Preview Thursday evening PDC World Darts Championship: Luke Littler opens title defence in opening night tradition and Michael Smith faces Lisa Ashton
The 2026 PDC World Darts Championship gets underway on Thursday evening at Alexandra Palace, and the opening session promises fireworks as defending champion Luke Littler begins his title defence, while former world No.1 Michael Smith faces four-time women’s world champion Lisa Ashton in a standout first-round clash.
Littler Returns to the Stage Where History Was Made
Twelve months ago, Luke Littler stunned the sporting world by becoming the youngest-ever PDC World Champion. Now 18 and already world No.1, “The Nuke” steps onto the Ally Pally stage to begin the defence of the Sid Waddell Trophy in keeping with the tradition that sees the reigning champion headline the opening night.
Littler will face Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas, a former quarter-finalist known for his gritty stage presence and ability to trouble top seeds. While most expect Littler to progress, Labanauskas’ experience and steady scoring make him a potentially awkward first test.
The teenager enters the tournament in red-hot form after a monumental season that included becoming world No.1, lifting multiple TV titles, and setting records across the tour. All eyes will be on how he handles the weight of expectation as darts’ biggest star.
Michael Smith vs Lisa Ashton: Opening Night Blockbuster
One of the most intriguing ties of the evening sees 2023 world champion Michael Smith take on women’s darts icon Lisa Ashton in a high-profile first-round encounter.
Smith, seeded and expected to mount another deep run, will know he must start sharply against Ashton — a player renowned for her fearless scoring and seasoned World Championship experience across both the PDC and WDF.
For Ashton, this is another opportunity to showcase the strength of the women’s game on the sport’s biggest stage. Her ability to settle quickly will be key, and if her scoring clicks, Smith could face serious early pressure.
Electric Atmosphere Expected at Ally Pally
The Alexandra Palace crowd is set to return in full force, bringing the noise, costumes and Christmas chaos that make the World Championship the most atmospheric event in darts. With Littler now one of the biggest names in global sport, the reception for the defending champion is expected to be thunderous.
Opening night often sets the tone for the entire tournament — and with two of the sport’s biggest names in action, Thursday promises to deliver drama from the very first dart.
Thursday Evening Order of Play
Luke Littler vs Darius Labanauskas
Michael Smith vs Lisa Ashton
(Plus additional first-round matches earlier in the session)
