Luke Littler is set to defend his PDC World Darts Championship title against Darius Labanauskas at Alexandra Palace next month, following the draw that took place recently. Littler, who became the 2025 world champion after defeating Michael van Gerwen earlier this year, has been on a winning streak, securing victories at the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship.
Having claimed the top spot in the world rankings last week, Littler is in top form as he prepares to defend his title. The upcoming tournament will feature a revamped format with 128 players, and Littler will face off against Lithuanian No.1 Labanauskas in the first round.
Other notable first-round matchups include Luke Humphries against Ted Evetts, Michael van Gerwen against Mitsohiko Tatsunami, and Beau Greaves against Daryl Gurney. The complete list of first-round fixtures for the 2026 PDC World Championship has been announced, offering an exciting lineup of matchups for darts fans.