It’s been a week of high drama, electrifying upsets, and personal milestones at the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. As the tournament barrels toward its grand finale, the spotlight has shone brightest on a trio of compelling storylines: the resurgence of Scotland’s Gary Anderson, the meteoric rise of Dutch prodigy Gian van Veen, and the relentless dominance of defending champion Luke Littler. With every dart thrown, the stakes have only grown higher, and fans around the world can hardly look away.
Gary Anderson, now 55 and affectionately known as the ‘Flying Scotsman’, has been the talk of the darts world since the very first round. Not only has he dispatched a roster of formidable opponents—including a statement victory against third seed Michael van Gerwen in the last 16—but he’s also made headlines for his candid stance on his future in the sport. Despite his deep run at Ally Pally and a growing chorus of pundits tipping him as a genuine title contender, Anderson remains adamant: even a third world title won’t lure him back into the grueling Premier League Darts circuit.
"No, no I’m quite happy, I need to concentrate on my rankings," Anderson told talkSPORT earlier this week, putting to rest any speculation about a Premier League return. "If I done the Premier League, Europeans gone, Players Championship gone. I couldn't give a monkeys [if I'm world champion]. I can't do it, it's been great the years I've done it." Anderson’s reasoning is as much about personal priorities as professional ones. The Premier League Darts, a sixteen-week marathon of travel and competition, simply doesn’t fit with his current focus on world rankings and, more importantly, his life away from the oche.
That life, as it turns out, is as rich and fulfilling as his darts career. Anderson, who secretly wed his wife Rachel in a surprise ceremony abroad in 2022 (guests thought they were attending his 51st birthday party!), now calls Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset home. There, he’s swapped the relentless pace of the professional darts circuit for the tranquil rhythm of running a four-lake fishery, spending precious time with Rachel and their two children, Tai (11) and Cheylea (8). It’s a lifestyle that’s brought him genuine happiness—and, perhaps, a new kind of competitive edge.
"Well, when I am not busy at the lakes, I squeeze in a few tournaments in between," Anderson revealed to Online Darts earlier this year, a testament to his relaxed but focused approach. In fact, he credits fellow pro Ian ‘Diamond’ White for reigniting his passion for angling after a long hiatus. "It was funny because it was actually Whitey’s fault – he kind of started it off. I used to fish when I was a youngster – salmon, trout, flyfishing. I hadn't fished for years and we were at Blackpool staying out at Ribby Hall with Ian. He said, 'Oh, there's a couple of lakes here,' so we ended up doing a bit of fishing. I really enjoyed it. The next year we did the same again, stayed at the same place, had a couple of days fishing, really enjoyed it, and then I ended up buying a fishing rig. That's how it all started. I just like it. I like being out in the fresh air."
Anderson’s love for fishing has come at a cost to his darts commitments, with the Scot missing out on several Premier League and European Tour events in recent seasons. Yet, the results speak for themselves—he’s already pocketed £200,000 in prize money at this year’s World Championship, and his form at Ally Pally has been nothing short of spectacular. After breezing past Justin Hood in the quarter-finals, Anderson faced the 23-year-old Dutch sensation Gian van Veen in the semi-finals—a clash of generations and styles that had fans buzzing with anticipation.
Van Veen, the reigning European and world youth champion, has been on a tear of his own. After toppling world number one Luke Humphries in the quarters, the Dutchman set his sights on Anderson. The semi-final showdown did not disappoint. Live updates from the match painted a picture of relentless pressure and high-quality darts. Van Veen surged ahead early, but Anderson, ever the battler, clawed back with a series of clutch checkouts and nerve-jangling finishes. At one point, Anderson nailed a bullseye to check out 121, prompting the crowd to erupt in disbelief and delight—"Amazing, wow. He’s not done yet!" the live commentary exclaimed.
Despite Anderson’s valiant efforts, Van Veen’s consistency and scoring power proved decisive. The Dutchman eventually clinched a 6-3 victory, booking his place in the final against the seemingly unstoppable Luke Littler. For Anderson, the loss was bittersweet. He came within touching distance of another world final, and—had he triumphed—would have become the oldest champion in PDC history. Still, his run to the semis, the quality of his play, and his unwavering commitment to his own path have only enhanced his legend.
Meanwhile, Luke Littler continues to dazzle. The 18-year-old defending champion has stormed into his third consecutive World Darts Championship final, dispatching Ryan Searle 6-1 in the semis with a display of composure and precision that belies his years. Littler’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges—he endured boos and pressure in a fourth-round thriller against Rob Cross, only to bounce back with a dominant quarter-final performance. After his semi-final rout, Littler was quick to acknowledge the crowd: "The support was unbelievable," he said, a nod to the passionate Ally Pally faithful.
With the stage now set for a mouthwatering final between Littler and Van Veen, darts fans are in for a treat. Both players have shown nerves of steel, a flair for the dramatic, and a hunger for the sport’s biggest prize. For Anderson, the tournament may have ended one step short, but his story—a blend of personal fulfillment, professional excellence, and unwavering authenticity—remains one of the most compelling of the championship.
The action at Alexandra Palace isn’t over yet, and with a new champion set to be crowned, all eyes are on the oche. Whether it’s the rise of new stars or the enduring brilliance of seasoned legends, the 2025/26 World Darts Championship has once again delivered unforgettable moments—and it’s not done yet.
