Darts

2025 World Darts Championship: Chris Dobey’s chances

The North East’s own Chris Dobey will be looking ahead to the World Darts Championship draw to see his opponents for the upcoming competition.

The 2025 World Darts Championship gets underway on Sunday December 15 at the famous Alexandra Palace, with the draw taking place on Monday November 25.

The first round consists of 64 players who earned their spots in the tournament through various events during 2024, with the top 32 from the PDC Order of Merit going straight through to the second round.

Dobey, currently ranked 15th in the Order of Merit, will be one of those going straight to the second round.

Credit: Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News

The 34-year-old, nicknamed “Hollywood”, was knocked out in the quarter-finals of the 2024 World Championship by Rob Cross, in a match where he was 4-0 up but ended up losing and ultimately exiting the competition.

However, earlier in the competition Dobey defeated the reigning champion Michael Smith by four sets in the fourth round.

The Englishman has had a successful year, most recently winning his third Players Championship title of the season in Players Championship 25 after beating Stephen Bunting in Wigan.

This follows his successes in Players Championship 7 and 19.

Other names to look out for in the draw is current champion Luke Humphries, who will be looking to retain his title as well as his first-place position in the PDC Order of Merit.

Luke Littler is another one to watch, the then 16-year-old reached the final of last year’s competition after a dazzling tournament which saw him beat the likes of Brendan Dolan and Rob Cross.