Paddy Power World Darts Championship, start time & TV info
Date Thursday, December 11, 2025, to Saturday, January 3, 2026
Day 18 12.30pm and 7pm Thursday
Venue Alexandra Palace, London
Competition PDC Tour
TV Sky Sports
The biggest field assembled for the Paddy Power World Darts Championship has been whittled down to eight before a day of quarter-final action packed with fascinating storylines.
Can 4-7 title favourite Luke Littler see off Krzysztof Ratajski and move a step closer to back-to-back crowns?
Can Luke Humphries fend off bogey man Gian van Veen to inch closer to another final rematch with The Nuke?
Can Justin Hood continue his fairytale ride, or will Gary Anderson send Happy Feet packing as he strives to reach a sixth final, 15 years after playing in his first?
Paddy Power World Darts Championship day 18 acca
Gary Anderson to beat Justin Hood
Krzysztof Ratajski +3.5 vs Luke Littler
J Clayton vs R Searle Over 16.5 180s
Price guide: 4-1
Paddy Power World Darts Championship day 18 predictions
Best bets
J Clayton to beat Ryan Searle
2pts 6-5 Hills
Gary Anderson to win match & hit most 180s vs Justin Hood
2pts Evs Paddy Power
Luke Littler to hit over 11.5 180s vs Krzysztof Ratajski
2pts Evs BoyleSports
Gian van Veen to beat Luke Humphries
2pts 13-10 general
Ryan Searle vs Jonny Clayton
The afternoon action starts with Ryan Searle against Jonny Clayton – the seedings say the Welshman will win but the formbook suggests Heavy Metal.
Searle has been excellent with a barrage of big averages and after four matches is the only player left who has yet to drop a set.
He surely will against Clayton, who has had to dig deep to beat Niels Zonneveld and Andreas Harrysson.
This is the first time in eight visits that Searle has got this far, but he knows he is playing well enough.
The Ferret, meanwhile, says he just needs to eradicate a few sloppy darts from his armoury and he will be a threat to anyone. He has the pedigree and at the prices is well worth chancing.
Gary Anderson vs Justin Hood
Match two is a real fairytale affair between two-time champ and Ally Pally hero Gary Anderson and world number 86 Justin Hood.
If Hood pinches himself, wakes up and realises what’s going on, there is a chance he could get quite a thumping from the rejuvenated Scot.
However, the way the leftie has played in beating Danny Noppert and especially Josh Rock, who he trounced 4-0, there is no reason to anticipate a major stumble.
That said, Ando looked exceptional coming through really tricky contests against Connor Scutt, Jermaine Wattimena and Michael van Gerwen, and he is oozing self-belief while clearly possessing the pedigree.
Anderson should win and to boost the price, back him in a double to hit the most 180s, too. He is averaging one every 2.4 legs compared to Hood’s one every 2.6, a gulf that should be widened by the longer game.
Gary Anderson is rolling back the years at the Ally PallyCredit: Getty Images
Luke Littler v Krzyzstof Ratajski
Pole Krzysztof Ratajski is being underrated against the world champion and can take a couple of sets off the teenage phenomenon.
Ratajski has averaged almost a ton seeing off Wesley Plaisier and Luke Woodhouse and is utterly unflappable.
The Nuke won’t need to be as fired up as he was seeing off Rob Cross in round four because the crowd will be on his side this time.
Ratajski can be backed with a 3.5-set start, meaning the bet pays out if the match goes to at least seven sets.
And in that case, Littler should soar past a mark of 11.5 180s. He had 17 against Cross in only six sets.
Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
Gian van Veen says he knows he can beat ex-champ, world number two and second seed Luke Humphries – because he has. Four times since March, three of those in majors.
Both men have been magnificent with tournament averages a shade over 100.
This looks too close to call which pretty much dictates that Van Veen is the value.
Want more top sports betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
Paddy Power World Darts Championship 2026 FAQs
When is the 2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship?
The 2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship will take place from Thursday December 11, 2025, to Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Where is the 2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship being held?
The event will be held at Alexandra Palace in London.
Who is the favourite to win the 2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship?
2025 champion Luke Littler is the 8-13 favourite to retain his title.
Read more from our experts:
Darts odds boost: get Luke Littler to win the World Championship at 50-1 with NetBet
WATCH NOW: 2026 World Darts Championship Preview | Darts Tips and Predictions | Best Bets | Steve Palmer
Paddy Power World Darts Championship predictions: Can anyone stop Luke Littler?
All you need to know about the Paddy Power World Darts Championship
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