The 2025 World Darts Championship is one of the premier tournaments within the sport. It is an annual event organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) that features the world’s best darts players, all competing for the most prestigious title within darts.
Darts fans flock in their thousands to London’s Alexander Palace during the festive period as the tournament begins in December and runs until January 2025. This year, 96 players lock horns in a straight knockout competition to crown the eventual winner. The event continues to grow in popularity each year, and fans from across the world travel to be part of the special occasion.
The World Darts Championship; 96 players and Euro 3 million in prize money
The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship will feature 96 players for the first time, rather than the usual 64. These players include the top 32 players from the PDC order of merit, based on prize money earned throughout the year. Additionally, 32 players will qualify through various regional tournaments, as well as from the PDC Qualifying School, while another 16 spots are filled by international players or those invited based on other qualification criteria.
The remaining 16 places are determined by the PDC World Darts Championship Qualifying Tournament, which gives additional players the chance to compete on the world stage.
Tournament breakdown
The tournament is played in a knockout format, where players are eliminated after each round. The first round sees all 96 players competing, with 48 matches in total. It’s not for the weak, and an athlete’s time in the tournament can be very quick.
- The first round are played as best of three sets, which means players must win two out of three sets in order to progress to the next round.
- The second round includes 64 players in total – the winners from the first round and the 16 seeded players. These are played as best of five sets, with players needing to win three sets to advance.
- The third round features the remaining 32 players as they face off in best of five sets matches, with players needing three sets to progress.
- The fourth round, which consists of 16 players, is played as best of seven sets, requiring 4 sets to win.
- The quarter-finals feature eight players and are played in a best of seven sets format, with four sets needed to win.
- The semi-finals are played as best of nine sets, where players must win five sets to advance to the final.
- The final match is the longest of all, played as a best of 13 sets format, with the winner being the first player to win seven sets.
Each set in the tournament consists of a best of five legs format, meaning players must win three legs to win the set. If a set reaches a 2-2 scoreline, a deciding leg is played to determine the winner of the set. In each leg, players start with 501 points and must reduce their score to zero by hitting a series of darts, finishing with a double. This knockout structure, combined with the expanded field of 96 players, ensures a thrilling and competitive tournament, offering plenty of drama and excitement as players fight for the prestigious title.
Players to keep your eye on…
There are two outright favourites to win the 2025 World Darts Championship, but we’ve outlined a few others looking to spring a surprise, which includes two Irish contenders.
Luke “Cool Hand Luke” Humphries – World No.1 (Crewe, England)
Luke Humphries’ title is on the line but it’s going to take something special to beat him. The Crewe born superstar has won 18 senior PDC titles throughout his career, but in the last 18 months everything appears to have clicked for him.
There’s plenty of pressure on Humphries to defend his crown, but he’s come out fighting, and he’s warned people not to underestimate him this time round either.
It’s been the most amazing year but it’s a year you want to go and do again. The want for me to be world champion every year is going to be increased. I’m going to be dangerous at the worlds this year.
There’s no doubt Humphries will want to reverse the Premier League Darts final loss against Littler, but having beaten him in the 2024 World’s final, the champion will have the confidence to know he can beat anyone on his day.
Luke “The Nuke” Littler – World No.4 (Warrington, England)
Is there anything the 17-year-old can’t do? If you’ve been living under a rock, let me introduce the most exciting darts player on the planet right now. Say hello to Luke Littler, who has already won 10 senior PDC titles, including the 2024 Premier League and Grand Slam. There’s no surprise, then, to see the teenage star the outright favourite to complete the year in style.
Having reached the final last year with far less experience under his belt, Littler will know what to expect this time round, but the youngster never seems to be phased when on the stage – an important skill to have at the worlds with a loud crowd behind you.
Fun fact? Littler is the youngest player in the world to hit a televised nine-dart finish – and he’s hit two this year, one in the Premier League Darts final only a few months ago. He looks unstoppable at the moment, and plenty of bettors are jumping on him to go all the way this time round.
However, if there’s one player that can stop him, it’s the reigning champion…
Gary “The Flying Scotsman” Anderson – World No.14 (Musselburgh, Scotland)
Behind the two market favourites you’ll find two-time World Champion Gary Anderson. The Grand Slam semi-finalist has appeared to be back to his best in 2024, and the world no.14 has been averaging incredible numbers in the build-up to this tournament.
He may have lost in the opening round of the Players Championship Finals, but he averaged 104 on that occasion – and that kind of scoring throughout the tournament can see the Scot pick up the title once more.
Gary Anderson will be particularly happy with the draw as he’ll avoid the two Luke’s as he targets the final, which makes his odds at double digits and attractive price. On his day, the Scot is one of the best in the business, and he may be peaking at just the right time heading into the Worlds.
William “The Magpie” O’Connor – World No.48 (Limerick, Ireland)
One of two Irish contenders is William O’Connor, whose sole PDC title came back in 2019. His next best finish was three years later, where O’Connor finished as runner-up in the 2022 UK Open.
In the same year, that was his best performance at the Worlds, where he was knocked out in the third round to Michael Smith 4-2. However, plenty of darts fans believe the Irishman could be a dark horse in the 2025 edition.
With a generous looking quarter, the 38-year-old, described as a dogged competitor, will fancy his chances of going further in the competition than he has done ever before. With experience on his side, and his game seemingly going up another notch in 2024, this Irishman could be the one to keep tabs on while everyone continues to make noise about the two Luke’s at the top of the market.
Keane “Dynamite” Barry – World No.52 (Duleek, County Meath, Ireland)
William O’Connor’s World Cup of Darts partner since 2023, Keane Barry, is the other Irishman hoping to cause an upset at Ally Pally this year. The 2020 BDO World Youth Champion reached the UK Open semi-finals back in 2022 and the current no.52 in the world is another dark horse to watch closely.
However, Barry is yet to get past the second round in five attempts, and this year he faces Welshman Gerywn Price, who is always incredibly dangerous on his day. Yet the Irishman has said he’s not afraid of anyone who he meets on the stage – and like O’Connor, experience playing at this venue is very important if you are to succeed.
Stranger things have happened in recent years at the Worlds, and perhaps Barry could be the next player to make a splash and showcase to the Sky Sports cameras how good he can be on his day with his quick throwing action.
Who’s going to make the final?
Due to the draw, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries will lock horns before the final. That may be the fans’ final, but this also offers an opportunity for someone else to challenge either Luke in the final.
Many have been impressed with the form of Gary Anderson in 2024, especially in the months building up to this tournament. When the Flying Scotsman finds his rhythm, he’s one of the best in the world, and having been there and done it before, we could see Anderson back to his best competing for the title.
So, for those looking at an outside each-way swing away from the two standout favourites, it could pay to stick with Gary Anderson who’s been rattling in some high averages in recent tournaments.
It’s always difficult to suggest Michael van Gerwen won’t be in the picture, but over the last 12 months, more and more incredible players are popping up – making darts one of the most competitive and unpredictable sports in the world.
Either way, we’re in for an enthralling few weeks and we’re hoping the Irish can represent us well.
If you’re looking to place a bet on the Worlds, or support the Irish duo, a variety of markets and odds are available at Tonybet throughout the tournament. Take a look at their odds, offers and more today.
