The race for the 2026 World Darts Championship title is heating up, with Luke Littler one of four men left in the competition
We’re down to the final four at the 2026 World Darts Championship, with Luke Littler chasing a second consecutive title. Victory would see the teenage sensation join an exclusive club of players to successfully defend the crown, alongside legends such as Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson – the latter a potential opponent in the final.
The quarter-finals delivered a couple of major upsets. World No. 2 and 2024 champion Luke Humphries was knocked out by the in-form Gian van Veen, while world No. 5 Jonny Clayton fell to Ryan Searle.
Littler, by contrast, was imperious as he swept aside Krzysztof Ratajski. Anderson, meanwhile, booked his place with a comfortable win over Justin Hood.
Beyond the prestige of the Sid Waddell Trophy, the financial stakes have reached an all-time high, with a record-breaking £1million winner’s check awaiting the champion.
For Littler, a successful defence would not only secure his position at the summit of the sport but also prove that he can handle the immense pressure of being the hunted rather than the hunter. Here, Mirror Sport runs through everything you need to know.
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World Darts Championship semi-finals: order of play
Both semi-finals will be contested during a single blockbuster evening session at Alexandra Palace. The night opens with the clash between Gary Anderson and Gian van Veen, followed immediately by the showdown between Luke Littler and Ryan Searle.
When is Luke Littler playing?
The defending champion is expected to take to the stage at roughly 9pm, though much will depend on when Anderson vs Van Veen finishes. Littler enters the tie as heavy favourite, but Searle, who has only dropped two sets at the tournament so far, represents arguably his biggest test yet.
Anderson vs Van Veen is expected to begin at around 7.45pm. The match represents a clash of generations, with a whopping 32 years separating the two players.
How to watch the World Darts Championship semi-finals?
Live coverage of the semi-finals begins at 7.30pm on Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can also stream the entire session via the Sky Go app or through a NOW TV Sports Membership.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
