The 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship is up and running at Alexandra Palace — and the opening stretch has already delivered the full Ally Pally package: a smooth title-defence start for Luke Littler, a landmark win for India’s Nitin Kumar, and a record-breaking moment from 71-year-old Paul Lim that set up a must-watch rematch with Luke Humphries.
Latest results: the key talking points so far
Littler starts fast: Defending champion Luke Littler opened his campaign with a 3–0 win over Darius Labanauskas, keeping early-round nerves firmly under control as he begins another run under the Alexandra Palace lights.
Humphries advances — and now faces a legend: Luke Humphries moved into round two with a 3–1 win over Ted Evetts. Next up is a headline-grabbing matchup with Paul Lim — and the story writes itself.
Paul Lim makes history at 71: Fan favourite Paul Lim beat Jeffrey de Graaf 3–1 to become the oldest player ever to win a match at the PDC World Championship. The win instantly became one of the tournament’s most shared moments and has earned Lim a second-round clash with Humphries.
Nitin Kumar’s breakthrough: a huge moment for Indian darts: Nitin Kumar defeated Richard Veenstra 3–2 to become the first Indian player to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship — a result that’s been celebrated widely as a milestone for the sport’s growth in India.
Early shock that reshaped the draw: Seeded player Ross Smith was knocked out in a five-set battle, losing 3–2 to debutant Andreas Harrysson after missed match darts — one of the first big bracket-shifters of the tournament.
What’s happening at Ally Pally this year
More players, more chaos: The tournament has expanded to a 128-player field, with everyone starting in round one — a format tweak that naturally increases upset potential and keeps the schedule stacked session after session.
Money and pressure are at record levels: With the sport’s biggest spotlight comes the biggest stakes — and every win (or missed dart) feels amplified on this stage.
What to watch next
Round-one action continues into the next sessions, with several top names still to make their opening appearances. Meanwhile, the round-two setup featuring Humphries vs Lim is already one of the most anticipated storylines, because it blends form, history, and pure Ally Pally theatre.
Outbound (official): For the most reliable running order, results list, and match updates, follow the official PDC World Darts Championship tournament hub.
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