Luke Littler started his title defence in style with a 3-0 victory over Darius Labanauskas, as Michael Smith also progressed with a straight-sets win on the opening night of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship.

The 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship gets underway on Thursday evening, as Luke Littler begins his defence of the title on a star-studded opening night at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Darts' new era begins on Thursday, when the Paddy Power World Darts Championship sees the PDC's new partnership with Sky Sports commence alongside the start of unprecedented prize fund increases.

Luke Littler, the reigning Paddy Power World Champion and world number one, is setting his sights on back-to-back titles at Alexandra Palace this year.

2023/24 World Champion Luke Humphries received his MBE from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Fans can now order the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship programme ahead of the tournament beginning next week.