Luke Littler finally speaks out on being accused of ‘cheating’
- World Darts Championship 2025/26 Draw Confirmed: Luke Littler faces tough First Round test at Ally Pally