PDC Fantasy Darts has returned for the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, with over 10,000 fans already entering this year’s revamped competition.
This year’s World Darts Championship will see an expanded 128-player field competing for a staggering £1m top prize and the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy, featuring 20 days of action from Thursday December 11 through to the final on Saturday January 3.
In this year's Fantasy Darts competition, fans have the opportunity to pick ten players from seven pre-determined categories, and we’ve taken a look at which players have proved most popular in the transfer window so far…
THE LUKES (x1)
Given the dominance of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries in 2025, fans only have the option to pick one of the world’s top two performers, and it’s reigning champion Littler who is currently the most popular pick, as he bids to go back-to-back at Alexandra Palace.
FAVOURITES (x2)
2020/21 World Champion Gerwyn Price has produced some sensational performances over the last 12 months, and the Welshman is highly-fancied to enjoy another strong run at Ally Pally, with Northern Ireland’s World Cup winner Josh Rock also a big hit with Fantasy Darts managers this year.
CONTENDERS (x2)
Nathan Aspinall has claimed a hat-trick of European Tour titles in 2025, before finishing runner-up to Littler at last month’s Players Championship Finals. The Stockport star has been the most popular selection in the ‘Contenders’ category, with Dutch star Wessel Nijman also catching the eye.
ONES TO WATCH (x2)
Michael Smith showed signs of a resurgence following his run to the quarter-finals of November’s Grand Slam of Darts, and the 2022/23 World Champion is leading the way in the ‘Ones to Watch’ category alongside Women’s Series sensation Beau Greaves.
OUTSIDERS (x1)
Luke Woodhouse continues to make strides at the sport’s top level, and having reached round four at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago, many Fantasy managers are hoping that he’ll produce a similar showing on his return to North London.
LONG SHOTS (x1)
There’s no shortage of options in the ‘Long Shots’ category, although it’s Ireland’s World Cup star Keane Barry - who opens his campaign against Australia’s Tim Pusey - who has been the most popular pick thus far.
DEBUTANTS (x1)
There will be a record 28 debutants featuring in this year’s showpiece, and it’s German newcomer Lukas Wenig - a quarter-finalist in November’s Grand Slam of Darts - who has been selected by 30% of Fantasy Darts players.
HOW FANTASY DARTS WORKS
Scoring System:
Match Won: 3 points
Set Won: 1 point
Set Lost: -1 point
180 Thrown: 1 point
170 Checkout: 3 points
Checkout over 99.5: 2 points
Checkout percentage over 66%: 2 points
Checkout percentage under 33%: -1 point
Average over 99.9: 3 points
Nine-darter: 15 points
Transfers:
Transfers are available to change your team following the conclusion of round two (December 23) and round four (December 30).
You can only transfer your existing picks for other players in the same pre-determined category, and if all players are eliminated from that category, then the squad size will be reduced for all fantasy players across the board.
Captains:
In your team, you can select a Captain and Vice-Captain. Your Captain will score 2x their points, whilst your Vice-Captain will receive 1.5x their points. You can change your Captain and Vice-Captain when the transfer window is open.
Prizes:
The winner of the global leaderboard will receive four tickets to a 2026 BetMGM Premier League night of their choice, plus a Michael van Gerwen limited edition box and signed shirt, with the runner-up set to receive a signed Gerwyn Price shirt and a set of the Welshman's darts.
There will also be a signed Jonny Clayton shirt and a Triple Core dartboard on offer to whoever finishes in third place, while individual prizes are also up for grabs each Gameweek.
Gameweek 1 - New set of Luke Humphries' darts
Gameweek 2 - New set of Michael van Gerwen's darts
Gameweek 3 - New set of Peter Wright's darts
This year's World Darts Championship promises to be bigger and better than ever, so get involved for your chance to win some incredible prizes!
