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Luke Humphries and Luke Littler lead the odds to win the 2025 World Darts Championship.
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The 2025 World Darts Championship begins on 15 December.
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Alexandra Palace will stage the Final on 3 January 2025.
This December, the PDC World Darts Championship returns to see who will take the ultimate crown of the sport – as well as a hefty chunk of prize money!
Last year, the story of the tournament was Luke Littler, who has since enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign to set him up nicely among the favourites to win the 2025 World Darts Championship.
Here’s what you need to know about the always-lively darts tournament that’ll see out 2024 and kick off 2025 with a bang!
When is the 2025 World Darts Championship?
The 2025 World Darts Championship is one of the last major sports events on the calendar, beginning on 15 December 2024. On that Sunday, fans can catch the action from 7pm UK time.
On Friday, 27 December, the Third Round commences with an afternoon session (12:30pm UK time) and an evening session (7pm UK time).
Closing in on the end of the 2025 World Darts Championship, the Quarter-Finals will take place on Wednesday, 1 January, followed by the Semi-Finals on 2 January, and the Final from 8pm UK time on Friday 3 January.
Who Won the 2024 World Darts Championship?
Luke Humphries won the 2024 World Darts Championship. After an imperious run through 2023 that saw ‘Cool Hand Luke’ win the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, and PC Finals, he topped it off by beating the hottest name on the circuit.
That name was Luke Littler. Still only 16-years-old during the 2024 World Darts Championship, Littler steamrolled his way to the Final and many backed him to take the crown – just as they will in the online betting this year.
Who’s the Favourite to Win the 2025 World Darts Championship?
As is tradition when a top-class player wins the tournament, the reigning champion returns to the outright darts odds to win the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship at 3.50.
Since taking the world title, Humphries has continued to run hot, winning the World Matchplay, Players Championship 26 on 3 October, and the PDC World Cup of Darts alongside Michael Smith for England.
Humphries also claimed the New Zealand Masters and finished runner-up to Mike De Decker at the World Grand Prix, to Dimitri van den Bergh at the UK Open, and to Luke Littler in Premier League Darts.
Very close behind – close enough to swing ahead as the tournament approaches – is fellow 2024 finalist Luke Littler. Still just a teenager, Littler is at 3.75 to take home the towering World Darts Championship trophy.
Who are the Dark Horses to Win the 2025 World Darts Championship?
While having the hot hand at the World Darts Championship can be the ultimate difference maker, form across the PDC’s other premier events can be quite telling of a player’s prospects at the end-of-year tournament.
In the World Series of Darts, Luke Littler ended up beating Michael Smith in the Finals, having won the Bahrain Masters and the Poland Masters prior.
Also impressive during this series was Gerwyn Price, who took two Masters, while Rob Cross won the US Masters and came in as the runner-up in two more.
‘Iceman’ has had a hard time of it over the last couple of years, predominantly due to his roaring celebrations drawing the vocalised ire of many a darts crowd. So, while priced at 16.00, if the crowd’s on his back, Gerwyn may fall short again.
Back of the fourth-ranked Price in the odds is Rob Cross out at 21.00. Last year was the long-awaited return to form for the former world champion, who powered his way to the Semi-Finals only to meet the unstoppable Littler.
Since then, the winner of one of the greatest World Darts Championship Finals has collected some important wins and done well in major tournaments.
A good showing in the Grand Slam or European Championship would surely boost him in the odds. Also in the mix are the ever-present Michael van Gerwen (8.00), Michael Smith (17.00), and Gary Anderson (21.00).
Where is the 2025 World Darts Championship Taking Place?
The World Darts Championship will be taking place, once again, at Alexandra Palace.
Also known as the ‘Ally Pally,’ the legendary venue is found near Wood Green in London, on Alexandra Palace Way.
How Much Do World Darts Championship Winners Get?
The winner of the 2025 World Darts Championship will get £500,000 and the mighty Sid Waddell Trophy.
Across the tournament, there’s a £2.5 million total prize pool, and second place nets a cool £200,000.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adobe*
