As the festive season approaches, anticipation builds for the PDC World Championship, the crown jewel of the darts calendar.
Each December, the best players from around the world gather at Alexandra Palace, or “Ally Pally,” to witness the sport’s most colourful spectacle.
Darts has grown from a niche pastime to a mainstream phenomenon, with the World Championship at its heart—where dreams are made, legends are crowned, and only one can emerge as champion.
Over the last few years, popularity has really grown, with only a select few lucky enough to secure tickets for the tournament. The comical characters, fancy dress outfits and walkout songs will be enough to make any darts player want to win, and the early rounds provide so much unpredictability in the Darts World Championship odds.
In this article, we look back at the last five PDC World Championship winners, each of whom etched their names in history under the bright lights of Ally Pally.
2024 – Luke Humphries
Luke Humphries claimed last year’s title in front of a packed Ally Pally, finally landing the worlds after a great season that also saw him win the Grand Slam of Darts.
His run to the championship saw him take down Luke Littler in the final, with his victory adding ‘Cool Hand’s’ name to the elite list of PDC World Champions and affirming his rising status in the sport.
Humphries has shown that he may be a contender for many years to come, and will look to retain his title in London.
2023 – Michael Smith
The 2023 final will go down as a classic, and Michael “Bully Boy” Smith delivered a performance that will be remembered for years.
In one of the best darts finals ever, Smith displayed unbreakable resolve and breathtaking precision to lift his first PDC World Championship title to beat Michael van Gerwen.
His win not only fulfilled a lifelong dream but also solidified his reputation as one of the finest players in modern darts. For Smith, this victory was as much a testament to his resilience as it was to his talent.
2022: Peter Wright
Peter “Snakebite” Wright captured his second PDC World Championship title in 2022, adding to his first win in 2020.
Known for his colourful attire and eccentric hairstyles, Wright brings as much personality to the sport as he does skill.
His consistency and flair were on full display as he expertly navigated the tournament to take home the trophy once again. Though his best days on the oche may be behind him, he can look back at that run of form with pride and could yet cause a stir in the darts odds as world number 14.
2021: Gerwyn Price
In 2021, Gerwyn Price overcame immense pressure and fan scepticism to claim his first PDC World Championship title.
Competing in the unique setting of lockdown, Price faced the challenge of playing without the usual roaring crowd, ultimately turning doubters into fans.
His journey from underdog to champion showcased his mental toughness, and his powerful playing style earned him the respect of darts fans worldwide.
2019: Michael van Gerwen
With Wright winning in 2020 and already mentioned, it’s only right we draw attention to Dutch powerhouse Michael van Gerwen, who secured his second PDC World Championship title in 2019, dominating the tournament with his trademark intensity.
Van Gerwen, already a fan favourite, demonstrated his skill in the first Worlds without Phil Taylor. MVG beat Smith 7-3 to claim his title and establish himself as one of the modern greats of darts.
