Key events
We’re about half an hour away from the opener – and your predictions are welcome. I think if Ryan Searle can settle, he can push Littler early on, but the world No 1’s relentless scoring power may prove too much. Prediction: Littler 6-3 Searle.
Littler v Searle: tale of the tape
Luke Littler
Age: 18. From: Warrington. Seeded: No 1.
Nickname: The Nuke. Title odds: 1-2.
Path to the final: R1 bt Labanauskas 3-0, R2 bt Davies 3-0;
R3 bt Sulovic 4-0; R4 bt Cross 4-2; QF bt Ratajski 5-0.
Best worlds performance: Champion (2025).
Ryan Searle
Age: 38. From: Devon. Seeded: No 20.
Nickname: Heavy Metal. Title odds: 22-1.
Path to the final: R1 bt Landman 3-0, R2 bt Dolan 3-0;
R3 by Schindler 4-0; R4 bt Hurrell 4-0; QF bt Clayton 5-2.
Best worlds performance: Semi-finalist (2026).
Head to head record: Littler 5-0 Searle.
Here’s how eight contenders became four in Thursday’s quarter-finals, as we said goodbye to Krzysztof Ratajski, Jonny Clayton, Justin Hood … and Luke Humphries.
Preamble
The Nuke. Heavy Metal. The Giant. The Flying Scotsman. What kind of steampunk terrordome are we walking into tonight? It’s the Alexandra Palace, London and these are the four gladiators still standing after an absolutely vintage world darts championship.
First up, the champion. Luke Littler has been more rattled by the crowd than his opponents on a run to his third semi-final in three appearances. On paper, Ryan Searle looks outmatched – but the Devon dartist has played like a potential winner, dropping just two sets on his way here. If he can start well and get the fans on side, things could get very interesting.
The second match also features a former champion against a form horse, but the roles are reversed for Gian van Veen and Gary Anderson. Van Veen has been the tournament’s standout player and anointed as the most likely to stop Littler. That said, two-time world champ Anderson is a master of this stage with vast experience – and looks close to his clinical best.
In short, it’s a big night – so grab what’s left of your festive snacks and settle in for some of the finest sporting drama you’ll see anywhere in 2026. Game on!
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