World Darts Championship 2026: Full Schedule & Fixtures

Luke Littler begins his defence of the World Darts Championship against Darius Labanauskas on Thursday 11 December, live on Sky Sports. As tradition dictates, the reigning champion features on opening night; Michael Smith v Lisa Ashton also headlines the first session. Lithuania’s Labanauskas will be first to try to halt Littler — no defending champion has lost on opening night since John Part’s shock defeat to Bill Davis in 2009.

Beau Greaves opens her campaign on Friday 19 December against Daryl Gurney in the evening session. Last year’s finalist Michael van Gerwen is in action on Thursday 18 December, the same night as the eagerly anticipated Fallon Sherrock v Dave Chisnall tie. Luke Humphries, the 2024 world champion, begins his bid to reclaim the title against Ted Evetts in the evening session on Saturday 13 December; Gary Anderson plays in the afternoon that day.

Other early highlights: Gerwyn Price starts on Tuesday 16 December; Peter Wright faces Noa-Lynn van Leuven on Monday 15 December; and Stephen Bunting opens on Sunday 14 December.

A record £5 million prize fund is on offer at Alexandra Palace, with £1 million for the winner — the biggest payday in darts history. The expanded 2026 event features 128 players, with everyone entering from round one (seeded players no longer receive byes).

Full schedule at Alexandra Palace (all times GMT)

Thursday 11 December (1900)

Friday 12 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Rob Cross v Cor Dekker

Evening Session (1900)

Saturday 13 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Gary Anderson v Adam Hunt

Evening Session (1900)

Sunday 14 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Joe Cullen v Bradley Brooks

Evening Session (1900)

Monday 15 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Peter Wright v Noa-Lynn van Leuven

Evening Session (1900)

Tuesday 16 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Chris Dobey v Xiaochen Zong

Evening Session (1900)

Niko Springer v Joe Comito

Wednesday 17 December (1900)

Thursday 18 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Mike De Decker v David Munyua

Evening Session (1900)

Friday 19 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Josh Rock v Gemma Hayter

Evening Session (1900)

Saturday 20 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Two x4

Evening Session (1900)

Sunday 21 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Two x4

Evening Session (1900)

Monday 22 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Two x4

Evening Session (1900)

Tuesday 23 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Two x4

Evening Session (1900)

Saturday 27 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Three x3

Evening Session (1900)

Sunday 28 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Three x3

Evening Session (1900)

Monday 29 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Three x3

Evening Session (1900)

Tuesday 30 December

Afternoon Session (1230)

Round Four x3

Evening Session (1900)

Thursday 1 January

Afternoon Session (1230)

Quarter-Finals x2

Evening Session (1900)

Quarter-Finals x2

Friday 2 January (1930)

Semi-Finals

Saturday 3 January (2000)

Tournament format

For 2026 all players begin in round one; seeded players no longer receive byes. The event uses the sets format: each set is first to three legs. The deciding set requires a two-leg margin; if a final set reaches 2-2 play continues until a two-leg lead is achieved, and if it reaches 5-5 a sudden-death leg is played (throw order continues).

Prize money

• Total fund: £5,000,000
• Winner: £1,000,000
• Runner-up: £400,000
• Semi-finalists: £200,000
• Quarter-finalists: £100,000
• Round Four losers: £60,000
• Round Three losers: £35,000
• Round Two losers: £25,000
• Round One losers: £15,000

Broadcast

Watch every match live from 11 December to 3 January on Sky Sports' dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407 from 10 December).