Phil Haigh
Published November 24, 2025 4:44pm
Updated November 24, 2025 4:44pm
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Luke Littler is favourite to win the World Darts Championship in 2026 (Picture: Getty Images)
Luke Littler has learned who he will face in the opening round of the PDC World Darts Championship when he begins the defence of his title next month.
The Nuke is only playing at Alexandra Palace for the third time after taking the tournament and the entire sport by storm over his first two appearances in the World Championship.
At just 16 years old he made the final where he was beaten by Luke Humphries, before going one step further and lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy thanks to beating Michael van Gerwen in January.
Littler returns to north London as the clear favourite to get his hands on the trophy again and his first opponent will be Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas.
The 49-year-old is very experienced and a former quarter-finalist at Alexandra Palace, reaching the last eight in 2020 thanks to wins over the likes of Ian White, Steve Beaton and Max Hopp.
Lucky D has pedigree, but little compared to the man he faces at Ally Pally, who goes into the tournament as world number one.
The man he knocked off his perch at the top of the world rankings, Luke Humphries, takes on Ted Evetts in round one.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06:Luke Humphries of England is introduced to the crowd before his first round match against Nathan Aspinall of England on day one of the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix at Mattioli Arena on October 06, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Cool Hand is looking to win the World Championship for a second time and will be the chief threat to Littler, going in as the second seed.
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Three-time world champion and last years’ runner-up Van Gerwen takes on Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.
Former champion Gerwyn Price will be tagged as a contender this time round and he faces Adam Gawlas in his first match.
A standout tie in the opening round sees Daryl Gurney take on the best female player on the planet Beau Greaves.
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