An impressive Luke Littler powered into the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship as the teenage superstar beat Nathan Aspinall 5-2.
Littler had survived a scare earlier in the tournament but showed no signs of pressure in his last eight encounter, starting superbly and rarely relenting to again average three figures. While Aspinall stayed with the youngster at times, he never looked likely to produce the consistency to match last year’s runner-up, squandering a couple of key opportunities as Littler set up a meeting with Stephen Bunting.
Bunting had earlier overcome Peter Wright, surging to a 4-0 lead against the Scot before surviving a mini fightback to take the encounter 5-2. The afternoon action, meanwhile, saw Chris Dobey defeat Gerwyn Price with a fine performance, while Michael van Gerwen battled through a tough, high-scoring match against Callan Rydz as the Dutchman continued his pursuit of a fourth world title and remained on a potential final collision course with Littler.
We’re guaranteed a new winner in 2025 after defending champion Luke Humphries lost 4-1 to Wright in round three, with the Englishman joining two-time champion Gary Anderson and second seed Michael Smith as notable names to exit the competition early on.
Follow all of the build-up from Ally Pally in our live blog below:
World Darts Championship 2025
- The World Darts Championship semi-finals take place tonight live on Sky Sports
- Luke Littler continues pursuit of first world title after an excellent performance and 5-2 victory against Nathan Aspinall
- The 17-year-old faces Stephen Bunting next in the headline match tonight at around 9pm GMT
- First up is Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey from 7:30pm
- Premier League Darts 2025 schedule, venues and potential line-up
‘Gutted’ Callan Rydz reacts to heartbreaking quarter-final loss to Michael Van Gerwen
15:30 , Jack Rathborn“Gutted, annoyed, but a classic to be in,” Rydz said on Instagram.
“I couldn’t give much more, I am broken. I played one of the games of my life but it wasn’t meant to be this year. But a very positive start to 2025.”
Chris Dobey buoyant after double-double finish: ‘It’s the way I go!’
15:05 , Jack Rathborn"It's a massive achievement in my career, it's hard work, the most nervous I've ever felt to win a match. I gave myself a telling off in the break, I knew I could do it,” Dobey says.
“Thoughts went through my head, I thought, ‘not again!’ Throwing to win the match, I was so nervous.
“It was a bit up and down, I’m delighted. Yes, 100 percent, I’m a better player now, I’ve missed doubles, but the finish with the double-double, I knew I could go there. It was a great feeling.”
Luke Littler reveals Didier Drogba inspiration behind celebration
14:46 , Jack Rathborn"It was [Didier Drogba],” Luke Littler says about his celebration during his quarter-final with Nathan Aspinall.
“My mate has been pestering me for months and months to do it, he was in the crowd tonight.
“When I was walking off he did the celebration, I looked at him and I done it. Yes, [it was] from Fifa!”
"My mate's been pestering me for months!" 😆
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) January 2, 2025
That was indeed a Didier Drogba-inspired celebration from Luke Littler you saw last night... 😅 pic.twitter.com/AJbaI4w4t5
Premier League Darts 2025: Schedule, dates, venues and potential line-up including Luke Littler
14:21 , Jack RathbornAs the PDC World Darts Championship approaches a thrilling conclusion with Luke Littler bidding for his first title, attention turns towards the Premier League in 2025.
The Littler effect continues to transform the sport, with Belfast’s SSE Arena hosting the opening night of the new season on 6 February in 2025, leaving just a month between the final at ‘Ally Pally’ and the start of a wild tour throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe with 17 venues in total.
Reigning champion Littler will return, having produced nine darts from the gods on his way to victory in May, while world No. 1 Luke Humphries is sure to be back, as eight players battle for both the prestigious title and £1m in prize money.
The season-ending Play-Offs conclude on an action-packed night at The O2 in London on 29 May, with the final places up for grabs in the coming days.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Premier League and a potential line-up:
Premier League Darts 2025: Schedule, tickets, venues and line-up
World Darts Championship 2025 latest odds
13:50 , Jack RathbornOutright
- Luke Littler 4/7
- Michael van Gerwen 5/2
- Stephen Bunting 8/1
- Chris Dobey 12/1
Semi-final 1
- Chris Dobey 7/4
- Michael van Gerwen 2/5
Semi-final 2
- Stephen Bunting 7/2
- Luke Littler 1/6
World Darts Championship order of play for semi-finals
13:25 , Jack RathbornThursday January 2 (7.30pm)
Semi-finals:
Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey
Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting
World Darts Championship semi-finals prediction & best bets: Littler can dodge The Bullet
13:05 , Jack RathbornWe’re down to the last four at the World Darts Championships with Michael van Gerwen taking on Chris Dobey before Luke Littler faces Stephen Bunting at Ally Pally tonight, where the action gets underway at 7:45pm.
Everyone would love to see a Van Gerwen vs Littler final, with the latter going for his first title, while the Dutchman is chasing his fourth but Dobey and Bunting will be hoping to cause a shock.
Betting apps have Littler as the favourite to win the tournament at 8/11, ahead of Van Gerwen at 13/5, Bunting at 10/1 and Dobey at 14/10.
World Darts Championship semi-finals prediction: Littler can dodge The Bullet
‘MVG’ yet to target the bull in tournament
12:44 , Jack Rathborn📊 0️⃣
— Darts Tracker (@Darts_Tracker) January 1, 2025
Michael Van Gerwen has reached the Semi Final of this years PDC World Darts Championship without an attempt at Bullseye to win a leg.#WCDarts 🎯
📸 BBC/Getty pic.twitter.com/oss71DBlHG
Chris Dobey on keeping his nerve against an animated Gerwyn Price
12:25 , Jack Rathborn"It doesn't bother us, he played better when he was giving it," says Dobey on keeping his nerve against Gerwyn Price.
“It died off in the middle of the game and that helped me. I'll give it when I need to.
“He had the crowd on his side, but I had to quieten them and I did that by taking the first two legs of the last set. I'm happy.”
Ipswich Town players show off their darting ability at training ground
12:10 , Jack RathbornLove the darts. 🎯🤩 pic.twitter.com/woExhNiPPB
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) January 2, 2025
Michael Van Gerwen admits annoyance during quarter-finals
11:55 , Jack Rathborn“He gave me everything,” Van Gerwen said. “He didn’t stop hitting trebles. When I was 4-2 up, I thought I broke him but he never gave up.
“I was getting annoyed at a point! But I did it when I had to and I’m really happy with my performance. My game is in a good place. We are only in the semis, so it doesn’t mean anything yet.
“The game had everything, it had drama, 180s and to be part of games like this gives you a lot of joy. It’s one of the best performances I have done in a long time. I’m over the moon.”
Bunting vs Littler head-to-head
11:40 , Jack RathbornHere’s a look at the head-to-head record between Bunting and Littler.
‘The Bullet’ beat ‘The Nuke’ 7-6 last time out in October in a thriller at the Players Championship 24.
But the 17-year-old had the better of Bunting in September, winning 8-7, with the record standing at 1-1.
PDC World Darts Championship 2026
11:25 , Jack RathbornIf you’re keen to grab tickets for next year’s World Championship, you can find details here.
One of Littler, Van Gerwen, Bunting and Dobey will be defending their title at ‘Ally Pally’.
It’s been a terrific tournament and the game looks set to explode in 2025 with more talent on the continent and around the world than ever before.
Luke Littler playing with ‘freedom’ on way to semi-finals
11:09 , Jack Rathborn“I think we both played very well there,” Littler said on Sky Sports. “I’m so glad to win. The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it...
“The Ryan Meikle game (in the second round) was very tough but ever since it has felt like last year. I’m just playing with absolute confidence.
“When they’re going in I’m playing with freedom, but now I’m looking on to the semi-finals.”
Michael Van Gerwen reacts to reaching PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals
10:15 , Jack Rathborn“To play against a player who is the credit of this tournament, when I had to, I gave a lot of energy,” says ‘MVG’.
“It was a tough one, he put me under pressure, some of the most difficult moments of my year. To answer with that performance it gives me a lot of energy.
“I think I’m in a good place, otherwise you can’t produce what I did tonight. It means a lot. On such high standards, it gives me goosebumps. If I keep performing like this, I definitely have a chance [to win a fourth world title].”
Stephen Bunting reacts to reaching PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals
10:00 , Jack Rathborn“[My combination finishing is] massive, when I won the Masters, that was pivotal to go on and win that title, I know it’s in my locker, tonight I was nervous but I am so happy,” Bunting added.
“It’s a fight for the title. When you get on the oche, you want to knock 10 bells out of each other. I’m going to go to bed early and wake up for this fight.
“It’s a massive achievement for me to be in the semi-finals and one I’ll relish. It’ll be difficult. It’ll be a cracking game.”
Luke Littler maintains incredible average at World Darts Championship
09:45 , Jack RathbornLuke Littler averaged 101.54 in his quarter-final win over Nathan Aspinall.
‘The Nuke’ has only averaged less than 100 in three of his 11 matches so far at ‘Ally Pally’ since his debut in last year’s tournament.
A rolling average across all of those 11 matches is now 101.22, he is just 17 years of age.
Stephen Bunting reacts to reaching PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals
09:30 , Jack Rathborn“At 4-0 up, I felt comfortable and in control, but then he started fighting back,” Bunting adds on how he felt in the quarter-finals.
“He [Wright] is my son’s favourite player for a reason, that was in the back of my mind, I knew I had to put him to the sword, but he was so hard to shake off. The emotion of the whole event got on top of me, but thankfully I found a way to get over the line.”
Luke Littler supports friend Angry Ginge after quarter-final win
09:15 , Jack Rathborn"Leave my mate alone!" 📢
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 1, 2025
Luke Littler and Angry Ginge having fun with the Ally Pally crowd 😆 pic.twitter.com/zfXEfl01YM
Stephen Bunting reacts to reaching PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals
09:00 , Jack Rathborn“If you’d seen me 10-15 minutes ago, you’d have not seen me speak,” says Bunting. “I was overwhelmed with tears.
“To come into this tournament last year I was world No.25, now I’m world No.5. It’s a pinch-me moment. But it shows the hard work behind the scenes is paying off.
“I’ve got a whole day to recover and recuperate and show that the best version of me turns up tomorrow because I’ll need it.”
Luke Littler reacts to reaching semi-finals of PDC World Darts Championship
08:45 , Jack Rathborn"I wouldn't say freedom, Nathan is on your back with 180s, 140s, but tonight is the best I've felt," Littler adds.
"We [me and Stephen Bunting] are good friends as well.
“But the mindset is the same as tonight. All that is in my head is to make that second final."
Luke Littler storms into PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals
08:30 , Jack Rathborn
Luke Littler reacts to reaching semi-finals of PDC World Darts Championship
08:24 , Jack Rathborn“I feel amazing to get the win and start off 2025 with a win” Littler says.
“It’s sunk in now, two semi-finals, but I want to go a step closer and win tomorrow night.
“Overall it was a good [performance], I pinged the doubles first time, not all the time, but when it mattered, I hit them!”
Luke Littler cruises past Nathan Aspinall to set up World Championship semi-final clash with Stephen Bunting
Wednesday 1 January 2025 23:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleLuke Littler advanced to the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship for a second year running as he cruised past Nathan Aspinall 5-2 in their last-eight clash.
The 17-year-old made 15 maximums, taking his tally for the tournament past the half-century mark, and capitalised on Aspinall’s inability to finish his own opportunities as he made it look relatively comfortable.
Aspinall extended the contest by getting it back to 4-2 but Littler closed it out as he looks to cap an outstanding first year on the PDC Tour - in which he was won 10 titles - with his first world crown.
Luke Littler cruises past Nathan Aspinall to set up clash with Stephen Bunting
The PDC World Darts Championship is in full flow, with plenty of shocks and show-stopping moments already captivating fans at Alexandra Palace.
But how much money is on the line, and what can players expect to take home if they reach the latter stages of the tournament?
World Darts Championship prize money: How much will winner earn at Ally Pally?
Semi-final line-up
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleThursday January 2 (7.30pm)
Semi-finals:
Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey
Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler beats Nathan Aspinall 5-2 to reach World Darts Championship semi-finals
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleGame shot, and the match - Luke Littler is back in the last four at Ally Pally! Nathan Aspinall battled hard and hit some serious highs, but double tops is match dart. Another three-figure average for the favourite.
He’ll take on Stephen Bunting for a place in the final.
Luke Littler 4-2 (2-0) Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleDynamite. A checkout of 101 completed on tops and Littler is (again) a leg away.
Luke Littler 4-2 Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe’re going to another set! Nathan Aspinall is back from the brink - for now, at least.
Luke Littler 4-1 (2-2) Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleAspinall lives! A double 16 with the pressure on and he’ll have the darts in the decider.
Luke Littler 4-1 (2-1) Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleLuke Littler finally finds a bullseye, two 20s to navigate down from 90 and then drilling it home. One more leg’ll do it.
Luke Littler 4-1 Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleThree legs between Luke Littler and another semi-final. Can Nathan Aspinall rally? Littler opening with a 180 won’t necessarily give the underdog confidence.
Luke Littler 4-1 Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle‘Tis but a brief blip. Luke Littler has his eyes fixed on the final four.
Luke Littler 3-1 Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleBut that’s what the teenager can do. An 11-dart leg to leave Nathan Aspinall without a hope and his advantage widened again.
Luke Littler 2-0 Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleA big 180 from Nathan Aspinall gives him hope...or not. Luke Littler misses 25 but is happy with the bull, niftily working down to three and across to double six for the finish.
Luke Littler 1-0 (2-1) Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleStill no maximum, but an 11-dart leg will suit Luke Littler fine.
There we go. A gorgeous grouping for a 180 in leg number six en route to a steal.
Luke Littler 1-0 Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleA statement set. Luke Littler sweeps it with an almost impudent seven, double two finish.
Luke Littler 0-0 (1-0) Nathan Aspinall
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleYeah, that’ll do. 105 checkout for a 12-dart start. Useful.
