Michael Smith is relishing his 15th consecutive appearance at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, a tournament that will always hold a special place in his heart.
Smith, the 2022/23 World Champion, had finished runner-up twice before lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy three years ago to cement himself in darting folklore.
The 35-year-old became world number one after his Ally Pally triumph, famously hitting a nine-dart leg against Michael van Gerwen after the Dutchman missed double 12 in one of the greatest legs the sport has ever seen.
Smith subsequently has a special affinity towards Alexandra Palace and sees it as a tournament that defines one’s annual success in the sport.
“It’s always a buzz going back to Ally Pally,” admitted Smith. “Just driving up the hill and seeing the lights, you get that weird feeling.
“It never goes away either - from my first game against Co Stompe in 2011/12 up until now. I want to keep continuing because that feeling won’t disappear ever.
“It’s the main one. As soon as the World Championship finishes, you start thinking about next year, you just want to get back to Ally Pally.
“If I went on to win the World Championship, we’d forget about the last 11 months. One tournament can change the year.”
Since becoming World Champion, Smith has fallen to 31st in the world rankings and has struggled in 2025 with injuries, but he displayed a resurgence in November's Grand Slam of Darts on his way to reaching the quarter-finals.
The St Helens star – who lost eight Premier finals before winning the Grand Slam in 2022 – is one of darts’ most resilient players and insists he will never quit until he is satisfied.
“You’ve definitely not seen the last of me, otherwise I could have quit this year,” affirmed Smith.
“I won’t quit until I get what I want and I think that’s been proven these last 12 months.
“I’m getting back to what I used to be doing practice-wise. I’m scoring and finishing well; it’s about taking it to Ally Pally now.
“I feel good and I feel ready. I’m not 100% but going into the Worlds, if I produce something, I know I can carry it on because I’ve done it that many times and I’ve lifted that trophy before.”
Smith has been pitted against Women’s World Matchplay champion Lisa Ashton on the opening evening, who he defeated 5-3 en route to his 2022 Grand Slam title.
Ashton is often a crowd favourite, as seen in her narrow 5-4 loss to Gian van Veen at the Grand Slam in November, but Smith is ready for the challenge.
“I’m looking forward to it, it should be a good game,” asserted Smith. “Lisa can score heavily and I know I can too.
“I know I’ve got the game and the scoring power, so I’m hoping I’m a little too strong for her, that’s what I’ve got planned in my head.
“It’s just about dealing with my emotions, not letting it get too much and staying focused. I need to get myself in that place and very quickly.
“I know that I can get it done and there’s nothing stopping me from coming back. I’ve just got to go up there and do my job and my job is to make sure I return.”