The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship is on the horizon, with the best throwers in the business set to once again descend on London’s Alexandra Palace.
All eyes will be on a pair of Luke’s – Littler and Humphries, last year’s two finalists, but can one of the old guard upset the apple cart?
It’s Humphries' title to lose, with the 29-year-old the reigning champion, however, Littler will enter the tournament as the slight favourite in the overall market.
Darts as a sport has continued to grow to new heights this year and with the 2025 World Darts Championship set to be the best yet, it’s only going to get bigger.
Let’s take a look at the main contenders for the PDC crown as well as the under the radar options who could make a dash for the title.
Bullseye. This is our 2025 World Darts Championship Preview.
World Darts Championship Preview – The Favourites
Luke Littler
Teen sensation Luke “The Nuke” Littler will enter the 2025 World Darts Championship as the favourite.
The 17-year-old sniper made the final of this event last year, despite it being his PDC World Championship debut.
He ultimately lost to Luke Humphries in the final but launched himself to darts superstardom in the process.
No longer an unknown kid, Littler has claimed 10 titles in 2024 and almost singlehandedly bought darts to the masses.
If he were to capitalise on his favouritism and win the PDC title, it would be a fitting way to cap off his meteoric rise in the world of darts.
Luke Humphries
World number one, the reigning champ and in the form of his life, yet somehow still not the favourite for the World Darts Championship. Go figure?
Such is the hype around Luke Littler, his namesake and fellow Chesire boy Luke Humphries has been superseded as the favourite for the PDC crown.
While there is no doubting Littler’s abilities, when you look at what Humphries has achieved in the last 12 months it’s mildly insane that he is not entering this event as the favourite.
Cool Hand Luke followed up his 2024 PDC Championship victory by securing the World Cup, the Players Championship and the World Matchplay.
He became only the second player ever to win both the World Championship and World Matchplay in the same year.
It will be a surprise if Humphries doesn’t at least make the final at Alexandra Palace in early January.
Gary Anderson
The Flying Scotsman Gary Anderson is back in the big time after a couple of seasons in obscurity.
A true renaissance man, the 2024 season has proved to be Anderson’s best in years and he’ll be gearing up for a deep run at this year’s PDC Championships.
A two-time world champion, the 53-year-old has also been to five finals at this event, with this level of experience making him a very credible threat indeed.
Michael van Gerwen
Arguably the most iconic figure left on the circuit, Michael van Gerwen is always a threat in every major tournament he partakes in.
The 2025 PDC World Championships will be no different, with the three-time winner still among the favourites despite enduring a forgettable 2024.
This year marks the first time since 2021 that the Dutchman has failed to win a major title, however with the spotlight elsewhere for a change, it could be set up for van Gerwen to make another famous run at Ally Pally.
World Darts Championship Preview – Under the Radar Options
Michael Smith
It’s strange to see 2023 World Champion Michael Smith at such long odds here. It’s been a slow season for the man they call Bully Boy, yet he is still ranked no.2 overall in the world rankings.
It’s foolish to ever write off a player of this calibre and ranking, so look to Smith to make a title charge against the odds at this year’s World Darts Championship.
Damon Heta
Time for some Aussie representation. Perth local Damon “the Heat” Heta will be heading to Ally Pally looking to flip the script on the favourites and bring the 2025 PDC Championship Down Under.
While at long odds to steal the PDC title, he is currently ranked inside the top 10 and in the unpredictable world of darts, anything is possible.
Mike De Decker
Rounding out our under the radar picks for the Darts World Championships is Belgian pro Mike De Decker.
He won the World Grand Prix this year, defeating Luke Humphries in the final, so he certainly has the ability to challenge the best, whether or not he can put it all together between December 15 – January 3 though, remains to be seen.
How to Watch the World Darts Championship in Australia
If you want to watch the World Darts Championship in Australia, it appears your main option is sports streaming service DAZN
The paid subscription service offers full coverage of the PDC World Darts Championship for those living Down Under.
Rival sports streamer Kayo also appears to be offering coverage of the PDC showpiece event, but only of select sessions.
World Darts Championship Details
Date: December 15, 2024 – January 3, 2025.
Location: London, England.
Venue: Alexandra Palace.
Where to watch: DAZN & Kayo Sports.
Total prizemoney: £2.5 million (approximately $4.98 million AUD)