World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Gary Anderson THRASHED, Dimitri van den Bergh on next – updates
THE World Darts Championship action is has brought more drama today as former two-time champion Gary Anderson has been dumped OUT.
Jeffrey De Graaf beat Anderon 3-0, while seeds Ross Smith and Martin Schindler were also dumped out by unseeded players in Paolo Nebrida and Callan Rydz.
Teen sensation Littler, 17, started his darts campaign with a superb win over Ryan Meikle - but then had to cut short an interview after breaking down in tears.
- Start time: From 12.40pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW / Sky Sports app
- TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
- Explainer: What is the prize money?
WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP FREE BETS AND OFFERS
Follow ALL the action from the World Darts Championship with our live blog below...
Next up - Richard Veenstra vs Alexis Toylo
What a performance from Rhys Griffin on debut.
He gets a huge ovation from the Ally Pally crowd, before giving a beaming smile to his watching family.
Another first-round match up next, with Richard 'Flyers' Veenstra taking on Alexis 'Cool Cat' Toylo.
GRIFFIN BEATS SEDLACEK 3-0!
What a stunning performance from the Welshman.
Nerves in the opening set aside, he completely dominated and racked up 8 maximums in the process.
Sedlacek simply blown away.
Credit: Getty Sedlacek 0-2 Griffin (0-2 in sets)
It's third time lucky for Griffin as he finds D10 to take the leg.
He's just one away from the match - a stunned Sedlacek looks a beaten man.
Sedlacek 0-1 Griffin (0-2 in sets)
The stroll for Griffin continues as he easily holds throw to start the third set.
He's racked up 7 maximums already - the Welshman is really in the groove.
Credit: Getty Sedlacek 2-3 Griffin (0-2 in sets)
A huge roar from the Ally Pally crowd.
Sedlacek again struggles and misses doubles for the set.
Griffin strolls up and having beaten those early nerves, finds double 10. He's making this World Championship lark look easy.
Sedlacek 2-2 Griffin (0-1 in sets)
A huge break from Sedlacek.
He wins the leg against the Griffin throw, checking out on D10 to set up another decider.
Sedlacek 1-2 Griffin (0-1 in sets)
It's all going right for the man from Wales.
Double 6 this time seals the leg and Griffin just one away from taking a 2-0 set lead.
Sedlacek 1-1 Griffin (0-1 in sets)
Double trouble for both players as they struggle to close out what could be a pivotal leg.
D9 proves costly for Sedlacek, allowing Griffin to steal it and level things up.
Sedlacek 1-0 Griffin (0-1 in sets)
The Czech strides off for a short break, emerging with a strong leg to get this set off to the perfect start.
Fightback on?
Sedlacek 2-3 Griffin (0-1 in sets)
From 0-2 down to 3-2 in the blink of an eye.
Brilliant darts from Griffin and those early nerves have been extinguished.
He takes the first set in style.
Sedlacek 2-2 Griffin (0-0 in sets)
The tide has turned as Griffin finds his range on the trebles.
Two maximums in the leg and he breaks back, setting up a decider for the first set.
Sedlacek 2-1 Griffin (0-0 in sets)
Griffin is up and running at the Ally Pally.
He's struggled on the doubles so far, but finds D16 to half the deficit.
Sedlacek about to throw for the first set.
Sedlacek 2-0 Griffin (0-0 in sets)
Huge chance for Griffin to respond and he has two darts at double 10 to break back.
Neither hit, before Rhys has another three for the leg. Again, he can't take advantage.
Sedlacek strolls up and steals it. Nerves on show for the Welshman.
Sedlacek 1-0 Griffin (0-0 in sets)
It's Griffin on throw, best of five sets remember in these first-round matches.
A scrappy leg to get us going, with both players struggling to find the trebles at first.
But this is a harsh welcome to the big time from Sedlacek - T18, T18, bullseye.
The 122 is removed and the Czech breaks early.
Sedlacek vs Griffin
It's a World Championship debut for Griffin, who looks a bundle of nerves as he makes his way to the Oche.
A peck on the cheek for his partner before a sheepish wave to the crowd from the underdog.
He'll have the darts to get us underway, it's game on at the Palace.
Up next - Karel Sedlacek v Rhys Griffin
First up and it's Karel 'Evil Charlie' Sedlacek up against Rhys 'Happy Gilmore' Griffin.
Those nicknames. What a sport.
The crowd already packing out the Ally Pally - the afternoon session just moments away as the players prepare their entrance.
Credit: PA Let's play darts
The afternoon matches get underway at 12.30pm. Strap in, we're expected four close games:
- Karel Sedlacek v Rhys Griffin (R1)
- Richard Veenstra v Alexis Toylo (R1)
- Brendan Dolan v Lok Yin Lee (R2)
- Chris Dobey v Alexander Merkx (R2)
The finale of the World Championship is set to January 3 and the winner will take home a whopping £500,000.
Who won the World Darts Championship in the past?
Luke Humphries rubber-stamped his name in darts history by beating teen sensation Luke Littler to lift the 2023/24 crown and earn World No 1 status for the first time in his career.
Here we take a look back at the past 10 winners of the Darts Championship.
Rookie Vs Veteran
The 30-year-old Alexander Merkx will face English player Chris Dobey in the second round this afternoon.
The Dutchman beat Stephen Burton 3-0 on Friday at his tournament debut.
Dobey, on the other hand, has been excelling at the stage for years.
He has only missed the Ally Pally last sixteen once since the 2019 edition, and in the last two years he even advanced to the quarterfinals.
The seasoned player
Brendan Dolan has played at Alexandra Palace every year since 2009.
During 2019 and 2024 editions, he managed to make it to the quarter-finals.
In the second round this evening, Dolan will face Lok Yin Lee from Hong Kong.
Lee, together with Man Lok Leung, won World Cup of Darts for the first time earlier this year.
The Best Asian Player
Alexis Toylo, a Filipino dart player, was by far the best player on the Asian Tour in 2024. He made it to eight finals, five of which he won.
Earlier this year, Toylo had a taste of working on a major stage when he represented the Philippines at the World Cup of Darts with fellow countryman Lourence Ilagan.
However, the World Darts Championship will be Toylo's first time competing at an individual major.
Last Dutchman standing
Richard Veenstra, the final Dutchman playing in the first round, made his debut at Alexandra Palace last year and then deftly advanced to the third round by beating Kim Huybrechts 3-0 in sets before being defeated by a brilliant Michael van Gerwen.
The Welshman debut
Rhys Griffin will step on the stage of the World Darts Championship for the first time this afternoon, facing against Czech player Karel Sedlacek.
Although Griffin has never played at Ally Pally before, this is his third encounter against Sedlacek.
The previous two matches ended with the Czech's victory.
Where Can I watch the World Darts Championship?
Sport fans can tune in to watch the championship this afternoon on Sky Sports. However, a subscription is required to access the coverage.
The dedicated channel Sky Sports Darts will air the action straight from Alexandra Palace.
Not so Littler
It's the day that fans have been waiting for as Luke Littler FINALLY starts his World Darts Championship campaign.
The teen sensation Littler, kickstarts his campaign against English rival Ryan Meikle.
And many are expecting him to pass his first test with flying colours.
We'll have all the coverage right here through our live blog