Luke Littler Begins PDC World Darts Title Defense

Luke Littler begins his defense of the PDC World Darts Championship title tonight at London's Alexandra Palace, facing unseeded Lithuanian player Darius Labanauskas in the first round. The 18-year-old Englishman, who became the youngest world champion in history last year at age 17, enters as the clear favorite after a dominant 2025 season that included victories at the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals.

The tournament, running from December 11, 2025, to January 3, 2026, features an expanded field of 128 players, up from 96 last year, with all competitors starting in the opening round. This year's event boasts a record £5 million prize fund, double the previous total, including £1 million for the winner, £400,000 for the runner-up, and a guaranteed £15,000 for first-round participants. Matches follow a sets format, with early rounds best of five sets and progressing to best of 13 in the final. Each leg starts at 501, requiring players to finish on a double, and deciding sets must be won by two clear legs.

Littler's opening match is the third of the evening session, scheduled to start around 9:10 p.m. GMT after the...