Major change to PDC World Darts as Luke Littler forced to go through Wimbledon style format to win £1million jackpot
LUKE LITTLER will have to win SEVEN games to claim a £1million jackpot – as darts chiefs adopt a Wimbledon-style draw for the next PDC World Championship.
And a minimum of four women will compete on the Alexandra Palace stage this Christmas at the sport's biggest ever tournament.
Advertisement
2
Luke Littler will have to battle through a Wimbledon-style format to retain his World Darts Champion title
Credit: Getty
2
The 2025/26 edition of the event will be the biggest ever, with double the prize money and a record 128 players
Credit: Alamy
A record 128 darts players will participate in the lucrative flagship event, which starts in December 2025 and runs until the first week of January 2026.
In a landmark move, the Professional Darts Corporation have increased the prize money for the winner of the Sid Waddell Trophy, doubling it from £500,000 to a record £1million.
The total prize fund will top £5million for the first time.
history
when he lifted the title aged 17 on January 3, beating 7-3 Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in the final at Ally Pally.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN DARTS
In previous editions, when it was a 96-player field, the top names were parachuted into the competition via the second round.
This time, however, it will be a straight 128-player draw with the top 32 in the world being seeded.
This is a similar structure to the men's and women's singles draws at Wimbledon.
Players ranked 33-64 will be drawn at random into the left-hand side of the draw against the remaining 64 qualifiers.
Advertisement
Most read in Darts
Latest
Exclusive
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
The top 40 players from the PDC Order of Merit following November's Players
Championship
Finals at Butlin's Minehead will qualify automatically.
The top 40 non-qualified players from the ProTour Order of Merit will also feature in this year's extravaganza – with the remaining 48 places allocated to international qualifiers.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries BOOED by German crowd on day they got their MBEs but fans love their 's---house' walk-on
Places will be allocated for the World Youth Champion, Women's World Matchplay Winner and top performers in Australia, China,
Advertisement
As the illegal war rages in Ukraine, players from Russia and Belarus may only enter 'subject to certain special conditions' – but the PDC have yet to clarify what that entails.
Later this year, a historic
Sky
Sports £125million five-year TV deal will kick-in as more money than ever floods into the sport.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Scott McTominay ‘wanted in mega-money transfer' after inspiring Napoli to stunning Serie A title
SCOTT McTOMINAY is a reported mega-money target for Saudi giants Al-Hilal. The Scot is wanted in the Middle East after 4 Scott McTominay is a big-money target for Al-Hilal Credit: Getty 4 The Scot was named MVP as he fired Napoli to the Serie A title Credit: Getty McTominay, 28, joined the Italians in a £25million move from He went on to score 12 league goals as And McTominay's incredible efforts were recognised by his peers as he was crowned Serie A's Most Valuable Player of the season. However, the ex-Red Devil could now be on the move from Napoli after just one season. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL They already boast a formidable team including Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly and Aleksandar Mitrovic. But new boss Simone Inzaghi, who was in charge of Napoli's rivals Inter last term, now wants to add McTominay to his star squad. He sees the ace fitting into a dynamic midfield three alongside ex-Wolves hero Ruben Neves and Serbian powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Al-Hilal are already said to have made an enquiry to Napoli over a big-mony deal. But Antonio Conte views McTominay as an unsellable player. Scott McTominay dances with old fan while puffing on cigarette as never-ending Napoli title party continues 4 The title specialist has only just agreed to stay at the club himself on the condition that Napoli do not sell any key men. And as a result, the Italians are said to have already rebuffed Al-Hilal's enquiry. But the Saudis are unlikely to give up and could test Napoli's resolve with a cash offer. The champs may not buckle though, as they are set to earn a mint with the sale of Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian was also a target for Al-Hilal but turned down a £63m contract offer amid interest from Europe's top sides. Napoli had been looking for £100m when clubs including Chelsea came calling last summer. But after they were forced to loan Osimhen to Galatasaray for the season, they could accept £40m in the current window. 4 Napoli are ready to sell Victor Osimhen after his Galatasaray loan Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Play-off clash ABANDONED with players marched off pitch and riot police forced to intervene in chaotic scenes
A PLAYOFF match in Italy has been called off after angry fans launched flares, firecrackers and seats onto the pitch. Players were ordered from the field 65 minutes into 5 Salernitana's Serie B playoff with Sampdoria was abandoned after fan trouble Credit: Getty 5 Flares were launched onto the field after Sampdoria took a 2-0 lead on the night Credit: Getty 5 Chairs and firecrackers were also launched onto the pitch Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Sampdoria's players were bundled down the tunnel as riot police moved in Credit: Getty 5 The referee abandoned the game as objects continued to be thrown by fans Credit: Getty Sampdoria led 2-0 at the Stadio Arechi on Sunday night and 4-0 on aggregate in the tie. Angry Salernitana fans turned on their team midway through the second half as relegation loomed. Riot police had to intervene amid chaotic scenes, with the players taken into the dressing rooms as flares were launched from the terraces. Referee Daniele Doveri attempted to get the game restarted ten minutes later. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL But more flares and seats rained down onto the pitch. The match was later abandoned, with Sampdoria avoiding relegation to Serie C for what would have been the first time in their history. Massimo Coda and Giuseppe Sibilli had found the net for Sampdoria either side of half-time to take control of the playoff. Salernitana only needed an aggregate draw to stay up due to their higher placing in the table. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Fan anger began to build in the first half after Gian Piero Ferrari had a goal ruled out for offside. And the Stadio Arechi erupted after Sibilli's goal just after the restart. Is Darwin Nunez set for £50m Serie A switch? Atletico eyeing Robertson? | Transfers Exposed Following last week's first leg, EIGHT Salernitana players were rushed to hospital The game was moved from Friday night to Sunday as a result. In total, 21 members of staff, including eight players, were said to be suffering with "gastrointestinal problems" and were in "excruciating pain".
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Sniffer dogs at Club World Cup wearing CROCS to protect their paws from boiling pavements amid ‘code red' health warning
CHELSEA'S battle with the Club World Cup heatwave has taken a new twist - with sniffer dogs wearing Crocs to protect their paws from red-hot pavements. That was the bizarre sight which greeted the Blues squad when they arrived for their Group D game last Friday against Brazilians Flamengo. Advertisement 5 Sniffer dogs are wearing Crocs at the Club World Cup to protect their paws from hot pavements Credit: Darren Fletcher 5 Temperatures could hit the 40s this week in the USA Credit: Reuters Security rules mean all team buses and staff must pass through checks like everyone else. And with temperatures soaring into the high 30s and a 'code red' health warning being issued by the local authorities, sniffer dogs are being issued with protective shoes. Panting pooches patrolling the Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And the weather is forecast to get even hotter over the next few days as the squad prepares to face Tunisian side ES Tunis in a decisive match. The tournament has been overshadowed by extreme weather as the climate crisis takes its toll on daily life. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Last week, a tornado alert was declared on mobile phones throughout the area of Philadelphia. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The 'code red' warning was followed by predictions of temperatures topping 40C in the coming days. It means specialist cooling centres are opened and the water companies are banned from cutting anyone off. Advertisement Club World Cup clash SUSPENDED as fans and commentators told to leave stands and 'get inside' Munich and former Tottenham striker There are also 5 Players are taking every method to keep cool in the intense heat Credit: Getty Advertisement 5 Towels, water and ice are being used by the stars Credit: Reuters 5 Borussia Dortmund players avoided the heat by sitting in the dressing room for the first half Credit: Getty
