Littler made history in January by becoming the youngest player to lift the famous trophy, and since then, has cemented his place as number one in the world after dominating his competition across 2025.
The 18-year-old has claimed an impressive six major ranking titles this year, most recently dispatching Nathan Aspinall 11-8 at the Player’s Championship Final in November.
Unstoppable on his day with breathtaking scoring and clinical finishing on double 10, it’s hard to pinpoint who could pull off an upset and prevent the teenager from winning successive Sid Waddell Trophies, but Luke Humphries has a strong case.
The World number two has won 10 of his 26 meetings with Littler, including triumphs in the 2024 Players Championship’s final and the 2025 Premier League.
But whilst Humphries is Littler’s biggest threat based on the odds and ranking, several underdogs are chomping at the bit to pull off a stunning run to the final and lift the trophy on January 3rd.
Danny Noppert
Danny Noppert arrives at the showpiece occasion as an underdog, as he always seems to crumble on the World Championship stage.
In his last seven attempts, the Dutchman has failed to make it past the last 32 and crashed out of the 2025 tournament with a 3-1 defeat to Ryan Joyce in the last 64.
For someone who is ranked sixth in the world heading into Alexandra Palace, Noppert will be fuelled to finally go deep into this tournament, and there is cautious optimism that he can.
The Dutchman was exceptional at the Grand Slam of Darts, averaging 107 in defeat to Johnny Clayton in Group H, before ruthlessly dispatching Michael van Gerwen in the round of 16 with a respectable 98.34 average.
Of course, the 34-year-old was eventually beaten by the juggernaut Littler 16-9 in the semi-final, but even with that disappointment, Noppert is statistically performing at the top of his game.
A 39.52% average checkout percentage since July 1st proves he’s granite on the doubles, while only Littler (399), Wessel Nijman (310), and Stephen Bunting (293) have hit more than Noppert’s total of 292 180’s.
Combining incredible scoring power with ruthless finishing on the doubles has become Noppert’s bread and butter. Now he must translate those two ingredients onto the world stage, starting with an all-Dutch clash against Jurjen van de Velde on December 16th.
James Wade
James Wade is one of the greatest players to never win a World Championship, or even make it to the final of the PDC’s showpiece, and there is optimism that he can finally break his duck in 2026.
Wade knows how to win the big tournaments and has clinched 10 televised titles since moving to the PDC in 2004, with the 42-year-old eyeing an 11th triumph.
Known for being one of the best double-hitters in the history of the sport, particularly on the double 10 target, the machine has recently shown that he’s more than nerveless and clinical at the end of legs.
The Englishman has arguably started scoring more heavily in 2025 than at any point during his career, as his first nine average of 102.59 since June 1st is higher than well-regarded 180 hitters Michael Smith and Dave Chisnall.
Meanwhile, his total of 175 180’s in the same period is better than Van Gerwen, someone known for his power scoring.
An in-form Wade is difficult to stop, and if he can continue surging ahead in legs with his scoring, ruthless finishing could carry him to the glory he’s been craving in this tournament.
Beau Greaves
The World Darts Championship is known for throwing up shocks. Rob Cross, of course, won the 2018 final against Phil Taylor after turning professional less than a year beforehand, while Littler’s stunning run to the final on debut at the age of 16 sparked a new generation of interest.
When she takes to the stage to face Daryl Gurney on December 19, Beau Greaves will aim to follow in their footsteps after her exceptional year was rewarded with a two-year tour card.
Indeed, Greaves enters the tournament in fine form with the seventh most 180’s since September 1 (192) - only bettered by Littler, Wessel Nijman, Humphries, Noppert, Aspinall and Charlie Manby. Meanwhile, her first nine average of 101.22 is higher than the likes of Wade, Smith and Martin Schindler.
It isn’t just relentless treble hitting where the 21-year-old excels, as her checkout percentage of 41.29% since the start of September places her in 21st, even higher than world number four Stephen Bunting and only 0.09% lower than Humphries.
Impressing fans with her power scoring in tournaments, losing by just one leg to Gary Anderson and van Gerwen in the Grand Slam, Greaves has proven she can mix it with the very best.
So, in a tournament where the crowd will roar every one of her darts into the treble and double bed, there’s every chance she can use that support as fuel to cause a few surprises, or perhaps even go all the way.
