The legendary Alexandra Palace stage (affectionately known as Ally Pally) is experiencing rare moments of quiet during the Christmas holiday, before the electric atmosphere returns on December 27. The Paddy Power World Darts Championship, the sport’s most prestigious event of the year, is entering its most critical phase, featuring the planet’s top players.
Tournament structure and the road to the title
Kicking off on December 15, the tournament spans the festive season and will conclude with a dramatic final on January 3, 2026. After nine days of continuous action featuring breathtaking scoring races in the first and second rounds, the tournament is currently observing its traditional break (from December 24 to 26).
When action resumes on Friday (December 27), the intensity will hit a fever pitch with matches in the third and fourth rounds. Notably, the format becomes increasingly grueling as the tournament progresses:
Round 1 & 2: Best of 5 sets (first to win 3 sets).
Round 3 & 4: Best of 7 sets (first to win 4).
Quarter-finals: Best of 9 sets (first to win 5).
Semi-finals: Best of 11 sets (first to win 6).
Final: Best of 13 sets (first to win 7).
Record prize money and the sid waddell trophy
Beyond its professional prestige, this year’s tournament continues to maintain a massive prize fund totaling £2.5 million. The champion crowned on January 3 will not only hoist the illustrious Sid Waddell Trophy but also pocket £500,000. Even players bowing out in the first round receive £7,500, while the runner-up will take home £200,000.
Key post-Christmas schedule
As soon as the holiday break concludes, fans will be treated to a visual feast with a packed schedule:
Dec 27 – Dec 30: Round 3 and Round 4 matches taking place across double sessions (afternoon and evening).
Jan 1, 2026: New Year’s Day will explode with the Quarter-finals.
Jan 2, 2026: Semi-finals.
Jan 3, 2026: The Final (starting at 20:00 local time).
Broadcasting and atmosphere
In the UK, the entire tournament is broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports Darts. For international audiences, the event attracts millions of viewers thanks to the unique festival atmosphere at Ally Pally, where spectators do more than just watch the sport, they create a spectacle with elaborate fancy dress and colorful chanting.
This year’s race is considered highly unpredictable, with rising young talents challenging established veterans. When the first dart is thrown after the Christmas break, the real battle for the crown begins.