A look at some of Littler's potential rivals for World Championship glory

TODAY’S the day darts fans have been waiting for.

The annual festive extravaganza that is the PDC World Darts Championship gets underway at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace this evening, with defending champion Luke Humphries topping the bill with his second-round clash against either Thibault Tricole or Joe Comito.

Of course, our attention locally will be firmly fixed on Warrington’s very own Luke “The Nuke” Littler, who does not get his campaign underway until Saturday night when he meets either Ryan Meikle or Fallon Sherrock in the second round.

After an extraordinary breakthrough year, the 17-year-old is the fourth seed for the tournament and heads to Ally Pally as the bookies’ favourite to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy.

And he may do so having already scooped some silverware given he is nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with the ceremony taking place on Tuesday. He is also on a three-person shortlist for the Young Sports Personality prize.

(Image: NQ)

But who are his main rivals for the title? Here, the PA news agency picks out four other contenders to keep an eye on…

Luke Humphries

It is sometimes difficult to remember that it was actually Humphries who won the 2024 tournament given all the attention has been on beaten finalist Littler.

Humphries and Littler are the two standout players and have already forged an enduring rivalry. But the 29-year-old is the defending champion and has been there and done it.

He is capable of scoring with huge numbers and it will take a brave person to back against him winning a second crown.

Michael van Gerwen

For so long the Dutchman was the face of the sport as he dominated in the wake of Phil Taylor’s exit. But his star has waned this year and his failure to win a major televised title represents his worst performance for some time.

Confidence is not an issue though and Van Gerwen has stated the “cream comes to the top” ahead of the tournament as he chases what would be a fourth world title.

For that to happen, he would have to improve his level but this is Van Gerwen.

Gary Anderson

Many thought Anderson’s days at the top were over, but the two-time world champion has enjoyed a resurgence in 2024, playing some of his best darts for many years.

Whether the motivation and durability to win several matches over a short period of time is there remains to be seen, but 53-year-old Anderson is throwing some of his best darts for a long time and when he is at his best, few can match his scoring power.

Gian van Veen

After Littler bulldozed his way to the final after coming into the 2024 tournament as the World Youth champion, this year’s junior winner Van Veen will not have the luxury of going under the radar.

The 22-year-old is far from a rookie and knows his way around the circuit, having reached the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts.

It will take a big effort to win it, but he is a player no one will want to face.