Luke Littler faces a possible showdown in opposition to Fallon Sherrock on the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship, whereas Luke Humphries will start his title defence in opposition to Thibault Tricole or Joe Comito.
Humphries returns as defending champion after final yr’s 7-4 victory over Littler, with the pair the 2 pre-tournament favourites when it will get underneath manner on the Alexandra Palace on December 15 – reside on Sky Sports activities.
The world No 1 has already defended his Gamers Championship Finals title in 2024, including to the Betfred World Matchplay success and three runner-up finishes in PDC majors this yr, whereas Littler has received Premier League and the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts throughout a exceptional debut season.
They’re among the many 96 gamers competing to win the long-lasting Sid Waddell Trophy and £500,000 high prize, with Littler – the fourth seed – and high seed Humphries in the identical half of the draw and heading in the right direction for a possible semi-final showdown.
The highest 32 gamers from the PDC Order of Benefit following Sunday’s Ladbrokes Gamers Championship Finals enter on the second-round stage, with the primary spherical seeing 32 gamers from the ProTour Order of Benefit Qualifiers enjoying one of many Worldwide Qualifiers.
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Humphries appears to be like to change into a back-to-back world champion at Alexandra Palace this Christmas, reside on Sky Sports activities
Littler has been handed a blockbuster draw in opposition to Suffolk’s Ryan Meikle or Sherrock, who was dubbed ‘Queen of the Palace’ throughout her run to the third spherical in 2020 and returns to make her fifth look in six years.
Full draw to observe…
The schedule of play is about to be confirmed later this week.
When will the World Darts Championship happen?
The match will get underneath manner on the Alexandra Palace on Sunday December 15, with three first-round matches and one second-round match on the opening night.
There can be reside darts over every of the next eight days, together with seven afternoon periods, with the standard three-day break from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day earlier than returning with the third spherical and a double session on December 27.
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Talking on Love The Darts, Michael Bridge and Polly James debate which gamers are nonetheless to be feared when enjoying in opposition to them
The third and fourth rounds can be accomplished by December 30 earlier than an evening off on New 12 months’s Eve, with the quarter-finals held throughout two periods on New 12 months’s Day forward of the semi-finals on January 2 and the ultimate on Friday January 3.
The total day-by-day schedule for this yr’s match may be discovered right here.
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match completely reside from December 15-January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
