Day 16 at Ally Pally (Mon 29 Dec 2025) is pure darts-fan heaven: a full double-session with three Round Three matches in the afternoon and then a blockbuster evening that includes **Luke Littler vs Rob Cross** for a quarter-final spot.

Ally Pally Fan Blog: Day 16 Fever

There’s something about this part of the World Championship that hits different. The Christmas leftovers are gone, the bracket is getting serious, and suddenly every set feels like it comes with consequences. Day 16 is stacked as a proper double-session: three Round Three matches in the afternoon, then one more Round Three match and two Round Four clashes at night—best of seven sets all the way.[1]

And yes: it ends with Luke Littler vs Rob Cross. If that doesn’t get the kettle on and the group chat buzzing, nothing will.

The vibe today

This is the stage of the tournament where “good darts” isn’t enough—you need nerve, timing, and that one filthy visit when the match is wobbling. The PDC itself is calling it a bumper day with six matches, and it really feels like the schedule is designed to keep fans glued to the screen from lunchtime to late.

Best of seven sets is the perfect recipe for drama too: long enough for momentum swings, but short enough that one sloppy set can put a favourite right on the edge.

Afternoon session (12:30 GMT)

Three Round Three matches kick off the day session: Justin Hood vs Ryan Meikle, Ricky Evans vs Charlie Manby, and Nathan Aspinall vs Kevin Doets.

From a fan point of view, this is the kind of afternoon where you pick one underdog and emotionally overcommit within five minutes. Hood being on this stage at all is a story in itself, Evans is always chaos (in a good way), and Aspinall vs Doets has “this could get tense fast” written all over it.

Evening session (19:00 GMT)

The night session starts with Josh Rock vs Callan Rydz to finish Round Three, and then Round Four begins immediately after with James Hurrell vs Ryan Searle followed by Luke Littler vs Rob Cross.

Hurrell vs Searle is a fascinating “who blinks first?” matchup, and the PDC even notes this is a shot at the quarter-finals for the first time for both players—exactly the sort of milestone pressure that makes doubles feel twice as narrow.

Littler vs Cross: can’t-miss TV

The PDC frames Littler vs Cross as a clash of former world champions, with Littler returning as the reigning champion and Cross standing in the way of another deep run.

This is the matchup that screams “Ally Pally moment”: Cross has that calm, clinical vibe when everything is loud, and Littler has the kind of scoring power that can turn a set into a blur. The best part as a fan is that it’s not just about averages—this one will be about who lands the big double when the set is on a knife-edge.

Prize money at this year’s Darts World Championship has been increased significantly. The new champion will take home a staggering £1 million. Yet despite that eye-watering prize pot, some players are still “just” doing their regular day jobs — even while the tournament is being played.

For Raymond van Barneveld, the Darts World Championship turned into a nightmare. The five-time world champion suffered a hopeless first-round defeat and then spoke openly about a lack of motivation. Money now appears to be his only reason for carrying on, sport marketer Chris Woerts suggests as well.

There was little joy for top dart player Callan Rydz after he beat Daryl Gurney in a brilliant match at the Darts World Championship. At the time, the Englishman’s grandfather was fighting for his life. A few days later, the news turned grim: Rydz’s grandfather has passed away.

Wesley Plaisier has delivered the biggest Dutch upset so far at the Darts World Championship. The 35-year-old threw a 3–0 sets win over former world champion Gerwyn Price. Afterwards, Plaisier received a flood of congratulations — including from a much-talked-about footballer. “Of course I’ve been disappointed in him at times, ” he said.

Next year’s Darts World Championship (2026–27) will feature an even more diverse field. While there was room for just one African player this year, the next edition will add an extra qualifier from the continent.

After Christmas, the Darts World Championship resumes with 32 top players still in the running — including six Dutchmen. That also means nine Dutch players have already been knocked out. How much prize money did they take home? And how much is still up for grabs for the Dutch players who remain in the tournament?

It was one of the most nail-biting matches at the Darts World Championship so far: the clash between Danny Noppert and Justin Hood. The relatively unknown Englishman kept his nerve superbly in the closing stages, but earlier in the match he couldn’t control himself. He produced a “curious” moment, leaving British commentators shocked.

Michael van Gerwen may have wobbled in the opening round of the World Darts Championship, but on Tuesday he showed he still has to be taken seriously. The three-time world champion produced a strong performance against William O’Connor — much to the delight of Vincent van der Voort. “This is how you want to see him, ” the former pro dart player said on the Sportnieuws.nl podcast WK Darts Draait Door.

The Dutch are doing well at the Darts World Championship. With Christmas approaching, no fewer than six Dutch players will be back on stage at Ally Pally in the days between the holidays. Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen have made an excellent impression so far — as has Luke Littler. Check the remaining schedule and all results from the Darts World Championship here.

Michael van Gerwen has made it crystal clear what he thinks of rival Peter Wright, using words that left little room for interpretation. The Dutchman was set to face the two-time world champion in the third round, but Wright lost in sensational fashion to German debutant Arno Merk. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, cruised through his own match and had a pointed message for his old rival.

It doesn’t happen often, but Michael van Gerwen has switched equipment again at the World Darts Championship. The Dutchman had no trouble at all with William O’Connor in the second round and revealed afterwards that he’d made a change. Fans will see more of it in the third round.

The familiar sounds are back. The roar of the crowd, the unmistakable thud of tungsten hitting sisal, and the booming voice of the master of ceremonies echoing through Alexandra Palace. The festive season has truly begun, not with sleigh bells, but with the explosive start of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Tonight, the stage was set for a classic Ally Pally drama. We saw seasoned veterans return to the place where legends are made, their focus unwavering amidst the electrifying atmosphere. Alongside them, a new generation of darting talent, eyes wide with a mix of nerves and ambition, stepped into the spotlight for the first time. The international qualifiers, representing countries from across the globe, are all here with one shared dream: to cause an upset and etch their name in history.

The opening night didn't disappoint. A nail-biting final-leg decider in the second match had the crowd on their feet, and a tantalizing eight perfect darts in the final game of the evening left everyone breathless—a sign of the incredible standard we can expect over the coming weeks. This is just the beginning. The road to the final is long, paved with pressure, moments of genius, and inevitable heartbreak.

Who will handle the heat? Who will falter? And who will be the last one standing to lift the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy in the new year? Strap in, the darting rollercoaster has left the station.

Littler Cements World No. 1 Status with Minehead Victory

Luke Littler has captured his first Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals title, defeating Nathan Aspinall 11-8 in the final at Butlin’s Minehead Resort. Entering the tournament as the newly crowned world number one, the 18-year-old secured the £120, 000 top prize and his sixth televised ranking title of the year—a record previously achieved only by Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.

The Final: A Test of Nerve
While Littler stormed to an early 8-4 lead, he faced a serious challenge from "The Asp." Aspinall mounted a fierce comeback with finishes of 87, 127, and 86 to narrow the gap to 9-8. However, Littler halted the momentum with a crucial 14-dart break and sealed the win with a sublime 171 set-up and an 88 checkout on double six, finishing the match with a 103.33 average.

Statistical Dominance
Littler’s path to the trophy was defined by relentless scoring. He boasted a remarkable tournament average of 105.58 across six matches. His "Finals Day" performance was particularly imperious:
Quarter-Final: Defeated Chris Dobey 10-5 (107.88 average).
Semi-Final: Defeated Gerwyn Price 11-8 (108.48 average with ten 180s).

Aspinall Returns to the Top 16
Despite the loss, it was a successful weekend for Nathan Aspinall. His run to the final—which included a decisive 11-2 victory over Jermaine Wattimena in the semis—has propelled him back into the world’s top 16 (now ranked 15th) just ahead of the World Championship. He also confirmed his qualification for next year's Grand Slam of Darts.

Notable Dutch Performance
Jermaine Wattimena enjoyed a strong run to the semi-finals. The Dutchman defeated Wesley Plaisier, Ryan Joyce, and Ryan Searle before booking his spot in the last four with a 10-8 win over James Wade. His quarter-final victory against Wade was highlighted by a sensational 156 checkout and a 62% success rate on doubles.

Final
Luke Littler 16-11 Luke Humphries

Luke Littler delivered a dazzling performance to defeat his long-time rival Luke Humphries and successfully defend his Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts title on a historic Sunday in Wolverhampton.  

The teenage prodigy became just the fourth player to retain the prestigious Eric Bristow Trophy, overcoming the 2023 champion 16–11 to extend his unbeaten run at WV Active Aldersley. Having triumphed on his Grand Slam debut a year ago, Littler has now amassed 14 straight wins, following up his semi-final victory over Danny Noppert with another masterclass in the final.  

Littler breezed through the group stage with emphatic wins over Karel Sedláček, Connor Scutt and Daryl Gurney, before dispatching Wessel Nijman in Round Two. After a thrilling comeback against Josh Rock in the quarters, he powered past Noppert 16–9 — reeling off seven consecutive legs to book a blockbuster showdown with Humphries.  

Humphries led for much of the final, but Littler’s sensational mid-match finishing, including a pivotal 160 checkout to move 11–9 ahead, swung the momentum decisively. The Warrington starlet went on to win ten of the last 13 legs, sealing the £150, 000 top prize and ascending to world number one — ending Humphries’ 23-month reign at the summit.  

“It was always going to be tough, ” said Littler, who averaged 100.61 and struck fifteen 180s to claim his second PDC Premier title. “Luke played brilliantly tonight. It was a strange match, but I’m delighted to come through it. That 160 was a real game-changer for me.”  

Humphries had made a strong start, taking a 4–2 lead with sharp finishing and clinical two-dart combinations. Littler responded with a three-leg surge before Humphries levelled with a tidy 112 finish. The 30-year-old regained control at 8–6 after successive 12-darters, only for Littler to strike back with a 167 checkout to tie and then a roof-raising 160 that turned the tide for good.  

Despite a late hold from Humphries, Littler closed out with a composed 96 finish to seal another landmark triumph. “I’m really proud of this week, ” Humphries reflected. “It’s been three finals in a row without a win, which hurts, but I’m playing well. Luke deserves everything — he’s been brilliant for darts and fully earned world number one.”  

Humphries earned his final spot after an electric 16–13 victory over Gerwyn Price, producing a 106.25 average and 16 maximums in the semi-final. Yet the night ultimately belonged to Littler, who capped an extraordinary year with his fifth televised ranking title — a feat previously achieved only by Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.  

Group A

• Luke Humphries 5 - 0 Alex Spellman
• Michael Smith 5 - 3 Nathan Aspinall
• Luke Humphries 5 - 3 Nathan Aspinall
• Michael Smith 5 - 2 Alex Spellman
• Luke Humphries 5 - 3 Michael Smith
• Nathan Aspinall 5 - 2 Alex Spellman

Group B

• Chris Dobey 5 - 1 Jurjen van der Velde
• Damon Heta 5 - 1 Martin Lukeman
• Chris Dobey 5 - 1 Damon Heta
• Jurjen van der Velde 5 - 4 Martin Lukeman
• Chris Dobey 5 - 1 Martin Lukeman
• Jurjen van der Velde 5 - 3 Damon Heta

Group C

• Alexis Toylo 5 - 4 Stephen Bunting
• Luke Woodhouse 5 - 2 Martin Schindler
• Martin Schindler 5 - 4 Stephen Bunting
• Luke Woodhouse 5 - 2 Alexis Toylo
• Luke Woodhouse 5 - 4 Stephen Bunting
• Martin Schindler 5 - 2 Alexis Toylo

Group D

• Stefan Bellmont 5 - 4 James Wade
• Ricky Evans 5 - 4 Gerwyn Price
• Gerwyn Price 5 - 0 James Wade
• Ricky Evans 5 - 4 Stefan Bellmont
• James Wade 5 - 2 Ricky Evans
• Gerwyn Price 5 - 1 Stefan Bellmont

Group E

• Luke Littler 5 - 1 Karel Sedlacek
• Connor Scutt 5 - 4 Daryl Gurney
• Luke Littler 5 - 1 Daryl Gurney
• Connor Scutt 5 - 3 Karel Sedlacek
• Luke Littler 5 - 3 Connor Scutt
• Karel Sedlacek 5 - 3 Daryl Gurney

Group F

• Gian van Veen 5 - 4 Lisa Ashton
• Wessel Nijman 5 - 4 Josh Rock
• Josh Rock 5 - 2 Gian van Veen
• Wessel Nijman 5 - 0 Lisa Ashton
• Gian van Veen 5 - 3 Wessel Nijman
• Josh Rock 5 - 0 Lisa Ashton

Group G

• Michael van Gerwen 5 - 4 Beau Greaves
• Niko Springer 5 - 3 Gary Anderson
• Michael van Gerwen 5 - 2 Gary Anderson
• Beau Greaves 5 - 3 Niko Springer
• Niko Springer 5 - 4 Michael van Gerwen
• Gary Anderson 5 - 4 Beau Greaves

Group H

• Cam Crabtree 5 - 1 Jonny Clayton
• Danny Noppert 5 - 4 Lukas Wenig
• Jonny Clayton 5 - 4 Danny Noppert
• Lukas Wenig 5 - 1 Cam Crabtree
• Lukas Wenig 5 - 3 Jonny Clayton
• Danny Noppert 5 - 4 Cam Crabtree

Last 16

• Luke Humphries 10 - 3 Jurjen van der Velde
• Michael Smith 10 - 9 Chris Dobey
• Ricky Evans 10 - 9 Luke Woodhouse
• Gerwyn Price 10 - 6 Martin Schindler
• Luke Littler 10 - 4 Wessel Nijman
• Josh Rock 10 - 9 Connor Scutt
• Danny Noppert 10 - 6 Michael van Gerwen
• Lukas Wenig 10 - 8 Niko Springer

Quarter-Finals

• Luke Humphries 16 - 8 Michael Smith
• Gerwyn Price 16 - 9 Ricky Evans
• Luke Littler 16 - 12 Josh Rock
• Danny Noppert 16 - 8 Lukas Wenig

Semi-Finals

• Luke Humphries 16 - 13 Gerwyn Price
• Luke Littler 16 - 9 Danny Noppert

Final

• Luke Littler 16 - 11 Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen delivered a stunning display to defeat world number one Luke Humphries and capture the Machineseeker European Championship 2025 in Dortmund on Sunday night.  

The Dutchman, rapidly rising over the past two years, sealed his first televised ranking title in front of a record crowd at Westfalenhalle, marking a career breakthrough.  

Though Humphries raced ahead to a 4-1 lead after a cautious start, Van Veen turned the momentum in electrifying fashion—claiming four of the next five legs with world-class 13, 10, 12, and 13-dart finishes to level at 5-5. That spell included a brilliant 160 checkout, and the 23-year-old continued his charge with precise 121 and 91 finishes to move 8-6 in front.  

Van Veen’s third ton-plus finish, a 112 out, put him up 9-7, but Humphries responded by taking back-to-back legs and edging ahead 10-9. Just when the World No. 1 looked ready to close out victory, Van Veen fought back, overcoming two missed match darts, before Humphries forced a thrilling final leg with a clutch 85 finish on the bull.  

With the match on the line, Van Veen made no mistake in the decider, clinching the title with a flawless 100 checkout on double 16.  

“This is an unbelievable feeling, ” said Van Veen, who earned £120, 000 and rose to a career-best world number seven. “After missing my first chance and Luke’s bull finish, I thought I’d lost it. To win with that same 100 checkout is just incredible. I’ll never forget tonight, and to claim my first major title here in Germany makes it even more special.”  

Humphries was gracious in defeat, praising Van Veen’s play in the critical sessions and confirming his status as one of darts’ brightest up-and-coming stars, despite the disappointment of falling just short of his first European Championship crown. The world number one had put on strong performances all weekend, notably seeing off Krzysztof Ratajski, Cameron Menzies, James Wade, and Danny Noppert, but it was Van Veen’s resilience and finishing power that ultimately made the difference.

2025 Machineseeker European Championship
Sunday October 26
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Gian van Veen 10-5 Ryan Joyce 
Michael van Gerwen 10-7 Daryl Gurney
Danny Noppert 10-5 Ricardo Pietreczko
Luke Humphries 10-3 James Wade

Semi-Finals
Gian van Veen 11-9 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries 11-8 Danny Noppert

Final
Gian van Veen 11-10 Luke Humphries

Nathan Aspinall clinched his third European Tour title of the season with a hard-fought 8-6 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode in Sunday’s Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Championship final.  

The Stockport ace delivered a phenomenal weekend performance to secure top position in the European Tour rankings, completing a German treble after earlier triumphs in Göttingen and Leverkusen.  

Aspinall was at his best from the outset at Halle 39, averaging 103 and 107 in early-round wins against Maximilian Czerwinski and Ross Smith. His form continued into Finals Day, producing a stunning 110 average to sweep past Steve Lennon before overcoming Jermaine Wattimena and Gian van Veen in later rounds.  

After defeating Wattimena 6-4 in the quarter-finals, Aspinall came from 6-3 down to stun Van Veen in the semi-finals, hitting seven 180s during a remarkable four-leg comeback.  

In the title decider, Aspinall faced another in-form Dutchman as Van Duijvenbode chased his first European Tour crown in front of an enthralled Hildesheim crowd. The Dutch star, who hit a nine-darter on Day One, came close to repeating the feat in leg two but ultimately settled for a ten-dart leg.  

The match was evenly balanced early on, but Aspinall pulled clear midway through, stringing together three consecutive legs of 14, 13, and 14 darts to take command. He extended his lead to 6-2 with a superb 121 checkout before Van Duijvenbode fought back with four straight legs to level at six-all.  

Aspinall held firm under pressure, holding throw in the 13th leg and sealing victory with a precise 74 finish to end the European Tour season on a high.  

“I took a 6-2 lead but Dirk did to me what I usually do to others—he came back fighting, ” said Aspinall, who averaged 101 for the tournament. “I’ve loved every minute of this weekend. It’s amazing to win my third title, and being top seed going into the European Championship gives me huge confidence.”  

Aspinall joined the elite ranks of Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Luke Humphries, and Dave Chisnall as just the fifth player to win three European Tour titles in a single year. “I’m in great company, ” he added. “It took me ten years to win my first, but I’ve found the formula now. The last few months have been tough since the World Matchplay, but I’ve worked hard and it’s brilliant to lift another trophy.”  

Despite missing out on the £30, 000 top prize, Van Duijvenbode impressed throughout, reaching his third European Tour final—and first since June 2023. The Dutchman opened with a nine-darter against Karel Sedlacek, then averaged an incredible 117.74 in his win over Chris Dobey. He went on to edge past Martin Schindler and defending champion Peter Wright before defeating Krzysztof Ratajski 7-3 in the semi-finals.  

Ratajski’s semi-final run confirmed his place at the upcoming European Championship, after a weekend that included victories over Felix Springer, Ryan Searle, Ryan Joyce, and Dave Chisnall.  

Gian van Veen also had a standout weekend, thrashing Jonny Clayton 6-1 and averaging over 105 in victory against his World Cup partner Danny Noppert. Noppert, meanwhile, mounted a comeback win from 4-0 down to beat Gerwyn Price earlier in the day. Wattimena, Wright, and Chisnall also enjoyed resurgent showings, with Wattimena averaging 111 in a memorable Round Three all-Dutch clash with Wessel Nijman.  

Luke Littler claimed his first BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix championship with a dominant 6-1 victory over rival Luke Humphries at Leicester's Mattioli Arena on Sunday evening.🎯

Championship Performance

The teenage sensation secured his place in the prestigious double-start tournament's history books, dismantling Humphries in front of a captivated crowd. Humphries, appearing in his third straight final at the venue, struggled to match Littler's clinical precision throughout the contest.

Littler seized control early, claiming the opening four sets via deciding legs to build an imposing lead. Although Humphries managed a resurgence in the fifth set to avoid a complete shutout, Littler quickly re-established his four-set advantage with a devastating sixth-set performance before sealing the £120, 000 winner's purse.

Post-Match Reflections

This tournament is incredibly challenging to win, and this entire week has been grueling, said Littler, who narrowly missed achieving a nine-darter after failing to hit the bullseye during the high-caliber final. Now that I've claimed the trophy, I can cross this off my list – there aren't many major titles remaining!

The Warrington prodigy credited lessons learned from the World Matchplay, emphasizing his improved ability to deliver crucial finishes and high scores when pressured by Humphries. He stayed close throughout, so I couldn't afford to ease up. I'm delighted with this victory, he added.

Path to Victory

Littler's Leicester triumph came after impressive wins against Gian van Veen, Mike De Decker, Gerwyn Price, and Jonny Clayton during the tournament. The UK Open and World Matchplay champion has openly expressed his ambition to surpass Humphries and claim the world number one ranking. This latest success narrows the gap to just £70, 000 behind his World Cup teammate.

That's not much prize money considering our typical earnings, " Littler remarked. "Luke understands I'm closing in – I'm right on his heels.

Humphries' Perspective

The reigning world champion fell short of capturing his second double-start title, despite matching Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen's achievement of reaching three consecutive World Grand Prix finals. After defeating Nathan Aspinall, Krzysztof Ratajski, Cameron Menzies, and Danny Noppert en route to Sunday's championship match, Humphries collected £60, 000 as runner-up.

This is difficult to accept and disappointing. Luke is extraordinarily clinical, Humphries said graciously. In those first four sets, I squandered numerous opportunities – double 16 had been reliable for three years, but not tonight.

Humphries praised his opponent's exceptional skill while vowing improvement: I'll return. We have many future encounters, and I must perform better – but his talent is remarkable. I need to practice more intensely, or he'll continue dominating. I must fully commit to my craft and work harder than ever to compete with him.

Match Highlights

The opening set proved chaotic before Littler drew first blood. Despite Humphries posting a 104 average in the second set, Littler doubled his lead after following a spectacular 177 with a precise 64 checkout on tops.

Littler nearly etched his name into World Grand Prix history books during the third set's opening, missing only the bullseye for a double-start nine-darter – which would have made him the fourth player to achieve perfection at this event. He nevertheless secured set three with a 104 finish.

Humphries demonstrated resilience with checkouts of 149 and 110 in consecutive 12-dart legs, but Littler prevailed through another deciding leg to establish a 4-0 advantage. The world number one salvaged the fifth set with a spectacular 154 finish, though Littler's brilliant 11-darter in set six restored his commanding four-set cushion.

Luke Littler 6-1 Luke Humphries (3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2)

Tournament Structure Knockout (The tournament format may include a consolation bracket for eliminated players.)

Seeding System: Random draw at the start of the tounament. 

Single Elimination Format: Players face direct elimination after losing a single match, creating high-stakes competition throughout the tournament. The bracket structure starts with 13-512 players.

Game Format and Rules

501 Format: Each individual leg uses the standard 501 format where players start with 501 points and must reduce their score to exactly zero. Players throw three darts per turn, alternating between opponents.

Finishing Requirements: Players must finish with a double (outer ring) or bullseye - this is called a "double out" finish. If a player reduces their score below zero or to exactly one, they "bust" and their turn ends with their score returning to what it was at the start of their turn.

Match Structure: Knockout matches are played in "Best of" formats, such as:
- Early rounds: Best of 5 legs (first to 3 legs wins)
- Later rounds: Best of 7 legs (first to 4 legs wins) 
- Finals: Often Best of 9 or Best of 11 legs
- You can set this yourself, before the start of the tournament

Progression and Elimination

Round Advancement: Winners advance to the next round while losers are immediately eliminated from the tournament. Each round typically halves the field until reaching the final.

This format creates intense pressure as every match is do-or-die, contributing to the excitement and unpredictability that makes Darts compelling to watch.

• Players who lose in the main tournament have the option to play in a second elimination round, if you set this up