Luke Littler is gearing up to defend his title at the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship against Darius Labanauskas at Alexandra Palace. The draw for the tournament was conducted on Monday, setting the stage for the 18-year-old’s debut defense.
Littler secured the 2025 world championship by defeating Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally earlier this year. Since then, he has claimed victories at prestigious events like the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship, solidifying his status as a top player in the sport.
Having recently climbed to the world No.1 spot, Littler is in top form as he prepares to face Labanauskas in the opening round. Other notable matchups in the tournament include Luke Humphries against Ted Evetts, Michael van Gerwen against Mitsohiko Tatsunami, and Beau Greaves against Daryl Gurney.
The full list of first-round matchups for the 2026 PDC World Championship has been revealed, with players like Mario Vandenbogaerde, Joe Cullen, and Mensur Suljovic set to compete in the highly anticipated event. Fans can expect an exciting tournament with top players vying for the prestigious title.