### World Darts Championship 2026: Luke Littler's Title Defense Begins The 2026 PDC World Darts Championship is set to commence on December 11, 2025, at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London. Defending champion Luke Littler, who made history as the youngest world champion in PDC history in 2025, will kick off his title defense against Darius Labanauskas. This year's tournament promises to be exciting, with a new format featuring 128 players and a total prize pool of £1 million, making it one of the most lucrative events in darts history. Littler's recent victory at the Players Championship Finals adds to the anticipation surrounding his performance in the upcoming championship [https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/13475673/world-darts-championship-2026-schedule-fixtures-and-results-from-alexandra-palace-with-luke-littler-beau-greaves-michael-van-gerwen-in-action][https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/darts/luke-littler-world-darts-championship-36312558]. ### Structure of the World Darts Championship Overview 1. **Tournament Schedule and Format** - The championship will run from December 11, 2025, to January 3, 2026. - The format has expanded from 96 to 128 players, increasing competition levels. - Prize money totals £1 million, with significant rewards for top performers [https://www.espn.co.uk/darts/story/_/id/46932213/pdc-world-darts-championship-2025-2026-schedule-how-watch-prize-money-dates-more]. 2. **Key Players and Matches** - Luke Littler will face Darius Labanauskas in the first round. - Other notable matches include Beau Greaves against Daryl Gurney. - The tournament features several top-ranked players, including Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries [https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/13474767/world-darts-championship-draw-luke-littler-begins-defence-against-darius-labanauskas-with-beau-greaves-to-face-daryl-gurney-at-alexandra-palace]. 3. **Littler's Recent Achievements** - Littler recently won his first Players Championship Finals title, defeating Nathan Aspinall 11-8. - This victory solidifies his status as the world number one and builds momentum heading into the championship [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/darts/luke-littler-grand-slam-of-darts-luke-humphries-chris-dobey-gerwyn-price-b2870933.html][https://www.flashscore.com/news/darts-players-championship-finals-luke-littler-beats-nathan-aspinall-to-clinch-players-championship-finals-crown/xA7PHBUP]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Tournament Dates**: December 11, 2025 - January 3, 2026. - **Prize Money**: £1 million total prize pool. - **Player Count**: Expanded from 96 to 128 players. - **Littler's Recent Titles**: - Players Championship Finals: Winner against Nathan Aspinall (11-8) [https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/darts/world-darts-championship-draw-full-36299466]. - Youngest PDC World Champion in history [https://www.dartsworld.com/2025/11/ally-pally-2026-littler-faces-lucky-d]. ### Conclusion: Anticipation for the 2026 Championship In summary, the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship is poised to be a thrilling event, particularly with Luke Littler defending his title. The tournament's new format and substantial prize money will attract a competitive field, making it a must-watch for darts fans. Key points include: 1. **Littler's Title Defense**: Starting against Labanauskas on December 11. 2. **Expanded Format**: 128 players competing for a £1 million prize. 3. **Recent Success**: Littler's victory at the Players Championship Finals enhances his championship prospects. The combination of Littler's recent form and the competitive landscape of the tournament sets the stage for an exciting championship at Alexandra Palace [https://www.espn.co.uk/darts/story/_/id/47075311/luke-littler-beats-nathan-aspinall-title].