Luke Littler has his sights on retaining the World Darts Championship title and continues his campaign with a semi-final clash against Ryan Searle.
Littler admitted to ‘losing it’ on stage due to the boos of the crowd in his previous victory over Rob Cross but reaffirmed his desire to focus on the darts and let the crowd provide the atmosphere with a demolition of Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals.
A 5-0 thrashing from Littler, who averaged 100 with a 56% checkout success rate proved once again why he is the favourite to regain his title.
Meanwhile, former world champion Luke Humphries was blown away 5-1 by Gian van Veen in the fourth quarter-final of the tournament after Jonny Clayton lost 5-2 to 20th seed Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson ended the fairytale debut run of Justin Hood 5-2 in the first two matches.
Follow all the latest action from the Ally Pally with our live blog below:
World Darts Championship live
- World No.1 Luke Littler demolishes 49-year-old Krzysztof Ratajski in quarter-finals
- Luke Humphries beaten by Gian van Veen in last quarter-final of tournament
- Ryan Searle defeated Jonny Clayton and Gary Anderson beat Justin Hood to book their places in final four
Gian van Veen advances to semi-finals
21:38 , Mike JonesIncredible performance from Van Veen.
A 105.41 average with 11 180s and checking out 55.17% of his doubles.
In the final three sets, he averaged more than 111.
Van Veen reaches World Darts Championship semi-finals
21:35 , Mike JonesThe Dutchman calls this win ‘unbelievable’ and he’s over the moon to reach the final four.
That victory takes him up to No.3 in the world as well and he’ll face Gary Anderson in the next round.
Luke Humphries 1-5 Gian van Veen
21:32 , Mike JonesLuke Humphries needs 161 to stay in the game. He almost takes it out!
But, Gian van Veen doesn’t relent and he lands 45 to win the leg, the set and the match!
Luke Humphries 1(1) - 4(2) Gian van Veen
21:31 , Mike JonesGreat composure from Van Veen to keep attacking. He takes out 41 with Humphries only needing 44 behind him.
Just one more leg for the Dutchman to book his place in the semi-finals.
Luke Humphries 1(1) - 4(1) Gian van Veen
21:29 , Mike JonesA nice response from Humphries. Van Veen misses his only chance at a checkout by slipping wide of the bullseye from 170.
The momentum is still with the Dutchman however.
Luke Humphries 1(0) - 4(1) Gian van Veen
21:27 , Mike JonesGreat scoring from Van Veen sees him down to 181 from six darts.
He sets himself up with another 140, to leave 41 for the first leg.
Van Veen hits nine and takes out 32!
Luke Humphries 1(0) - 4(0) Gian van Veen
21:26 , Mike JonesGian van Veen has the darts in the sixth set and if he keeps his nerve he’ll book his spot in the final four.
Luke Humphries needs an incredible comeback.
Luke Humphries 1(0) - 4(0) Gian van Veen
21:22 , Mike JonesGian van Veen!
He takes the set having almost landed a big fish 170 checkout.
Instead he leaves 25. Hits nine and takes out double 8 with the next dart.
The Dutchman is on the verge of the semi-finals. One more set will do it for him.
Luke Humphries has a mountain to climb now.
Luke Humphries 1(2) - 3(2) Gian van Veen
21:20 , Mike JonesVan Veen will not go away!
An 11-dart leg from the Dutchman forces yet another deciding leg.
This one could decide the outcome of this match.
Luke Humphries 1(2) - 3(1) Gian van Veen
21:19 , Mike JonesAfter missing 32 in the last leg Humphries takes it out in this one to brush off any doubts and move ahead in the set once more.
He needs to win this set and it’s in his hands.
Luke Humphries 1(1) - 3(1) Gian van Veen
21:17 , Mike JonesHumphries outscores Van Veen in the second leg but a 180 from the Dutchman puts pressure on the finish.
Humphries misses three darts at 32 and Van Veen punishes him by taking out 45.
Luke Humphries 1(1) - 3(0) Gian van Veen
21:15 , Mike JonesVan Veen comes back to the oche from a slight break and nails 180 with his first three darts.
Humphries has the right response and outscores him with the next few darts to leave a 78 finishes.
Another 180 from Van Veen increases the pressure but Humphries nails double tops to take the leg.
Luke Humphries 1(0) - 3(0) Gian van Veen
21:10 , Mike JonesBang!
Gian van Veen shakes off the missed set darts and responds with a 10-dart leg to take the fourth set and a two set lead in this quarter-final.
Luke Humphries seems a little rattled but at his own play. There’s plenty of time in the match though and the next set could be a crucial one.
Luke Humphries 1(1) - 2(2) Gian van Veen
21:08 , Mike JonesThe wheels are coming off for Luke Humphries here.
Gian van Veen has won five of the last six legs and takes a two leg lead in this fourth set.
He can extend his lead in the match to 3-1 and he’s flying.
The Dutchman gets down to 125 with six darts to hit it. He leaves himself 32 for a double 16 checkout.
Van Veen hits 16, hits 8 and then misses double 4.
In response, Humphries takes out 158! Wow, he’s still in the set. The momentum swings again.
Luke Humphries 1(0) - 2(0) Gian van Veen
21:03 , Mike JonesWhat is going on?
A fluctuating third set sees Humphries take control and the Van Veen fight back.
The momentum swings again and it all comes down to a deciding leg.
Humphries scores 60 from 180 left and Van Veen leaves 60 with a 138.
Humphries misses his attempt at a checkout, Van Veen misses also!
He gets a second attempt at 20 and rattles double 10 to clinch the set!
Humphries went off the boil and took nine darts from 180 without a dart at a double.
Luke Humphries 1(0) - 1(0) Gian van Veen
20:50 , Mike JonesVan Veen takes the third leg and forces Humphries to throw for the set.
He does so with composure and has six darts to score 161.
He does so and eases to a 3-1 set bringing the match level after the first two.
Luke Humphries 0(2) - 1(0) Gian van Veen
20:46 , Mike JonesHumphries does the hard work and breaks Van Veen’s throw in the first leg of this second set.
He moves into the lead and has a steely focus in his eyes as though he’s determined to up his game.
Humphries takes the second leg as well and needs just one more to level the match.
Luke Humphries 0(0) - 1(0) Gian van Veen
20:39 , Mike JonesVan Veen takes the opening set!
The Dutchman outscores Humphries in the deciding leg and survives a scare as his opponent slips wide of the bullseye for a 167 checkout.
Van Veen scores double six to win the set against the throw and get into the lead.
The first job is done for Gian.
Luke Humphries 0(2) - 0(2) Gian van Veen
20:37 , Mike JonesWow!
A 180 from Humphries leaves him with 84 but Van Veen has the chance to hold his throw with 124 on the board.
20 is hit, then treble 18 to leave the bullseye.
Van Veen takes it and draws level at 2-2 in legs.
Luke Humphries 0(2) - 0(1) Gian van Veen
20:36 , Mike JonesHumphries leads again but only after 14 darts this time.
He takes out 80 with Van Veen nowhere near a checkout.
Luke Humphries 0(1) - 0(1) Gian van Veen
20:35 , Mike JonesAll square! Van Veen checks out 120 in 15 darts to hold his own throw and maintain the pressure on Humphries.
This match already looks like it’ll be decided in the crucial moments.
Luke Humphries 0(1) - 0(0) Gian van Veen
20:33 , Mike JonesHumphries takes the hold! A double eight finish is confidently scored.
This match is being played on fast forward. Both men are scoring well.
A rapid start.
Luke Humphries 0(0) - 0(0) Gian van Veen
20:31 , Mike JonesAfter his match, Luke Littler was asked for his prediction on this one.
He picked Van Veen to win but said it’ll be a close fought affair.
Humphries has the first throw and starts with a 180!
Van Veen follows him in with a maximum of his own!
Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
20:28 , Mike JonesBoth players make their way onto the stage and are met with cheers and applause.
The crowd are up for this one and the players will be too.
Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
20:26 , Mike JonesThis is the match up of the evening. The former world champion in Luke Humphries against the current European champion in Gian van Veen.
Van Veen has a better head-to-head record against Humphries but the World Darts Championship brings extra pressure.
This is a perhaps a match too close to call.
Littler to face Searle in semi-final
20:22 , Mike JonesRyan Searle defeated Jonny Clayton earlier in the day and now takes on Luke Littler tomorrow night in the semi-finals.
Luke Humphries is next up on the oche and takes on Gian van Veen.
Luke Littler 5-0 Krzysztof Ratajski
20:13 , Mike JonesUnreal!
This is the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship and Luke Littler has swept Krzysztof Ratajski aside.
A clean sweep and a 100 average with a 56% doubles average.
Incredible darts.
Luke Littler 4 (2) - 0 (1) Krzysztof Ratajski
20:10 , Mike JonesAgain Ratajski misses the chance to go ahead with a 64 checkout and Littler lands double 10 to move ahead in the set.
He’s throwing for the match now!
Luke Littler 4 (1) - 0 (1) Krzysztof Ratajski
20:08 , Mike JonesThis set is firmly in Ratajski’s hands now after scores of 180, 140 and 105.
He leaves himself with 76 bit messes up!
Littler has double tops and nails it to win the leg and add more pressure onto his opponent.
It’s been that kind of match for Ratajski who hasn’t capitalised on promising positions.
Luke Littler 4 (0) - 0 (1) Krzysztof Ratajski
20:06 , Mike JonesA dominant leg from Ratajski - with the darts - sees him take the lead in the fifth set.
It’s only the fifth leg won by the Pole.
Luke Littler 4 (0) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
20:05 , Mike JonesOne more set for Littler to book his place in the semi-finals.
Will it be this one or can Ratajski offer up some resistance?
Luke Littler 4 (0) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
20:00 , Mike JonesClose! Ratajski outscores Littler and leaves 167 to check out.
He hits treble 20, then treble 19 but slides wide of the bullseye.
Littler misses 130 but Ratajski doesn’t make him pay.
Littler then steps up to the oche and drills his favourite double 10 to move 4-0 up in the match!
Luke Littler 3 (2) - 0 (2) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:58 , Mike JonesLovely from Ratajski!
An 11 dart leg from the 49-year-old forces Littler to throw for the set.
This is the pressure Ratajski needed to assert on the world champion.
Luke Littler 3 (2) - 0 (1) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:57 , Mike JonesLittler leaves himself a 170 checkout to go back into the lead but misses the bullseye!
He then has to come down to double five to get the job done and does so with ease.
One more leg for 4-0.
Luke Littler 3 (1) - 0 (1) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:55 , Mike JonesRatajski lands double 16 to take out 42 against the throw and he gets a leg on the board.
Littler has blown him away in this match so far and responds by taking the next leg with a 54 checkout.
Ratajski has to hang in there and put some pressure on. Littler has been too good.
Luke Littler 3 (0) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:51 , Mike JonesThe nine darter is on!
180, 180 from Luke Littler and there’s a 141 for the world champion to finish.
He slips under the treble 20 though!
The crowd are disappointed. He leaves himself with 100 to checkout and easily lands it.
Three sets to Littler!
Luke Littler 2 (2) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:49 , Mike JonesLittler begins the next leg with a maximum but Ratajski fires back with a 180 of his own.
The crowd boos as neither player can keep the possibility of a nine darter going.
Littler scores better and leaves 121. He sets up with 80 and then hits double tops again to move two legs ahead.
Luke Littler 2 (1) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:47 , Mike Jones180! A fourth in the last five legs for Littler as he scores quickly to leave 140 int he first leg of the third set.
Littler misses the first treble 20 but scores 100 to leave 40 with Ratajski not on a finish.
Littler nails double 20 to win his fifth straight leg.
Luke Littler 2 (0) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:42 , Mike JonesLittler averages 100 and that’s also the number he checks out with treble 20, double tops to clinch the second set.
Littler moves two ahead and that already looks unassailable.
Luke Littler 1 (2) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:40 , Mike JonesRatajski is resilient though. A 180 at the right time gets him down to a finish of 96 first.
He can’t land it with his first shot at double 16. Left with 16, the Pole is wild and leaves himself with double two.
He misses that as will with three throws and Littler punishes him to take the leg!
That could be a tough beat for the 49-year-old who missed seven darts at a double.
Luke Littler 1 (1) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:37 , Mike JonesAn almost regulation start to the set from Littler. He’s left with six darts to checkout 128.
He needs three! A bullseye finish sees him land the leg in 12 darts.
Littler is ticking now.
Luke Littler 1 (0) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:36 , Mike JonesLittler celebrated wildly after landing that 170.
He wasn’t playing his best darts in that first set and maybe that checkout will fire him up.
He has the darts for the first leg in the second set.
Luke Littler 1 (0) - 0 (0) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:33 , Mike JonesIncredible!
Littler starts off with a 180 maximum in the decider and leaves himself with a 170 checkout as Ratajski asserts a bit of pressure.
Treble 20, treble 20, bullseye!
All hit but the reigning champion who wins the first set against the darts and gets the crowd cheering his name.
What a start!
Luke Littler 0 (2) - 0(2) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:30 , Mike JonesMissed! With 40 remaining Littler hits 20 and then misses two darts at his favourite double.
Ratajski makes him pay and lands double nine to force a deciding leg in the opening set.
Luke Littler 0 (2) - 0(1) Krzysztof Ratajski
19:29 , Mike JonesWow! Littler throws a wild first dart which lands in the treble one.
He follows up with a treble 19 and double 10 to check out 80 and nick the darts off Ratajski to set up the first set.
Littler needs one leg to take the first set.
Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
19:24 , Mike JonesRatajski will get this match underway. Littler has only dropped two sets so far in the tournament but how will he fare tonight?
Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
19:20 , Mike JonesBoth players make their way to the stage walking out to music and fanfare.
A few practice throws follow and we’re almost ready for this quarter-final to get started...
Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
19:17 , Mike JonesRatajski has been throwing some incredible darts during his run through this tournament.
At 49-years-old he’s an experienced customer but how will he handle the increased pressure of playing against Luke Littler?
Littler is the world champion and the poster boy for darts. He brings more interest than any other competitor and that could be a factor into how Ratajski plays.
Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
19:10 , Mike JonesThe reigning world champion takes to the stage first up after a tough period in which he’s been challenged by the fans during his match with Rob Cross.
Can he show some mental fortitude and impress again this evening?
World Darts Championship tonight
19:05 , Lawrence OstlereThe action will be starting very soon. A reminder of tonight’s line-up:
- Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
- Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
Record prize money
18:50 , Lawrence OstlereThe winner of the 2026 World Darts Championship will scoop a record £1m prize – double the money Luke Littler won 12 months ago.
This year’s 128 players were playing for a £5m prize pool in total, with everyone guaranteed to take home at least £15,000.
The eight quarter-finalists are all set to win at least £100,000, with the beaten semi-finallists earning £200,000 and the runner-up taking home £400,000.
First round: £15,000
Second round: £25,000
Third round: £35,000
Fourth round: £60,000
Quarter-finals: £100,000
Semi-final: £200,000
Runner-up: £400,000
Winner: £1,000,000
Hidden mics, hi-tech cameras and ‘the spotter’: How the darts is beamed onto our TV screens
18:39 , Lawrence OstlereBehind the scenes at Alexandra Palace this Christmas is an intricate, high-paced operation to capture every dart of the tournament, as Lawrence Ostlere discovers:
Hidden mics and ‘the spotter’: How the darts is beamed onto our TV screens
Anderson and Searle already through
18:30 , Mike JonesIn the afternoon’s quarter-finals Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle became the first two players to reach the semi-finals.
Anderson defeated Justin Hood 5-2 and Searle swept past Jonny Clayton by the same scoreline.
Anger fuelled me, says Littler
18:26 , Lawrence OstlereLittler's reaction may have set the alarm bells ringing in the rest of the field as he averaged 106.5 and threw 17 180s in a champion-like performance.
"It definitely fuelled me up and it made me play better," he added.
"I am only a few games away from lifting the trophy once again but the performance really doesn't feel like a 106.5, because there was that much adrenaline going through me, that much emotion, the anger.
"I am glad I won."
Littler apologises for on-stage rant
18:13 , Lawrence Ostlere"That's the first time I've been at the World Championships and the crowd have not wanted me to win. I will expect the worst on New Year's Day and whatever happens will happen.
"The fans did what they did, I reacted like any other player would, I think I might have reacted a bit too early on after the first set and when I came on for the second set I said to myself, 'Yeah, you've reacted too early here'.
"I just had to get on with the job. It wasn't really at the front of the mind because they want the underdog to win or they want the game to go on even longer."
Littler apologises for on-stage rant
17:59 , Lawrence OstlereBeing booed was certainly an unusual experience for Littler, who has been the darling of the sport since his emergence two years ago.
"I think I lost (my head), it's still on there," the defending champion said. "Two years ago I think I would have started throwing my darts left-handed, but that is how much I have grown, how much I have matured.
"People might say I have not matured, but try and be in my position.
"I can still learn a lot. I can learn how to deal with the crowd, not let as much emotion out, just keep it all in me until that final dart.”
Littler apologises for on-stage rant
17:55 , Lawrence OstlereAt the time, Littler doubled down during his on-stage interview, saying: "You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money, thank you for booing me."
Littler's mother Lisa later hit out at the spectators who booed her son.
Replying to a post on X saying Littler had "financially ridiculed a whole audience who've paid their hard earned money to go and watch him", she said: "So they buy tickets with there [sic] hard earned money to sit there like t**** and boo."
Littler apologises for on-stage rant
17:47 , Lawrence OstlereLuke Littler admits he "lost" his head when reacting to the hostile crowd during his fourth-round World Championship win over Rob Cross and still has some learning to do.
The 18-year-old was booed and jeered as he beat Cross 4-2 to book his place in the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.
Littler let the emotion out after throwing the winning darts, running around the stage gesturing to the crowd, who had wanted Cross to win.
Humphries: I must be better to win world title
17:35 , Lawrence OstlereLuke Humphries admitted he needed to improve despite storming into the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace with a 4-1 win over Dutchman Kevin Doets.
Humphries, the 2024 champion, hit back after losing the first set to cruise through the next four and book a last-eight clash with rising star Gian van Veen tonight.
Humphries said in his on-stage interview: "It was a decent performance - it kind of dropped off towards the end, but when you're 3-1 up, you want a good set to prove yourself and not create any unnecessary drama.
"I feel like I've played well but I feel like there's another level in me, which is important. If you're going to win this tournament, you have to have another level in you because that won't win you the World Championship."
World Darts Championship 2026
14:48 , Lawrence OstlereHello and welcome along to live coverage of the World Darts Championship, and what a line up we’ve got tonight. Stick with us because this could be a fun one.
- Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
- Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
