World Darts Championship 2025 Schedule – Dates, Draw and TV Guide

The 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship kicks off on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Alexandra Palace in London, marking the first edition to feature all 128 players beginning from round one. The tournament runs through to Saturday, January 3, 2026, when the champion will be crowned.

This year’s event introduces a significantly expanded format compared to previous editions. With the field growing to include every competitor from the opening round, the championship promises more action than ever before. The record prize fund of £5 million—with £1 million going to the winner—underscores the event’s stature in professional darts.

When Does the World Darts Championship 2025 Start and End?

The championship spans approximately seven weeks, running from mid-December into early January. Daily sessions are split into afternoon and evening slots, allowing fans to follow the action throughout each day.

Key insights for this year’s championship:

• The expanded 128-player field represents a major change from traditional formats
• Afternoon sessions begin at 12:30pm GMT, evening sessions at 7pm GMT
• The final is scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026
• All sessions are held at Alexandra Palace, known as the “North London home of darts”
• Quarter-finals move to a best-of-9-sets format on New Year’s Day
• Semi-finals are contested over best-of-11 sets on January 2
• Total prize money has doubled from the 2024/25 edition

Full 2025 World Darts Championship Schedule and Fixtures

Round One Draw

Round one runs from December 11-19, 2025, with matches spread across nine days. The opening matches feature high-profile encounters, including Michael van Gerwen’s highly anticipated opener against a qualifier opponent.

Notable qualifiers entering the tournament include Justin Hood, Connor Scutt, Wesley Plaisier, Darren Beveridge, Sebastian Bialecki, Stowe Buntz, Tavis Dudeney, Charlie Manby, David Cameron, and Noa-Lynn van Leuven.

Round Two and Beyond

Round two takes place from December 20-23, 2025, with matches split by draw halves over two days each. The order of play is confirmed progressively as round one concludes. Tuesday, December 23 at 7pm features marquee ties including Danny Noppert versus Justin Hood, Gary Anderson against Connor Scutt, and Michael van Gerwen’s second-round match.

Venue, TV Coverage, and How to Watch

Alexandra Palace remains the spiritual home of the World Darts Championship, hosting the event for another year in North London. The venue’s capacity and facilities accommodate the expanded field and growing audience.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch live coverage through Sky Sports, with options to stream via Sky Go or Now TV. International audiences have access through various PDC broadcast partners covering Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.

The championship is sponsored by Paddy Power as title partner, with additional support from William Hill and Cazoo. Live score updates and comprehensive tournament coverage are available through PDC.tv as matches progress.

Top Players, Seeds, and Prize Money

Player Field and Seeding Structure

The top 32 players from the PDC Order of Merit automatically seed into round two, avoiding the opening round entirely. The remaining 96 places are filled through various qualifying pathways, including Pro Tour qualifiers, Challenge Tour performers, Development Tour stars, and Q-School graduates.

Based on prior season rankings, leading contenders include Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price among the anticipated top seeds. Historical data from previous editions shows seeds like Peter Wright (seeded 17), Stephen Bunting (8), Luke Littler (4), and Michael van Gerwen (3) performing strongly in major tournaments.

Prize Fund Breakdown

This year’s championship offers a record-breaking total prize fund of £5 million, with the winner receiving £1 million. This represents a substantial increase from the £2.5 million total fund and £500,000 winner’s prize in the 2024/25 edition. Even early-round participants secure meaningful earnings, with the structure rewarding deep runs significantly.

Tournament Timeline

The championship follows a structured progression from opening round through to the final, with specific dates assigned to each stage of the competition.

1. December 11, 2025: Tournament opens with round one matches
2. December 11-19, 2025: Round one contested across nine days
3. December 20-23, 2025: Round two matches pre-Christmas
4. January 1, 2026: Quarter-finals (best of 9 sets)
5. January 2, 2026: Semi-finals (best of 11 sets)
6. January 3, 2026: Final held (best of 13 sets)

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Understanding the Championship Format

The PDC World Darts Championship has evolved significantly over the years, establishing itself as the premier event in professional darts. The Alexandra Palace venue, affectionately known as “Ally Pally,” provides an iconic setting with its distinctive atmosphere and panoramic views of London.

The 2025/26 edition marks a historic expansion. For the first time, all 128 players begin from round one, creating unprecedented opportunities for rising talents to face established professionals immediately. The format progression—from best-of-3 sets in round one through to best-of-13 in the final—rewards consistency and mental fortitude over the tournament’s intensive schedule. Voor meer informatie over de SM-hiihdot 2025, inclusief locaties, resultaten en tv-uitzendingen, kun je SM-hiihdot 2025 raadplegen.

Sources and Official Information

Comprehensive coverage and official updates are available through PDC.tv, the governing body’s official platform. The Alexandra Palace website provides venue-specific information and ticket details.

The 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship represents the biggest event in PDC history, with an expanded field delivering more opportunities for players and fans alike.

— PDC Official Announcement

Additional coverage through Wikipedia and dedicated darts databases like the World of Darts Fandom wiki offer historical context and detailed records from previous championships.

Summary

The 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship begins December 11, 2025, at Alexandra Palace with an expanded 128-player field competing through to the final on January 3, 2026. Session times are set for 12:30pm and 7pm GMT daily, with Sky Sports broadcasting in the UK and PDC TV serving international audiences. The record £5 million prize fund—featuring £1 million for the winner—underscores the championship’s significance in professional darts. Full draw details and exact seedings will be confirmed as the event approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions