PDC World Championship 2025 Preview – The Eight Who Could Win It, and Four to Watch

 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.

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⭐ 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.

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🔥 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.

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⚡ 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.

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🎯 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.

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👀 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.

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🏆 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.

Practice Update: Signs of Life… and a New Training Game That’s Actually Working

 Over the past few days, I’ve been trying something different with my practice.A game I created myself where I 'race' 20 bots around the board. Each of us has to hit 30 darts at each target before we’re allowed to move on to the next number. It sounds simple, but in reality it demands a level of consistency and focus that standard 501 practice sometimes doesn’t.

The early part of each round is usually a bit chaotic. Whenever I move to a new number, my darts start off quite wild as I try to adjust. But the interesting thing is what happens after those first few minutes is the grouping tightens, the rhythm settles, and suddenly I’m throwing with control again. It’s actually teaching me to settle quicker and trust my throw instead of forcing it.

Later on I played a match, and although I was still slightly on the wild side, there was definitely more control creeping in. Small steps, but steps in the right direction. At this point, any movement away from the inconsistency I’ve had recently feels like genuine progress.

Of course, the real test comes tomorrow at the Under 55 Average Tournament. That’s where everything gets exposed like the mind, the nerves, the grip, the mechanics. And if I’m honest, my biggest weakness lately hasn’t been scoring; it’s been doubles. They’ve cost me matches I should have won.

So between now and tomorrow, I’ll be spending a bit of crucial time on finishing. I’d rather be clinical on doubles than hit big scores.Finishing wins matches, not ton-40s with no end product. If I can combine the improved grouping from my bot game with sharper doubles, I might just feel a bit more settled on the oche.

Small improvements, but noticeable ones. Hopefully the corner is starting to turn.

Life After Q School: The Complete Guide to Your Next Steps

 It's getting to the time of year, where players want to try their hand at Q School. Many go with the hope of gaining that elusive Tour Card, however only a small amount will actually get one. So, what options are there for those not fortunate to get a Tour Card, and what other avenues are available?

Q School is brutal and brilliant. If you miss out on a Tour Card, your darts journey doesn’t stop. In fact, this is where most players’ real development begins. The PDC system, WDF system, and independent pathways like ADC/MODUS give you multiple ways to keep improving, earn money, gain exposure, and even qualify for televised majors.

Below is the complete guide to what your next 12–24 months can look like, covering all major routes and their pros and cons for the 2025–26 season.

1) PDC Challenge Tour

What it is
The Challenge Tour is the PDC’s official second tier — for all Q School entrants who don’t win a Tour Card. It offers 24 events, £360k total prize money, and acts as the reserve list that feeds top-ups into Players Championship events. The top two in the Order of Merit win Tour Cards, while the highest non-qualified player also earns a World Championship place.

Pros
• Most direct route back toward a Tour Card
• High-standard opposition, very close to Pro Tour level
• Regular top-ups into Players Championships keep you sharp and active

Cons
• Travel and hotel costs across multiple double-header weekends
• No TV coverage (ProTour-style setup only)

2) PDC Development Tour (Ages 16–24)

What it is
A youth pathway for players aged 16–24 who aren’t inside the top 64 on the main PDC ranking list. With 24 events and £360k prize fund, this tour leads directly into the World Youth Championship, Grand Slam of Darts, Tour Cards for the top two, and World Championship places for the top performers.

Pros
• Affordable entry (£25 per event; automatic junior PDPA membership after 5 events)
• Multiple major pathways (World Youth, Ally Pally, Grand Slam)
• Ideal competitive environment for rapid improvement

Cons
• Strict age and ranking eligibility
• Travel required across several UK weekends

3) PDC Women’s Series

What it is
A dedicated 24-event series for women aged 16+ (outside the top 64 of the main PDC ranking). The Women’s Series Order of Merit directly qualifies players for the World Championship, Grand Slam, and seeds the Women’s World Matchplay, whose winner also qualifies for both majors.

Pros
• Direct route to major televised tournaments
• Continually rising standard and visibility
• Matchplay winner gets automatic GS & WC spots

Cons
• Prize money per event is lower than Challenge/Development
• Top end of the field is incredibly strong

4) WDF Tour

What it is
A global grassroots circuit feeding into the Lakeside WDF World Championship, with a total prize fund of £221k (£50k to the men’s champion, £25k to the women’s). Ranking events happen worldwide, with Lakeside broadcast on S4C and YouTube.

Pros
• Accessible anywhere with huge global footprint
• Lakeside retains prestige and offers a genuine world title opportunity
• Flexible schedule

Cons
• Progression to PDC isn’t automatic; success is recognised but not rewarded with a Tour Card
• Media exposure varies depending on event

5) ADC Pathway → MODUS Super Series

What it is
ADC ranking events happen locally across the UK and internationally. Players collect points and can qualify for the MODUS Super Series. This is a weekly televised studio darts featuring non-Tour Card professionals. The new ADC Global Championship has been expanded to £150,000 total prize fund, with £60,000 to the winner.

Pros
• Weekly televised exposure (Pluto TV, YouTube, etc.)
• Great match-play reps under studio lights
• The ADC Global Championship offers one of the biggest non-PDC paydays available

Cons
• MODUS weeks are invite/qualification-based.You must earn your place
• Not a PDC ranking ladder, so no direct route to Ally Pally or Pro Tour

Side-by-Side Comparison (Quick Reference)

Challenge Tour – Best for pushing toward Tour Card quickly; top-ups into Players Champs, solid prize money.
Development Tour – For ages 16–24; Tour Cards, World Youth, Grand Slam and Ally Pally routes.
Women’s Series – Dedicated pathway to World Matchplay, Grand Slam and Ally Pally.
WDF Tour – Global accessibility and Lakeside World Championship opportunity.
ADC → MODUS – TV exposure, earnings potential, and competitive reps.

PDC World Championships - Six facts you may not know!

 With the PDC World Championship fast approaching, I thought I would take a look at some of the quirkier facts about the tournament. I've certainly learned a thing or two. 

1. Sibling Rivalry

Several sets of siblings have played at the PDC World Championship. Ronny and Kim Huybrechts of Belgium actually played each other in 2014. Austrian players Rowby-John and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez have also appeared. Uniquely is Al and Deta Hedman. The only brother and sister to appear at the event. Al Hedman represented Jamaica, while sister, Deta represented England.

2. Age Not A Factor

Although Luke Littler is the most famous young player at the PDC Championship, the record for the youngest player goes to the Australian, Mitchell Clegg He won the 2007 Oceanic Masters title at the age of just 15 years, 345 days,thus becoming the youngest player ever to qualify for the PDC World Championship. 

On the flip side the oldest player to win a World Championship was Phil Taylor in 2013. The oldest to play in a PDC World Championships is Asian darts legend Paul Lim, who was 67 when he competed in the 2022 event. 

3. Nine-Darters

There have been 16 nine-dart finishes at the PDC World Championships.  Only Raymond van Barneveld of the Netherlands, has hit two in the competition. 

Another Dutchman, Jelle Klaasen, has the unfortunate record as the only player to have two World Championship nine-darters, hit against him.

4. A Global Tournament

Since its inception in 1994, the PDC World Championship has seen (or will see) representatives from nearly 50 nationalities. Europe lead the way, with 27 nationalities, and Asia have had 10. All other continents (except Antarctica, of course) have had representatives.  Some countries you may not have expected include Barbados, Jamaica ,Zimbabwe and South Korea.

The 2026 edition will feature debut appearances from Kenya and Argentina, as the darts world expands even more.

5. England Dominates

As far as PDC World Championship finals are concerned, the English are by far the biggest representatives with 42 out of 64 finalists are English. Phil Taylor alone makes up 19 of these!

Next come Netherlands with 9 and Scotland just behind on 8. 

Canada, Australia and Wales make up the rest of final representative nations. 

6. Cross-Overs

Some players have been successful in other sports apart from darts. Perhaps the most well-known is Gerwyn Price, who played professional rugbu union, prior to taking up full time darts. 

However he is not the only multi-talented player:

Mensur Suljovic played competitive table tennis in Austria before turning to darts.

Devon Petersen was part of a professional dance crew in South Africa

Laurence Ryder played semi-professional rugby league in Australia.

So there you have it, some facts to share or test your friends with. I hope you enjoed reading them .I'm sure I'll be back with more soon!

8 Players Who Could Surprise at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship

 he PDC World Championship starts on 11th December, and while the favourites will naturally dominate the headlines, every year there are players outside the top bracket who produce big moments, cause early upsets, or go on unexpected runs. This tournament is perfect for that.A long format, set play, the pressure of Ally Pally, and the fact that many players peak at exactly the right time.

Here are eight players who may not be included in the title conversations but could easily make a serious impact this year.

Connor Scutt
A heavy scorer who impressed at the recent Grand Slam of Darts. He’s had a steady season but appears to be hitting form at just the right time. His draw could put him up against Gary Anderson and Jermaine Wattimena, and neither match is beyond him if he settles early. Scutt is dangerous when his scoring phase kicks in, and if the doubles follow, he could go further than many expect.

Dom Taylor
Another big scorer who seems to get punished every time he posts a ton-plus average. His recent loss to Andrew Gilding at the Players Championship Finals summed up his year  with the match in his hands,  missed doubles cost him. Still, when he’s flowing, he can trouble anyone. A potential run-in with Jonny Clayton or Michael Smith awaits, but on his day he has every chance.

James Hurrell
Hurrell enjoyed an excellent Players Championship outing recently and has shown real quality throughout the season. He has openly talked about working on his fitness, and that seems to have improved his consistency and confidence. A potential match with Dirk van Duijvenbode looks tough on paper, but in terms of form, Hurrell absolutely has a chance to progress.

Mervyn King
King could be an interesting outsider this year. He opens with a tricky match against Ian White, but if he comes through that, the path ahead may be kinder than expected. His regular success on the Modus Super Series has helped him maintain that “stage sharpness,” and a possible meeting with Rob Cross is far from unwinnable. If King starts well, the draw really could open up for him.

Bradley Brooks
Brooks finds himself in the same eighth of the draw as Luke Littler, which will deter most players – but he isn’t like most. A former World Youth Champion with genuine 100+ average potential, Brooks plays with confidence and very little fear. If he gets on a roll, he could set up a thrilling clash with Littler. On his day, he’s capable of putting anyone under real pressure.

Charlie Manby
One of the most exciting debutants in the field. Fresh from winning Champions Week at the Modus Super Series, Manby arrives with momentum and belief. He is capable of hitting massive averages when he finds his rhythm. If he can handle the Ally Pally nerves and come through a tricky opener against Cameron Menzies, the draw beyond that could allow him to go deep.

Matthew Dennant
Another debutant, but one who already carries himself like a seasoned pro. Dennant has been steady throughout the year and looks comfortable at Pro Tour level. With Challenge Tour and Modus Super Series experience behind him, he has the temperament for Ally Pally. He faces Kevin Doets first, then potentially Mike De Decker .Neither in their best form ,so Dennant has a realistic opportunity to progress.

Justin Hood
Hood is one of those dangerous floaters who can beat big names if he finds his game. His win over Damon Heta at the Players Championship Finals proved he can rise to the occasion. A strong Pro Tour season and appearances on the European Tour give him plenty of experience. If he overcomes Nick Kenny, he might face Danny Noppert next, but Hood has shown he can lift his level against top opponents.

These eight players may not be top of the betting lists, but each has the game, mindset and pathway to make a real impression. The World Championship always delivers surprises, and don’t be shocked if one or more of these names helps create them.

Thursday Night Round Robin – A Tough One Mentally

 Another Thursday night wrapped up, and this one was a real test of patience. The numbers tell the story quite well:

• Average: 43.92

• First 9 Average: 56.55

• 100+ Scores: 8

• Legs Won: 1

• Legs Lost: 10

The scoring patches were actually decent.A  56.55 first-9 average shows that when I get going, the darts still come out straight and with intent. But once again, the big issue was the same: doubles. They continue to desert me, and at the moment they’re costing me match after match.

I’m going through a strange phase where I’m massively overthinking everything on the oche. Grip, stance, follow-through, tempo… all the things you shouldn’t be thinking about mid-game. Every now and again I relax naturally and the throw feels smooth, but the moment I realise I’m throwing well, I tighten up again. That mental battle is exhausting.

What frustrates me most is that I know the player I am. At home, in practice, and even in isolated legs in matches, I throw like someone with a 60-average game in the tank. But right now, my head is getting in the way more than anything physical. The darts are fine. My mechanics are fine. The mindset is the issue.

But this is part of the sport. Every player at any level goes through these patches.Periods where nothing feels natural and the doubles feel impossible. The important thing is to ride it out, keep putting the work in, and find ways to bring that calmer, freer practice throw into competition.

I’ll be working doubles hard over the next few days. The moment they start landing again, everything else will lift with them.

This spell will pass. It always does.

ADC GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2025/26 — QUICK GUIDE

The ADC Global Championship is the flagship event of the Amateur Darts Circuit, bringing together 56 players from around the world for the richest prize fund in amateur darts. Every match is broadcast live through the MODUS Super Series on Pluto TV, giving amateur players true TV-level exposure.

Inaugural Champion (2024)

The first-ever ADC Global Championship took place in 2024, and Devon Petersen made history by becoming the inaugural champion. His victory set the tone for what is now one of the most exciting non-professional championships in the sport.

Prize Fund

Total prize pool: £150,000
Winner: £60,000
Runner-up: approx. £20,000
Semi-finals: approx. £8,000
Quarter-finals: approx. £4,000
Prize money is paid out throughout the field, making it a financially significant event even for early exits.

How to Qualify

Players can qualify through multiple routes across different regions.

UK & Ireland

Regional ADC titles
Major ADC Open winners
MODUS Super Series event winners
National ranking positions
Last-chance knockout qualifiers

International Pathways

Qualification varies by region but typically includes national ADC rankings, regional championships, standout invitations, and global member qualifiers. Participating regions include Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North America, and emerging Middle Eastern setups.

Tournament Format

Stage 1 – Group Stage (56 players)
8 groups of 7, round-robin, best of 7 legs. Top 4 from each group progress.

Stage 2 – Second Group Phase (32 players)
8 groups of 4, usually double round-robin, best of 7 legs. Only the group winners go through.

Stage 3 – Finals (Last 8)
Quarter-finals (best of 11), semi-finals (best of 13), final (best of 17).

Where to Watch

All matches are shown live on:
MODUS Super Series
Pluto TV (free worldwide)

This gives amateur players unprecedented exposure on a professional broadcast platform, complete with walk-ons, interviews, and full production value.

Why It Matters

It’s one of the highest-paying amateur events in darts. It’s global. It’s televised. And it provides a genuine stepping stone towards the PDC or WDF professional systems. For many players, qualification alone is a huge achievement. 

I will write a preview once we get to Stage 3 and the final 8 competitors.