The most magical time of the darts year is here again. The PDC World Championship returns to Alexandra Palace, and for all the talk about form, rankings and seedings, one truth always remains: the Worlds has a mind of its own. Every year, a new story writes itself.
But in 2025, the landscape feels different. A new world number one. A defending champion who is still a teenager. A chasing pack with point to prove. And a handful of dangerous floaters capable of blowing up the draw.
Here is my comprehensive preview — two favourites, two major contenders, two maybes, two wildcards, and four players every fan should keep a close eye on.
⭐ THE FAVOURITES
Luke Littler – The One to Beat
The newly crowned world number one and defending champion returns to Ally Pally with the weight of expectation and yet somehow, he seems the least bothered by it. Littler has already rewritten what is possible for a young player, and his victory at the Players Championship Finals has only strengthened the argument that he is the best in the world right now.
He scores heavier than anyone, finishes ruthlessly when under pressure, and has the aura of a player who believes he is destined for more world titles. If he hits his level, very few can live with him.
Josh Rock – The Form Man of 2024–25
Josh Rock’s rise has been steady, methodical and impressive. This season, he has looked like the second-best player in the world, and some would argue he has been the most consistent performer on the floor and stage for months.
His scoring power is elite, and his temperament has matured massively. Rock has beaten the very best repeatedly this year and perhaps arrives at Ally Pally looking like the most realistic challenger to the Littler crown.
🔥 THE CONTENDERS
Gian van Veen – The New Generation’s Other Star
Back-to-back World Youth Championship titles tell you all you need to know about Gian van Veen. His ceiling is sky-high, and he has already proven he can take out top-ten talent on the biggest stages.
If he settles early and finds his natural rhythm, his scoring bursts make him a genuine threat to reach the back end of the event.
Gerwyn Price – Peaking at the Perfect Moment
For much of the year, Price has been searching for his A-game… and right when it matters, he appears to have found it. He’s playing with freedom again, averaging big, and showing flashes of the intensity that took him to the world title in 2021.
If he brings that level to the Worlds, he is far too dangerous to ignore and his draw really opens up if he finds early momentum.
⚡ THE MAYBES
Danny Noppert – Quietly Becoming a Real Problem
Noppert rarely gets the headlines, but he might be the most quietly consistent player on tour right now. Deep runs in multiple tournaments and a level of control that frustrates opponents makes him a nightmare draw.
He doesn’t blow players away,he he suffocates them. If the field takes their eyes off him, he could easily go deep.
Michael van Gerwen – Can You Ever Write Him Off?
It has been a strange season for MVG. There have been brilliant moments, patches of form where he looks unstoppable… and then long spells where the old dominance isn’t there. But this is still Michael van Gerwen, and Ally Pally has always brought something different out of him.
If he gets a spark early, just a couple of great legs, a couple of big finishes and he could build a title run from nowhere.
🎯 THE SURPRISE PACKETS
Ryan Searle – The Dangerous Dark Horse
Searle is trending upwards at exactly the right time. His scoring has sharpened, his confidence appears to be returning, and he has the kind of explosive spell-scoring that wins matches at Ally Pally.
If he strings a few good sessions together, he is more than capable of taking out top seeds.
Ross Smith – Still Underrated, Still Lethal
Ross Smith played superbly against Luke Littler at the Players Championship Finals despite losing. The level was there, the composure was there, and his groupings looked as good as they’ve ever been.
He is the type of player who, if he gets hot, could blow up a section of the draw.
👀 FOUR PLAYERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Beau Greaves
Greaves has the talent to cause real damage. Her natural scoring and composure under pressure make her dangerous in any format.
But a tough opener against Daryl Gurney awaits. If she wins that, her tournament opens up beautifully.
Jesus Salate – A Historic Debut for Argentina
The first Argentinian player ever to grace the PDC World Championship stage. He plays an aggressive, high-tempo game. If he settles early, he’s capable of springing an upset and becoming one of the stories of the tournament.
David Munyua – Kenya’s First Representative
Another groundbreaking debut. Munyua arrives with nothing to lose and everything to gain. He has improved massively on the African circuit and has already beaten several established players in recent months.
Crowd could really warm to him and that makes him dangerous.
Fallon Sherrock – A Potential Upset Brewing
Sherrock drew Dave Chisnall which is normally a nightmare opening match, but Chisnall is out of form, and Sherrock has produced decent darts this season. If she wins the big moments, a shock is very possible.
🏆 Final Thoughts
This World Championship feels unusually open. Littler and Rock lead the field, but there are at least eight players with a real shot at lifting the trophy, and several potential breakthrough stories waiting to unfold.
Whether you're watching for the favourites, the form players, the dangerous outsiders or the historic debutants, this year’s Worlds could be something special.
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