The 2026 PDC World Darts Championship roared back to life at London’s Alexandra Palace on December 27, 2025, following its customary Christmas break. Day 14 delivered a feast for darts fans, as the third round began in earnest with a series of gripping matches that saw Jonny Clayton, Krzysztof Ratajski, and Luke Woodhouse all punch their tickets to the Last 16. With the tournament’s format shifting to best-of-seven sets and the stakes rising, every arrow thrown carried extra weight—and the drama did not disappoint.
Jonny Clayton, the Welshman known for his steely temperament, was the first of the trio to secure his passage. Facing a spirited challenge from Dutchman Niels Zonneveld, Clayton had to dig deep, ultimately prevailing 4-3 in one of the most high-quality contests of the championship so far. The match featured an eye-popping 18 180s, with both players trading blows and checkouts in a contest that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
The opening set saw Clayton hold his nerve, taking it 3-2 with a clinical 12-dart 56 checkout. But Zonneveld was not about to roll over. He surged into a 2-0 lead in the next set after Clayton missed a dart at 68, only for Clayton to break back and keep the pressure on. Zonneveld then produced a 14-darter on double eight to clinch the set, leveling the match at one set apiece. The see-saw battle continued as Clayton swept the third set 3-0, only to see Zonneveld respond with a sensational 126 checkout on the bull in the fourth, before sweeping that set as well to tie things up 2-2.
As the tension mounted, both men continued to produce top-class darts. Zonneveld nailed a 96 checkout in the fifth set, sending it to a decider, but Clayton responded with a 13-darter to edge ahead 3-2 in sets. The Dutchman refused to back down, firing in an 81 checkout for an 11-darter to force a final set. In the deciding stanza, Clayton found another gear, sweeping the set 3-0 and sealing a memorable 4-3 victory. With this win, Clayton reached the Last 16 for the fifth consecutive year—a testament to his consistency at the highest level.
Reflecting on the match, Sky Sports’ commentary summed up the intensity: “Jonny knows he’s in a game. One of the most high quality and closely fought matches of the tournament so far.” The stats backed up the sentiment—by the time the dust settled, Clayton had averaged over 101 with a 50% checkout rate, while Zonneveld matched him blow for blow, showing remarkable resilience with checkouts of 126 and 96.
While Clayton’s match stole plenty of headlines, Luke Woodhouse was quietly making history of his own. The Bewdley ace dispatched Andrew Gilding, a fan favorite at Ally Pally, with an impressive 4-1 scoreline. Woodhouse started confidently, pinning double nine to seal the opening set and breaking early in the second. Gilding, not to be outdone, landed a spectacular 152 checkout to take the second set, but Woodhouse responded with a string of high-quality finishes, including a 71 and a 68 checkout, to take control. He broke on double 16 to claim the fourth set 3-0 and wrapped up the match with a 90 checkout, booking his place in the Last 16 for a second consecutive year. Gilding showed flashes of brilliance, but Woodhouse’s consistency proved too much.
Krzysztof Ratajski provided perhaps the day’s most dramatic comeback. The Polish star found himself in deep trouble against Wesley Plaisier, who raced into a 3-1 lead after a series of clinical finishes—among them a 92 checkout and an 11-darter. But Ratajski refused to yield, producing a stunning 152 checkout to ignite his rally. He survived three match darts from Plaisier, leveled the match, and then broke decisively in the final set, sealing a 4-3 victory with a 98.4 average. According to The Sporting News, “Ratajski survives match darts, completes comeback over Plaisier,” a headline that barely does justice to the nerve required in those closing moments.
The afternoon session results set the tone for a blockbuster evening at Ally Pally. As the third round continued, the evening slate promised more fireworks, with Swedish sensation Andreas Harrysson taking on Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko, Stephen Bunting facing James Hurrell, and the main event featuring defending champion Luke Littler against Mensur Suljovic.
Littler, the reigning world champion and current world No. 1, had cruised through his first two matches before the Christmas break, dispatching Darius Labanauskas and David Davies both by 3-0 margins. Though he admitted not being at his absolute best against Davies, Littler capitalized on his opponent’s missed doubles to keep his title defense on track. His third-round clash with Suljovic, set for the evening of December 27, was one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament’s restart. Should Littler advance, a potential quarter-final with either Damon Heta or Rob Cross looms, with other heavyweights such as Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, and 2025 runner-up Luke Humphries possibly waiting further down the line.
The post-Christmas phase of the championship is notorious for its longer matches and heightened drama. With the tournament resuming after a three-day pause, players and fans alike returned refreshed and ready for the business end of the competition. As the bracket stands, the path to the final is packed with intrigue: Woodhouse is set to face Ratajski in the Last 16, while Clayton awaits the winner of Harrysson vs Pietreczko. The quarter-finals are scheduled for New Year’s Day, the semi-finals for January 2, and the grand final—where a new world champion will be crowned—on January 3, 2026.
With the action heating up and storylines converging, the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship is shaping up to be one for the ages. The likes of Clayton, Ratajski, and Woodhouse have already delivered unforgettable performances, and with Littler and other top seeds still in the hunt, fans can expect even more drama as the tournament hurtles toward its thrilling conclusion. For now, the oche remains the stage for legends—old and new—to write their names into darts history.
