- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●10th Worlds · since 2018 · best: Champion
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 96.6 · 27–19 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 1.7 %
World champion in 2018 at his very first Worlds, plus Matchplay and two-time European champion. In 2026 he missed the Premier League for the first time since 2023 but won Players Championship 22 and averaged a strong 96.6. His 2026 Worlds ended in the last 16 against Littler.
Strengths World champion 2018 · Multiple major winner
Weaknesses No longer the consistency of his peak years
🎵 Walk-on: I Don’t Wanna Wait – David Guetta & OneRepublic
💬 Fun factA trained electrician – hence the nickname “Voltage”. He won the World Championship at his very first attempt in 2018, beating Phil Taylor in the final, who retired straight afterwards.
In 2016 he was still an electrician and didn't fancy the long drive to a qualifier in Norwich. His uncle got him out of bed – Cross won, and less than two years later he was world champion.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●11th Worlds · since 2017 · best: Semi-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 95.82 · 26–30 record · 3 titles
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 1.6 %
“Hollywood” won the 2023 Masters and reached the 2025 Worlds semi-finals – he was even world number six in 2025. His 2026 Worlds ended in round two against Andrew Gilding. On tour in 2026 he won two titles (PC 3, PC 9 – his tenth Players Championship win), but suffered many early defeats on TV (26 wins from 56 matches).
Strengths Masters winner 2023 · Can hit high averages
Weaknesses Out in round 1 at many majors in 2026
🎵 Walk-on: Hey Jude – The Beatles
💬 Fun factHe got the nickname “Hollywood” because he liked to wear extravagant outfits early in his career. Like Callan Rydz, he is a Newcastle United fan.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●4th Worlds · since 2024 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 96.56 · 40–31 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 1.1 %
One of the risers of 2026: first ranking title (Players Championship 13), first European Tour final, Matchplay debut and a 96.6 season average – top-16 numbers. He reached the last 16 at each of the last two Worlds.
Strengths 2026 World Championship last-16 · Good development in recent years
Weaknesses Little experience in late rounds
🎵 Walk-on: You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi
💬 Fun factThe Dutchman from Almere lives with his family in Sweden.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2020 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 95.7 · 35–24 record · 2 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.7 %
2026 was the year of his career: in May he won his first ranking title at Players Championship 18 – and just twelve days later a second at the Baltic Sea Darts Open. Add two more finals (PC 13, PC 24) and a 95.7 average. He reached the last 16 at each of the last two Worlds and the European Championship semi-finals in 2024.
Strengths Solid all-round game · 2026 World Championship last-16
Weaknesses Little experience in late major rounds
🎵 Walk-on: C’est la vie – Stereophonics
💬 Fun fact6 career nine-darters – that is 54 perfect darts without a single miss.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2020 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 94.1 · 29–25 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.55 %
Australia's best was world number six in 2024 and is a 2022 World Cup winner. In 2026 he reached round three at the Worlds (4–0 to Cross), three European Tour semi-finals and the Players Championship 25 final – where Henry Coates, who did not yet have a Tour Card, beat him. Solid, but without the really big breakthrough.
Strengths Powerful scoring · Experienced
Weaknesses Fluctuating doubles
🎤 Crowd & stage: The Aussie loves interacting with fans and is one of the most cheerful players on tour. · Walk-on: Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen
💬 Fun factAt events in Germany and the Netherlands he walks on to “Links Rechts” by Snollebollekes – and the whole hall jumps left and right with him. The Aussie is a cult hero there.
“The Heat” is an anagram of his surname. Through his father he has Māori roots – and when he first came to England he shared a house in Leicester with Dimitri Van den Bergh.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●9th Worlds · since 2019 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 94.45 · 29–29 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.52 %
Former UK Open champion (2022) who climbed to world number six in 2025. In 2026 he reached the German Darts Grand Prix final and several Players Championship semi-finals. His Worlds record is the weak spot: he has never gone beyond round three in eight attempts – in 2026 he lost an “Ally Pally classic” to debutant Justin Hood in a sudden-death leg.
Strengths Calm and solid · UK Open winner 2022
Weaknesses Never past the 3rd round at the World Championship
🎵 Walk-on: High Hopes – Panic! at the Disco
💬 Fun fact“The Freeze” is a pun: it stands for his calmness on stage and for his home province of Friesland. His walk-on “High Hopes” is a tribute to his late mother, who died in 2017 – the line “Mama said don't give up” means a lot to him.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●10th Worlds · since 2018 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 94.09 · 33–24 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.49 %
Poland's flagship player with twelve PDC ranking titles. 2026 was a strong comeback year: Worlds quarter-finals, victory at the European Darts Open and a quarter-final win over world champion Luke Littler at the European Championship. Experienced, composed – and in form.
Strengths Very precise doubles · 2026 World Championship quarter-finalist
Weaknesses Scoring not quite top level
🎵 Walk-on: Whatever You Want – Status Quo
💬 Fun factPerhaps the best comeback story of the year: in 2025 he had to undergo brain surgery twice – in 2026 he was winning titles again and beat Littler.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●6th Worlds · since 2021 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.71 · 34–23 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.24 %
“Triple Z” won his first ranking title at the 2026 Dutch Darts Championship, beat Luke Littler at the Belgian Darts Open and reached the World Grand Prix quarter-finals. Round three at the 2026 Worlds was his best result there.
Strengths Solid scoring
Weaknesses Never past the 3rd round at the World Championship
🎵 Walk-on: The Nights – Avicii
💬 Fun fact“Triple Z” is short for “Zig Zag Zonneveld” – commentators' name for him because of the way his elbow moves when he throws. He also grew up on the same street in Uitgeest as Wessel Nijman.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2023 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 95.08 · 10–10 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0.24 %
The dominant player in women's darts (three-time WDF world champion) made history in 2026: at Players Championship 11 she became the first woman ever to win a PDC ranking title – beating former world champion Michael Smith 8–7 in the final. Add the first win by a woman on the European Tour and a third Women's Matchplay title. With a 95.1 average she is dangerous for any man in the field.
Strengths Best female player in the world · Strong Pro Tour season
🎵 Walk-on: Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve
💬 Fun factWon three WDF world titles in a row (2022–2024) – and has since been taking on the men at the PDC Worlds. She was running out of women to beat.
Her nickname “Beau 'n' Arrow” came from a friend of her father's at their local pub in Doncaster. She is the youngest of six siblings.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●13th Worlds · since 2015 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.38 · 27–26 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.19 %
On tour since 2015 and enjoying the best year of his career in 2026: four ranking finals, his first European Tour final and a quarter-final win over Luke Littler en route to the Players Championship 27 title. At the Worlds, though, the fast thrower is still waiting for his big run (best: round three).
Strengths Experienced (12 World Championships) · Solid scoring
Weaknesses Never past the 3rd round at the World Championship
🎵 Walk-on: Bella Ciao – Gunz for Hire
💬 Fun fact“The Machine Gun” – because he fires his three darts in such quick succession you can barely count them.
Wattimena has Indonesian roots – his family comes from the Moluccan island of Ambon.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●6th Worlds · since 2017 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.61 · 12–12 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.16 %
A Dutch-born player who represents Sweden: in 2025 he became the first Swede to win a PDC ranking title, and in 2026 he added Players Championship 19 with a final win over Jonny Clayton. He reached the last 16 at the 2025 Worlds, but in 2026 he lost in round one to 72-year-old Paul Lim.
🎵 Walk-on: Hooked on a Feeling – Blue Swede
💬 Fun factHe moved from Den Helder to Sweden in 2018 for love – and has held Swedish citizenship since 2023.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2015 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 94.13 · 15–17 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0.12 %
A textbook comeback: the Spaniard from Tenerife returned to the tour via Q-School in 2026 after five years away – and now tops the Pro Tour Order of Merit. Add the Players Championship 23 final and a 94.1 average. At the 2026 Worlds he lost in round one to eventual finalist van Veen; in 2015 he reached the last 16.
🎵 Walk-on: Hall of Fame – The Script ft. Will.i.am
💬 Fun fact5 career nine-darters – that is 45 perfect darts without a single miss.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●10th Worlds · since 2018 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.78 · 20–22 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.09 %
Ireland's most experienced pro with nine straight Worlds appearances. Highlights: the 2022 UK Open semi-final and the 2019 World Cup final. In 2026 he reached the Players Championship 20 final. At the Worlds he has so far gone no further than round three.
Strengths Experienced, combative
Weaknesses Rarely in late major rounds
🎵 Walk-on: Zombie – Dolores O’Riordan
💬 Fun fact3 career nine-darters – that is 27 perfect darts without a single miss.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2020 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.97 · 4–8 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.09 %
“The Riot” from Newcastle is a genuine Worlds specialist: two quarter-finals (2022, 2025). In 2025 he set the record for the highest first-round average with 107 against Romeo Grbavac, then lost his quarter-final to van Gerwen despite a higher average and more legs won. His 2026 tour form was modest (4 wins from 12 matches).
Strengths Can surprise at the Worlds (quarter-final 2021)
Weaknesses Rarely goes far at other majors
🎵 Walk-on: Hypersonic Missiles – Sam Fender
💬 Fun factRydz is a passionate Newcastle United fan – his nickname translates as “The Riot”.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●9th Worlds · since 2019 · best: Semi-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.44 · 8–7 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.09 %
The “German Giant” became the first German to reach a Worlds semi-final in 2023. At the 2026 Worlds he came back from 0–3 to 2–3 against Humphries and became the first German to average over 100 in a Worlds match. In July 2026, at his eighth final, he finally won his first ranking title (PC 24) – fittingly with a 170 checkout. Qualified only via the Pro Tour rankings this time, but always dangerous at the Worlds.
Strengths 2023 World Championship semi-finalist · Experienced
🎤 Crowd & stage: Hugely popular with German fans and a known name at the Ally Pally since his 2023 semi-final. Calm and controlled on stage. · Walk-on: Wonderwall – Oasis
💬 Fun factMade history in 2023 as the first German to reach a World Championship semi-final – knocking out defending champion Gerwyn Price on the way, who resorted to ear defenders mid-match.
He co-hosts the podcast “Darts auf die 1” with Robert Marijanović and Marcel Althaus. His wife Lisa is also his manager.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●14th Worlds · since 2013 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.84 · 9–17 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.06 %
Two-time major winner (2017 World Grand Prix, 2018 Players Championship Finals) and world number three in 2019. 2026 was tough: he missed the World Matchplay for the first time since 2015. At the Worlds, though, he is a veteran with 13 appearances and two quarter-finals.
Strengths Major winner (World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals) · Experienced
Weaknesses No longer the form of earlier years
🎤 Crowd & stage: An entertainer who seeks contact with the crowd – he is clearly at home at the Ally Pally. · Walk-on: Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
💬 Fun fact“Superchin” owes his nickname to his prominent chin. During his walk-on the crowd belts out “Sweet Caroline” – and Gurney happily conducts.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2025 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.22 · 19–23 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0.06 %
The “Meenzer Bub” (lad from Mainz) shot into the top 40: in 2025 he won his first European Tour title at the Hungarian Darts Trophy. In 2026 he beat Stephen Bunting and Ross Smith on his way to the European Darts Trophy quarter-finals and made his Matchplay debut (against Littler). He is still waiting for his first Worlds win – in 2026 he lost 3–1 to Joe Comito in an upset.
Strengths Young German talent · Next Gen winner 2024
Weaknesses No World Championship win yet
🎵 Walk-on: Legendary – Welshly Arms
💬 Fun factUntil August 2025 Springer worked as a civil servant in Wiesbaden – then he quit to go pro. He is a big Mainz 05 fan.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●16th Worlds · since 2012 · best: Champion
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.31 · 11–10 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.06 %
World champion in 2023 after two lost finals (2019, 2022), plus 2022 Grand Slam winner and 2024 World Cup champion. In the 2023 final against van Gerwen he hit a nine-darter in what is probably the most famous leg in Worlds history. “Bully Boy” has since slipped to 37th and averaged only 91.3 in 2026 – the class is there, the consistency is not.
Strengths World champion 2023 · Strong scorer
Weaknesses Clear decline since his world title
🎵 Walk-on: Shut Up + Dance – Walk the Moon
💬 Fun factIn the 2023 World Championship final he hit a nine-darter – in the very leg in which Michael van Gerwen had just missed double 12 for a nine-darter of his own. Widely called one of the greatest legs ever played.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2023 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.21 · 13–14 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0.06 %
Poland's next big talent (born 2003) and second on the Pro Tour Order of Merit. In 2026 he won Players Championship 26 and set two Development Tour records: four titles in a row and 38 consecutive wins. He is still waiting for his first Worlds win – in 2026 he lost to Bunting only in the deciding set after coming back from 0–2.
🎵 Walk-on: Fight to Survive – Stan Bush
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2015 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.61 · 26–24 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.05 %
2023 UK Open champion and, at almost 56, one of the oldest in the field. In 2026 he won his first Pro Tour title at the 442nd attempt and reached two more finals. He has reached round three at each of the last two Worlds.
Strengths UK Open winner 2023 · Experienced
Weaknesses At 56 rather on the way down
🎤 Crowd & stage: Has a genuine cult following and enjoys every moment on stage. · Walk-on: Gold – Spandau Ballet
💬 Fun fact“Goldfinger” walks on to Spandau Ballet's “Gold” – and won his first major TV title, the 2023 UK Open, at the age of 52. Apparently it's never too late for gold.
The nickname “Goldfinger” isn't from James Bond but from a set of gold Phil Taylor darts he bought around 20 years ago. Before turning pro he worked in an abattoir, among other jobs.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●6th Worlds · since 2019 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.2 · 16–19 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.05 %
Czech veteran “Evil Charlie” is 47 and had his best season in 2026: a first ranking title at Players Championship 30 and three more semi-finals. After the 2025 Worlds he briefly lost his Tour Card but won it back at Q-School. Round two (2023) is his best Worlds result so far.
Strengths Czech darts' figurehead
Weaknesses Never past the 2nd round at the World Championship
🎵 Walk-on: Future World – Helloween
💬 Fun fact“Evil Charlie” – Karel is the Czech form of Charles. Just how evil Charlie gets usually depends on the doubles.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●5th Worlds · since 2022 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.2 · 6–8 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.05 %
A crowd favourite: the Scot from Arbroath reached the last 16 at the 2022 and 2023 Worlds and the Grand Slam quarter-finals in 2022. In 2026 he reached the Players Championship 7 final. At 48 he is streetwise and strong under pressure.
🎵 Walk-on: Freed from Desire – Gala
💬 Fun factSoutar has one of the most unusual biographies in the field: nine years as a commando in the British Army, then a firefighter – and at home he trains guide dogs with his partner. In 2026 he ran the London Marathon for Guide Dogs UK.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●4th Worlds · since 2024 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.24 · 7–7 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.05 %
The Englishman from Carshalton has reached round two at all three of his Worlds so far. His best TV result: the quarter-finals of the 2024 Players Championship Finals, which he lost only in a deciding leg to Dirk van Duijvenbode. A decent 2026 with a 92.2 average and a semi-final at PC 9.
🎵 Walk-on: Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2025 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.28 · 7–9 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.05 %
A late bloomer from Banbury: for years on the BDO/WDF circuit (2022 world quarter-final), he only got his PDC Tour Card in 2024 at almost 40. At the 2026 Worlds he knocked out Stephen Bunting and reached the last 16 – his greatest success.
🎵 Walk-on: Hillbilly Rock Hillbilly Roll – The Woolpackers
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●16th Worlds · since 2012 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.77 · 14–16 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.04 %
“The Hurricane” is one of the most experienced players at his 16th Worlds. His biggest successes are a while back (2012 Players Championship Finals final, 2013 World Cup final), but he had a strong 2026 Pro Tour season and is third on the Pro Tour Order of Merit. The 2012 quarter-final is still his best Worlds result.
🎵 Walk-on: Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions
💬 Fun factHis nickname “The Hurricane” refers to his loud celebrations. At the 2014 Worlds he had to face his own brother Ronny in round one – Kim won 3–1.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●17th Worlds · since 2011 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.91 · 14–23 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.03 %
“The Rockstar” is one of the most experienced players in the field at his 17th Worlds. 2022 Premier League finalist and 2023 Matchplay and World Grand Prix semi-finalist. In 2026 he reached the Players Championship 8 final but had a mixed season. At the Worlds, the last 16 has been his limit so far.
Strengths Masters winner 2023
Weaknesses Mostly early exits at the 2026 majors
🎵 Walk-on: Don’t Look Back in Anger – Oasis
💬 Fun fact3 career nine-darters – that is 27 perfect darts without a single miss.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●5th Worlds · since 2023 · best: Semi-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.06 · 7–6 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.03 %
The man from Boston (Lincolnshire) was the sensation of the 2024 Worlds, storming into the semi-finals. Since then he has been up and down, but in 2026 he reached a Players Championship 30 final with a 93.1 average. He loves the big stage and playing to the crowd.
🎵 Walk-on: By a Monster's Hand – Volbeat
💬 Fun fact3 career nine-darters – that is 27 perfect darts without a single miss.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●18th Worlds · since 2008 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.38 · 10–7 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.03 %
At 54, “The Gentle” is Austria's elder statesman: 2017 Champions League winner, 2018 Matchplay finalist and three times a World Grand Prix semi-finalist. In 17 Worlds appearances the last 16 has been his limit. In 2026 he reached round three, where Littler won 4–0. His slow, idiosyncratic rhythm throws many opponents off.
🎤 Crowd & stage: The Austrian is known for his emotions at the board – the crowd loves his celebrations and his unique rhythm. · Walk-on: The Best – Tina Turner
💬 Fun factMade history at the 2020 World Championship – albeit involuntarily: he was the second man Fallon Sherrock beat at the Ally Pally (1–3).
His nickname comes from his Viennese pub “The Gentle”. He started playing darts in his brothers' coffee shop after arriving in Vienna from the disintegrating Yugoslavia in 1993.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●7th Worlds · since 2021 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 90.29 · 4–16 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.02 %
Belgium's best caused one of the biggest major shocks of recent years by winning the 2024 World Grand Prix. 2026 was much weaker (4 wins from 20 TV matches) – and his 2026 Worlds started with a shock: a 3–2 first-round defeat to Kenya's David Munyua, one of the biggest upsets in Worlds history. He has never got beyond round two at the Worlds.
Strengths World Grand Prix winner 2024
Weaknesses Never past the 2nd round at the World Championship
🎵 Walk-on: Three Little Birds – Bob Marley and the Wailers
💬 Fun factArrived at the 2024 World Grand Prix as an outsider – and went home with the trophy after beating world champion Luke Humphries in the final.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2020 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.52 · 8–9 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.02 %
Only 24 and already at his eighth Worlds: the Irishman from Drogheda reached the UK Open semi-finals at 19. He has reached round two at the Worlds four times; in 2026 Martin Schindler was too strong there. On tour in 2026 he beat Michael Smith and Stephen Bunting, among others, on his way to the Players Championship 7 semi-finals.
🎵 Walk-on: T.N.T. – AC/DC
💬 Fun factHe is called “Dynamite” because of his lightning-fast throwing rhythm. Before turning pro he worked in his father's scaffolding business – and he is a keen greyhound racing fan.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●4th Worlds · since 2024 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.06 · 5–8 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.02 %
An experienced Dutchman with a big BDO/WDF past: two world semi-finals there (2016, 2022) and 12 singles titles. In the PDC since 2023, he reached round three on his Worlds debut in 2024 before a 4–0 defeat to van Gerwen. His 2026 was solid rather than spectacular.
🎵 Walk-on: Maria (I Like It Loud) – Scooter
💬 Fun factVeenstra has stayed loyal to his home village: he still lives in Ossenzijl in Friesland, a place with just a few hundred inhabitants.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●10th Worlds · since 2013 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.99 · 4–8 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.02 %
The “Maximiser” was Germany's darts pioneer: 2015 world youth champion and, in 2018, the first German to win titles on the Pro Tour and the European Tour. After four years away he returned to the Worlds in 2026 with a win over Martin Lukeman. In 2026 he reached the Players Championship 14 final – his tenth Worlds, with round three his best result.
🎵 Walk-on: Hey Baby – DJ Ötzi
💬 Fun factWas already on the World Championship stage at 16 (2013) – too young to drive, but not too young for the Ally Pally. In 2015 he became World Youth champion.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●5th Worlds · since 2023 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.39 · 23–20 record · 2 titles
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
The Scot from Glasgow won two ranking titles in 2026 (PC 23, PC 29) and knocked second seed Luke Humphries out of the World Matchplay 10–7 – finishing the match with a 170 checkout. A former WDF Worlds semi-finalist and 2024 Grand Slam quarter-finalist. At the PDC Worlds, though, he has never got beyond round two.
Strengths Emotional and combative · 2026 World Cup semi-final with Scotland
Weaknesses Never past the 2nd round at the World Championship
🎵 Walk-on: The Glen (Levi Heron Edit) – Beluga Lagoon & Levi Heron
💬 Fun factOnly in May 2025 did he quit his job as a plumber to focus fully on darts. He used to play in goal for a Scottish football club.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●16th Worlds · since 2012 · best: Semi-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 89.52 · 14–22 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
One of the best scorers of the last decade, 2021 Worlds semi-finalist and a multiple major finalist – only the big title is missing. 2026 was a weak year with an 89.5 average. At the 2026 Worlds he missed a match dart against Pietreczko.
Strengths Strong scorer · 18 Players Championship titles
Weaknesses Out in round 1 at almost every major in 2026
🎵 Walk-on: Dizzy – Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff
💬 Fun factOn the European Tour, “Chizzy” walks on to the German party anthem “Johnny Däpp”. An Englishman, a Mallorca-style schlager and a thousand singing Germans – somehow it works.
His wife Michaela also plays darts – the two met at a tournament in 2008, the St Anne's Open.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●11th Worlds · since 2011 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.94 · 3–10 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
A veteran at his eleventh Worlds. His career highlight was the 2024 Grand Slam semi-final, reached with a 16–15 deciding-leg win over Cameron Menzies. He has reached round two at the Worlds four times. 2026 was weak, with 3 wins from 13 matches.
🎵 Walk-on: Maniac 2000 – Mark McCabe
💬 Fun factThe Northern Irishman from Dungannon represented the Republic of Ireland at the 2026 World Cup – alongside William O'Connor.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●4th Worlds · since 2021 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.85 · 6–6 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
2020 world youth champion from Blackburn. After losing his Tour Card he won it back at the 2025 Q-School with a record points total and shortly afterwards claimed his first ranking title with a final win over Gerwyn Price. After three attempts he is still waiting for his first Worlds win.
🎵 Walk-on: Booyah – Showtek
💬 Fun factBad luck comes with the territory: on his 2021 Worlds debut he lost in the deciding leg of the fifth set – because William Borland hit a nine-darter right then.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●7th Worlds · since 2020 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 90.74 · 2–7 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
2024 European champion – he swept Jermaine Wattimena aside 11–3 in the final. He could not even defend his title in 2025 because he narrowly missed qualification. At the Worlds round two has been his limit so far; in 2026, as a seed, he lost 3–0 to New Zealand's Jonny Tata.
Strengths European Champion 2024
🎵 Walk-on: Our House – Madness
💬 Fun fact4 career nine-darters – that is 36 perfect darts without a single miss.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.95 · 7–3 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
The reigning WDF world champion (2025) makes his PDC Worlds debut. In the WDF final he trailed Mitchell Lawrie 3–0 and then won six sets in a row. He also won the 2025 WDF World Masters and has held a PDC Tour Card since 2026 (7 wins from 10 TV matches). One of the most dangerous debutants.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: Thank You (Not So Bad) – Dido, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tiësto & W&W
💬 Fun factNicknamed “The Dutch Sequoia” – after the giant redwood trees. A reference to his height, not his age. In 2025 he became WDF world champion.
At 2.07 metres van Schie is the tallest pro on the circuit. As a child he actually played basketball first – before losing interest and taking up darts.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2023 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.64 · 2–7 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
The Welshman from the Ogmore Valley made waves at the 2025 Worlds by reaching the last 16. He had already reached the UK Open semi-finals back in 2018. In 2026, though, it was a struggle, with 2 wins from 9 matches.
🎵 Walk-on: Jumping All Over the World – Scooter
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.46 · 0–4 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
A Worlds debutant from Croydon who qualified via the Pro Tour Order of Merit. He is still an unknown quantity on TV (no wins in four matches in 2026, but a 93.5 average). A classic outsider with plenty to gain on his Ally Pally debut.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: Freed from Desire – Gala
💬 Fun factWorld Championship debutant: first time at the Ally Pally, first walk-on in front of 3,000 fans in fancy dress. Goosebumps guaranteed.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 96.6 · 5–2 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0.01 %
Perhaps the most exciting debut in the field: the 20-year-old from Matlock won Players Championship 25 in July 2026 – with a 104.9 average in the final against Damon Heta and as only the fifth player ever to do so without a Tour Card. In his few TV matches in 2026 he averaged a strong 96.6.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: Centuries – Fall Out Boy
💬 Fun factOn the side Coates helps out in his father's butcher's shop in Darley Dale. His role model: Terry Jenkins.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●9th Worlds · since 2019 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 91.08 · 27–18 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
“Relentless” is a rock-solid pro with two ranking titles and the 2019 Worlds quarter-final as his highlight. In 2026 he reached the Baltic Sea Darts Open final. More controlled than spectacular – an opponent you have to earn every set against.
Strengths Experienced · World Championship quarter-finalist
Weaknesses Rarely beyond the last 16
🎵 Walk-on: Another Night – Real McCoy / Tetris – Doctor Spin
💬 Fun factWalks on to the Tetris theme. Fitting for someone who likes finding the gaps – especially in double 16.
Joyce has a fear of flying – which is why he regularly skips European Tour events.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●4th Worlds · since 2024 · best: Last 16
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 88.04 · 5–7 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0 %
“Pikachu” from Berlin was a Worlds last-16 player in 2025 and a World Cup semi-finalist with Martin Schindler. In 2026 he struggled for a long time with problems in his throwing action, and his averages dropped markedly (88.0). At the World Cup he and Schindler still reached the quarter-finals. First PDC title: the 2023 German Darts Championship.
Strengths Unpredictable and bold ("Pikachu") · World Championship last-16
Weaknesses Inconsistent performances
🎤 Crowd & stage: A fan favourite, especially with German spectators. · Walk-on: Pokémon Theme – Jason Paige
💬 Fun factKnown on tour as “Pikachu”, he fittingly walks on to the Pokémon theme – probably the only walk-on where the kids at home sing louder than the arena.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●18th Worlds · since 2010 · best: Champion
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 84.67 · 2–6 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0 %
Two-time world champion (2020, 2022) and winner of the Matchplay, Masters and UK Open – “Snakebite” is one of the defining figures of the last decade. At 56, though, he has slipped to 36th; in 2026 he won only two of eight TV matches (84.7 average). He is still capable of a good day on the big stage.
Strengths Two-time world champion (2020, 2022) · Huge stage experience
Weaknesses Few major appearances via the rankings in 2026 · Early exits at recent World Championships
🎤 Crowd & stage: One of the most colourful crowd favourites: he dances onto the stage for his walk-on, and his hair and outfit are an eye-catcher every time. · Walk-on: Don’t Stop The Party – Pitbull
💬 Fun factHis wife Joanne does the hair – sometimes in an hour and a half, sometimes in four and a half. “Nine times out of ten I let her do what she wants. She's the boss.”
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2020 · best: Round 3
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 89.4 · 9–9 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
“Latvian Razmatazz” is the face of Latvian darts and reached round three at the Worlds three years in a row (2024–2026). In 2022 he reached the World Grand Prix quarter-finals. His 2026 was patchy (89.5 average), but he clearly feels at home on the Worlds stage.
🎵 Walk-on: Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
💬 Fun factHad to watch his opponent Christian Kist throw a nine-darter at the 2025 World Championship – and still won the match 3–1. Proof that one perfect leg doesn't win you a match.
His shirt features the “Icarus of Priekule”, a monument from his home town.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●19th Worlds · since 2007 · best: Champion
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 87.5 · 0–9 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0 %
Five-time world champion (four BDO titles, PDC 2007) and the legend of the field. At 59 the shine has faded, though: in 2026 he won none of his nine TV matches, and at the 2026 Worlds he lost his opener 3–0 to Switzerland's Stefan Bellmont. Even so: hardly anyone gets as much applause at the Ally Pally.
Strengths World champion experience (five world titles, including the PDC title in 2007)
🎤 Crowd & stage: A legend with his own fan movement, the “Barney Army”. His “Eye of the Tiger” walk-on has given fans goosebumps for decades. · Walk-on: Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
💬 Fun factBefore becoming a five-time world champion he delivered letters as a postman in The Hague. In 2020 he tearfully announced his retirement after a World Championship defeat – and was back on stage a year later.
His nickname “Barney” was originally a nod to Barney Rubble from The Flintstones. His 2007 world final against Phil Taylor, won in a sudden-death leg, is considered one of the best of all time.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2021 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 89.75 · 7–9 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0 %
Few know the agony of Worlds qualification like this Dutchman: he missed out by £1,000 one year and by just £500 the next – and then lost his Tour Card. 2026 brought the reward: two ranking finals (PC 22, PC 31) and a safe Worlds spot via the Pro Tour. He reached round two at the 2022 Worlds.
🎵 Walk-on: N-R-G – G-Spott
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 90.15 · 6–7 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0 %
The Englishman from Dudley makes his Worlds debut at 39. He qualified through a consistent Pro Tour season with four Players Championship semi-finals. He is untested on the big stage – a typical player who could profit from an opponent's nerves in round one.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: Show Me Love – Robin S.
💬 Fun factWorld Championship debutant: first time at the Ally Pally, first walk-on in front of 3,000 fans in fancy dress. Goosebumps guaranteed.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●19th Worlds · since 2009 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 89.66 · 7–7 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
“The History Maker” is one of the longest-serving players in the field at his 19th Worlds. He has reached two Worlds quarter-finals (2019, 2024 – where Littler was too strong). With ten Players Championship titles he is a seasoned match player, and in 2026 he reached the PC 28 final.
🎵 Walk-on: I’m Shipping Up to Boston – Dropkick Murphys
💬 Fun factAt the 2011 World Grand Prix he threw the first televised nine-darter in a double-start format – which is why he is still called “The History Maker”.
When he married his wife Teresa in 2016, the honeymoon had to wait – the World Grand Prix was the following week. Before turning pro Dolan worked as a painter and decorator.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2023 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 88.91 · 2–5 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
A Czech pioneer: in 2022 he became the first Czech to win a match at the PDC Worlds, and in 2023 the first to reach a UK Open semi-final. At 17 he reached the world youth final. He lost his Tour Card in 2025 but won it back in 2026.
🎵 Walk-on: Eyes Closed – Imagine Dragons
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 93.78 · 5–4 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0 %
A Worlds debutant from Castleford who qualified via the Pro Tour Order of Merit. In 2026 he played only a few matches at TV level, but with a decent 93.8 average and a semi-final at the Slovak Open. Hard to judge without Worlds experience – an outsider with potential.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: Yeah 3x – Chris Brown
💬 Fun factWorld Championship debutant: first time at the Ally Pally, first walk-on in front of 3,000 fans in fancy dress. Goosebumps guaranteed.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 97.54 · 5–2 record · 1 titles
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0 %
A Worlds debutant from Poole with a strong end to the season: a final at Players Championship 32 and shortly afterwards his first title at PC 34. In his few TV-relevant matches in 2026 he averaged a very good 97.5 – if he takes that onto the stage, he is an awkward opponent.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen.
💬 Fun factSwears by heavy 26 g darts. Once they land, they stay.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●8th Worlds · since 2019 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 94.4 · 1–5 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0 %
“Lucky D” was BDO world number one in 2015 and 2016 and reached the PDC Worlds quarter-finals in 2020. At 50 he returned via the Challenge Tour. In 2026 he lost 3–0 to Littler in round one, but took two of the sets to a deciding leg.
🎵 Walk-on: Infinity 2008 – Guru Josh
💬 Fun factThe Lithuanian used to be a potter – he credits that time for his calmness and patience at the board. He gives free darts lessons in Garliava.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●7th Worlds · since 2015 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 88.31 · 0–7 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
“The Lipstick” became BDO world champion in 2012 and has played in the PDC since 2014. He made a moment of Worlds history in 2025: a nine-darter in the first set against Madars Razma – he lost the match, but still collected the £60,000 bonus. No TV wins in 2026.
🎵 Walk-on: Heading Up High – Armin van Buuren
💬 Fun factHit a nine-darter against Madars Razma at the 2025 World Championship – and still lost the match 1–3. Darts can be cruel.
Before turning pro Kist was a road worker. He is a big Ajax fan.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2024 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 89.1 · 4–7 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
The 53-year-old Belgian reached the BDO Worlds semi-finals in 2020 and has made two Players Championship finals in the PDC (2025, 2026) – both narrowly lost 8–6. He is still waiting for his first PDC Worlds win; in 2026 he lost 3–0 to David Davies.
🎵 Walk-on: The One and Only – Chesney Hawkes
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●2th Worlds · since 2026 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 88.13 · 1–6 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
The player from Marburg had his breakthrough in 2025: a first ranking final at Players Championship 23 and the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts. His 2026 Worlds debut ended in round one. On the big stage 2026 has been tough so far (1 win from 7 matches).
🎵 Walk-on: Tanzneid – Electric Callboy
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●2th Worlds · since 2025 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.69 · 0–1 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
A Dutchman from Brabant who beat Stephen Burton on his Worlds debut in 2025 before losing to Chris Dobey in round two. At the seventh attempt he finally earned a Tour Card at Q-School in 2026. Little TV experience, but a fighter.
🎵 Walk-on: Happy Together – Bassjackers & Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
💬 Fun factIn real life Merkx sells caravans.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2024 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 87.02 · 1–5 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
The 23-year-old from Sidmouth has won several Development Tour titles and has qualified for the Worlds for the third time. On the European Tour he has already beaten Joe Cullen and Danny Noppert. He is still waiting for his first Worlds win.
🎵 Walk-on: Cocoon – Catfish and the Bottlemen
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●2th Worlds · since 2026 · best: Round 1
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 87.54 · 0–2 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
The 23-year-old Dutchman is a serial winner on the youth circuits (seven Development Tour and three Challenge Tour titles). In the 2024 world youth final he missed five match darts against Gian van Veen. In 2025 he reached the last 16 at the Grand Slam – lots of talent, but little stage experience yet.
🎵 Walk-on: Crazy Crazy Nights – Kiss
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 92.59 · 1–2 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0 %
A Worlds debutant from Croydon, on tour since the 2025 Q-School and three times a Players Championship quarter-finalist. His best TV result: round five at the 2026 UK Open. A grafter who has worked hard for his place.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: Glad All Over – The Dave Clark Five
💬 Fun factAway from darts Pilgrim works for the supermarket chain Tesco – and he supports Crystal Palace.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●15th Worlds · since 2012 · best: Quarter-final
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 87.47 · 3–8 record
- Trend
- ▼ falling
- Title chance
- 0 %
“Diamond” from Stoke-on-Trent is at his 15th Worlds at 56. A tour stalwart with many Players Championship titles and three World Grand Prix quarter-finals – at the Worlds he went out in the 2014 quarter-finals. 2026 was weak with an 87.5 average.
🎵 Walk-on: Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
💬 Fun fact9 career nine-darters – that is 81 perfect darts without a single miss.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 89.51 · 0–2 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0 %
The 47-year-old Franconian from Ansbach finally makes his Worlds debut. In 2023 he reached the final of Players Championship 21, but then lost his Tour Card. In 2026 he fought his way back via the Challenge Tour (won CT 7, fourth in the rankings). A clear outsider against top players, but no walkover against equals.
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: You’re the Best – Joe Esposito
💬 Fun factWorld Championship debutant: first time at the Ally Pally, first walk-on in front of 3,000 fans in fancy dress. Goosebumps guaranteed.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●Worlds debut
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 86.32 · 1–4 record
- Trend
- ▲ rising
- Title chance
- 0 %
Winner of the 2026 PDC Europe Super League: 13 wins from 14 matches, group winner with 9–1 wins and an 89.98 average. The final against Jan Schmidt was a thriller: Krohne trailed 6–0 – and still won 8–7. A true mentality monster. Earlier in 2026 he became the first German to win the open category of the Dutch Open, and in 2025 he reached the last 16 of the WDF Worlds. Now he makes his PDC Worlds debut.
Strengths Mentality monster – turned the Super League final around from 0–6 · Consistently high averages around 90 · 2026 Dutch Open champion
Weaknesses World Championship debutant · Little experience on the big TV stage
🎤 Crowd & stage: First taste of the Ally Pally stage – how he handles the unique atmosphere remains to be seen. · Walk-on: Let Me Entertain You – Robbie Williams
💬 Fun factHe lost the Super League final in 2024 – two years later he won the title and his World Championship ticket, 8–7 in the very last leg against Jan Schmidt. Earlier in 2026 he had already become the first German to win the open event at the Dutch Open.
Away from darts the Münster native studies civil engineering.
- Worlds experience
- ●●●●●3th Worlds · since 2019 · best: Round 2
- 2026 form
- ●●●●●avg 88.47 · 6–6 record
- Trend
- ■ steady
- Title chance
- 0 %
The 58-year-old Canadian is at his third Worlds; in 2019 he reached round two. In 2026 he reached the US Darts Masters final and played at the World Series Finals. He has plenty of experience – he even reached the semi-finals of the 2024 World Seniors Championship.
🎵 Walk-on: Shout – The Isley Brothers
💬 Fun fact58 years old at the start of the Worlds – and still more accurate than most 25-year-old pub players.
EN
Boris Krčmar, 
Benjamin Pratnemer,