In January 2024 a 16-year-old lad from Warrington took the UK by storm, hitting the front page of all major daily newspapers.
Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler was on track to become the youngest-ever PDC World Darts Champion, and only seven legs (potentially) stood between him and the win of a lifetime.
4.8m people tuned in from their homes across the country, ensuring that the final against Luke Humphries was Sky’s most-watched darts event ever.
Sadly, for Littler, the dream was not to be as Humphries came from behind to take the win seven legs to four. But what a game it was.
For most people, watching the darts is not a regular pastime. But with Littler now on the scene and still on track to win plenty of major titles, we already know that we’ll be tuning in again in January 2025.
So with that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at the ante-post odds and check out who the front runners are and if there is any value in the betting.
Of course, these will change as the event draws nearer, so if you want more options, check out the list of new betting sites for a more comprehensive range of odds available.
Can Luke Littler do the business in 2025? Or will there be another dark horse in the mix?
The PDC World Championships will run from Sunday, 15 Dec 2024 – Friday, 3 Jan 2025.
The PDC World Darts Championship Odds 2025
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Luke Littler | 2/1 |
| Luke Humphries | 100/30 |
| Michael van Gerwen | 9/1 |
| Gary Anderson | 11/1 |
| Mike de Decker | 25/1 |
| Michael Smith | 28/1 |
| Rob Cross | 28/1 |
| Gerwyn Price | 33/1 |
| Chris Dobey | 33/1 |
| Stephen Bunting | 33/1 |
| Gian van Veen | 33/1 |
| Wessel Nijman | 33/1 |
| Nathan Aspinall | 66/1 |
| Ross Smith | 66/1 |
I should point out that this list is not exhaustive. There will be 96 players taking part as the qualifying rounds kick off on 15th December 2024.
That said, while most are unlikely to seriously contend, there will always be one or two who defy their chances.
PDC World Darts Championship Tips For 2025
To have any real idea, we can look at the rankings in which Luke Humphries is the current world’s number one player.
Despite his triumphant victory at Alexandra Palace on January 3rd, Humphries has since been beaten Littler.
That defeat came in the quarter-finals of the Premier League in Cardiff, with Littler beating Humphries 6-2.
Humphries went home, and Littler marched on only to be undone by Michael Smith, who beat him 6-5 in the semi-finals.
Littler also became the youngest player to throw a televised nine-dart finish and won the Bahrain Masters, his first senior title.
Based on the recent tournament results and performances, Luke Humphries has had another outstanding year, winning the World Matchplay in July and reaching several other finals.
His consistent high-level performances make him a strong contender.
Luke Littler, the teenage sensation, has been impressive throughout the year, winning the Premier League in May and the World Series of Darts Finals in September.
His rapid rise and fearless approach make him a serious threat.
Michael van Gerwen is always a formidable opponent, and reached the World Matchplay final showing flashes of his best form.
His experience and ability to perform on the biggest stage cannot be underestimated.
Given recent form and historical performance, Luke Humphries appears to be the most likely winner.
However, the unpredictable nature of darts means surprises are always possible, especially with talents like Luke Littler in the mix.
How Important Is The PCD World Championship?
The PDC World Championship is one of the most prestigious tournaments in professional darts.
Organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), it was first held in 1994 after a group of players broke away from the British Darts Organisation (BDO).
The tournament usually takes place annually between December and January, culminating in the final held on or around New Year’s Day.
Known for its high-quality competition, it attracts the best dart players from around the world and has grown significantly in popularity and prize money since its inception.
The winner is crowned the World Champion and receives the Sid Waddell Trophy, named in honour of the legendary darts commentator Sid Waddell, who ed away in 2012.
The event is held at Alexandra Palace in London, which has been its home since 2008.
The Prize Money
Of course, we all want to know how much the winner takes home, and for this particular tournament, it’s pretty straightforward.
- The Winner – £500,000
- The Runner-Up – £200,000
- Total Prize Money – £2,500,000
To put the prize money into perspective, for winning the Bahrain Masters, Luke Littler only earned £20,000.
That is one-tenth of his prize money for finishing second in the PDC World Championship final.
So not only is the competition fierce, but so are the potential earnings.
Who Is The Greatest Darts Player Of All Time?
While a great number of superb darts players have come and gone over the years, one stands head and shoulders above the others.
Phil Taylor was one of the most successful darts players in history and holds the record for the most PDC World Championships, having won the title 14 times.
Not only that, but he also holds records for being in the most finals (19), the most match wins (110), and the longest unbeaten run of 44 matches.
Taylor reached every final from 1994 until 2007 and played a significant role in the growth of darts as a global sport.
The former professional darts player dominated darts for over two decades and won 214 professional tournaments, including a record 85 major titles.
Not only is he one of the greatest darts players of all time, but solidly one of the greatest British sportsmen of all time.
Now retired, Taylor will continue to be a World Senior Darts Tour global ambassador.