CHRISTMAS must be just around the corner as the World Darts Championship returns to London’s Alexandra Palace today, launching two-and-a-half weeks of thrilling action. With an extended schedule leading up to the final on January 3, the tournament promises fireworks from the sport’s biggest stars and rising talents alike. Here are five competitors poised to shape the drama on the Ally Pally stage.

Luke Littler

It is difficult to look beyond Luke Littler as the 18-year-old has truly established himself as the best player in the world. Returning to Ally Pally 12 months on from his historic title, it has been an incredible 2025.

He has won five major titles, including the UK Open, Matchplay, Grand Prix and Players Championship for the first time, and finished runner-up in two other finals. He appears invincible in the longer format of the game and is really growing into a showman on stage.

Luke Humphries

The 2024 champion has vowed to get his crown back, publicly saying he will win the tournament.

That is the only way Humphries can regain the world number one spot and Humphries has been the only one who can live in Littler’s world, winning two majors during 2025.

The two Lukes are well clear of the rest of the field and drive each other on in a rivalry that is engulfing the sport. It would take a brave person to bet against a Littler-Humphries final and the latter is probably the only man capable of stopping Littler.

Josh Rock

Rock has really come of age in 2025, finally delivering on the potential he has shown from a young age.

A first major title, teaming up with Daryl Gurney to help Northern Ireland win the World Cup of Darts, helped his confidence and he has performed well in the majors, reaching three semi-finals and two quarter-finals. He looks good for a first deep run at Ally Pally, having not got past the fourth round before.

Beau Greaves

Few players have enjoyed a more transformative year than Beau Greaves. 

The 21-year-old from Doncaster came within three legs of eliminating Luke Humphries at the UK Open, earned her PDC Tour card in October, and stunned the darting world by beating Littler in the World Youth Championship semi-final.

She is back at the Palace for the first time since 2023 and while there is no suggestion of her being able to win the tournament, she could easily become the first woman to win on the biggest stage since trailblazing Fallon Sherrock.

Gian van Veen

Van Veen is the latest Dutchman to mix it at the top of the sport after a breakthrough year on tour.

He became a major champion for the first time when he won the European Open in October and has regularly got to the later stages of other top events. 

While he lacks the consistency to regularly challenge Littler and Humphries, he does have the capability to score as well as them in patches and that makes him a dangerous opponent.