RegisterLog in
Darts
  • Home
  • Darts

2026 PDC World Darts Championship Preview - Odds, Betting Tips and Special Bets

jon-vine
Jon Vine
Editor
Last updated: Wed 03 Dec 2025 15:02
The 2026 PDC World Darts Championships kicks off at Alexandra Palace on December 12th, with Luke Littler leading the charge as the favorite following his recent triumphs. Littler's dominance this season makes him a formidable contender. Despite the odds, promising players like Josh Rock and Gian van Veen offer value bets, given their recent impressive performances. Rock's rise in the rankings and Van Veen's notable Pro Tour victory position them as potential finalists. Bettors are encouraged to consider these players for special markets.
Share
Jon Vine 03 Dec 2025
Share this article
Or copy link
Copy
  • Luke Littler is the favorite with 10/11 odds, following a dominant year
  • Josh Rock and Gian van Veen are promising contenders with recent strong performances
  • Consider special market bets for potential profit, like Littler/Rock and Littler/Van Veen combinations
luke littler world championships
England's Luke Littler poses with the Sid Waddell Trophy after victory over Netherlands' Michael van Gerwen in the PDC World Darts Championship Final. (Getty)
Free guide to the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, including the latest odds and betting selections.

The Alexandra Palace will open its gates to the public on Friday, December 12th, as the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships gets underway. Luke Littler rose to the summit of the darting world when winning this tournament 12 months ago, and he'll headline the opening evening of action.

Here's our preview of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships and our free darts tips.

2026 PDC World Darts Championship Odds


Name
Odds
Luke Littler10/11
Luke Humphries5/1
Gian van Veen12/1
Josh Rock14/1
Gerwyn Price16/1
Michael van Gerwen20/1
Bar33/1

Tournament Winner


Not since the great Phil Taylor has a player been odds-on to win the World Championships before the tournament. However, Luke Littler has enjoyed Taylor-esque dominance since lifting the Sid Waddell trophy in January, and most bookmakers list the 18-year-old as the 10/11 favourite.

"The Nuke" has won five majors since his maiden World Championship triumph, including recent victories in the Grand Slam and the Grand Prix. Littler defeated Chris Dobey, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall en route to a first Players' Championships win last month. At the moment, Luke Littler seems unbeatable.

Littler's price does mean that plenty of top players are available at fairly big prices. The in-form JOSH ROCK (14/1), for example, is on the opposite side of the draw to the World Number 1, and can be backed at a double-figure price.

A stunning victory in the 2025 World Cup alongside Daryl Gurney has been the catalyst behind Rock's recent surge up the world rankings. The 24-year-old remains without a Major victory, but has reached the latter stages of the UK Open, the Matchplay and the World Series Finals in recent months.

"Rocky" was narrowly beaten by eventual winner, Luke Littler in the quarters of the Grand Slam, and was touched off by future finalist, Nathan Aspinall at the same stage of the Players' Championship Finals. Rock is very much a confidence player, and a series of early victories could see this explosive player enjoy an exciting run to the final of this year's World Championships. 

josh rock darts
Josh Rock in action at the World Matchplay. (Getty)

Winner Of Quarter 2


Stephen Bunting is the top seed in Quarter 2, but he hasn't been particularly consistent of late. RYAN SEARLE (10/1) looks to be much better value, having played well in recent floor tournaments.

"Heavy Metal" won his second Players Championship event of the season in PC28 at the end of September, and reached the semi-finals of PC30 a few days later, losing out to eventual winner Wessel Nijman. Searle has bumped into some top-class players in the early rounds of the Majors, but did enjoy a run to the fifth round of the UK Open, where he was whitewashed 10-0 by a rampant Luke Humphries.

The 20th seed has gone out at the third round of the last three World Championships, but made it one round further on three of his first four Ally Pally appearances. Searle is an extremely heavy scorer and can finish at a high percentage too. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he came out on top in Quarter 2.

Winner Of Quarter 3


Luke Humphries is odds-on to win his quarter and, given his record at the Ally Pally and list of Major wins over the past three seasons, it's hard to argue with those odds. That being said, GIAN VAN VEEN (10/3) has been in mighty form leading into the World Championships, and recent results will fill him with confidence ahead of a potential Quarter Final showdown with the former World Champion.

The reigning two-time World Youth Champion made his breakthrough on the Pro Tour by winning October's European Championships event in Dortmund. "The Giant" took down Michael van Gerwen to book his place against Luke Humphries in the final, and won a thrilling last-leg decider to etch his name onto the trophy.

Van Veen has now won his last four matches against Luke Humphries, including in the World Matchplay and in the opening round of the Players' Championship Finals. The World Number 10 will fancy a deep run at this year's World Championships. Luke Humphries will have to watch his step.

gian van veen
Gian Van Veen celebrates victory against Luke Humphries in his first round match on day one of the Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals. (Getty)

Name The Finalists


As I mentioned earlier, I fancy Josh Rock to make it through Quarter 4. Gian van Veen will have to take care of Luke Humphries, but that's perfectly possible given their recent results, and we could see Veen face Josh Rock for a place in the 2026 Final. 

Luke Littler is almost nailed-on to make it to his third successive final. Taking Luke Littler/Josh Rock (11/1) and Luke Littler/Gian van Veen (10/1) in the Name The Finalists special market seems like a sensible plan - as the odds for backing either Rock or van Veen to make the final individually are shorter and offer less value.

Verdict

2026 PDC World Darts Championship Special Bets:

Best Bet1: Gian van Veen Winner Of Quarter 3 @10/3 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Ryan Searle Winner Of Quarter 2 @10/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet3: Luke Littler/Josh Rock Name The Finalists @11/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet4: Luke Littler/van Veen Name The Finalists @10/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Gian van Veen
Winner Of Quarter 3
@10/3 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports
Ryan Searle
Winner Of Quarter 2
@10/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Luke Littler/Josh Rock
Name The Finalists
@11/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Luke Littler/van Veen
Name The Finalists
@10/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports

Related

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

28 March 2026

  • LEC 2026 Spring -
  • Esports

01 April 2026

  • LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2 -
  • Esports

04 April 2026

  • LCS 2026 Spring -
  • Esports
Load More

Today's Acca Tips

  • Soccer tips

  • Tennis tips

 bonus image
Resources
Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Players must be 18 or over and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. Know when to Stop. Gamble responsibly and Think about your choices. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: gamcare.org.uk (UK), 800gambler.org (US), or gamblinghelponline.org.au (Australia). Gambling is addictive 18+. #Ads © 2026 freetips.com