On December 22, 2025, the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace promises to deliver thrilling action with its second round matches. Fans can expect to see renowned talents such as Gary Anderson, who is making his mark once again, and rising stars like Dirk van Duijvenbode and Dimitri Van den Bergh.
The day will kick off with afternoon and evening sessions featuring high-stakes confrontations. Anderson, two-time world champion and crowd favorite, will face off against Jeffrey de Graaf, who is playing under the Swedish flag. Anderson, currently among the tournament favorites, previously almost claimed the Grand Slam of Darts title but fell short against Luke Littler. His performance on the tour this season has been excellent, leading to high expectations from fans.
Meanwhile, fans are eager to see how Dirk van Duijvenbode performs against Latvian player Madars Razma. Dubbed "Aubergenius," van Duijvenbode is coming off strong performances, including reaching the semifinals at the Players Championship Finals. He appears confident entering this match, eager to represent the Dutch contingent.
Wessel Nijman, another promising Dutch talent, faced off against England's Joe Cullen. Nijman had been favored to win but struggled significantly, losing 0-3. Despite the disappointment, he reflected positively on his progress since last year, when he exited even earlier.
Dimitri Van den Bergh, known as "The Dreammaker", is set to close out the evening session against Dylan Slevin, who previously defeated his compatriot William O'Connor. Van den Bergh is under pressure to uphold Belgian pride after the early exits of compatriots Kim Huybrechts and Mike De Decker. Both players had disappointing showings, making Van den Bergh's match all the more significant.
Throughout the day, viewers will see multiple exciting matches. The lineup includes:
- Martin Schindler v Callan Rydz - A key match with Rydz coming off impressive form and Schindler determined to prove himself.
- Ross Smith v Paolo Nebrida - Smith, eyeing another deep run after past quarterfinal appearances, will need to perform well against Nebrida, who pulled off upsets earlier.
- Gary Anderson v Jeffrey de Graaf - This match is pivotal for both players, particularly since De Graaf aims to score against Anderson, who has been inconsistent lately.
- Dimitri Van den Bergh v Dylan Slevin - This match could be decisive for Van den Bergh, who is expected to end the day on high for Belgium.
Fans are also excited about how the broadcasting will reach viewers. Viaplay is streaming the entire tournament, with some matches available for free until the Christmas break, after which subscriptions will be required. The response has been exceptionally good, with many voices highlighting the increased visibility of darts and its growing audience.
While the total prize pool for the 2025 World Darts Championship is £2.5 million—a staggering amount compared to the early years of the tournament—it also includes notable monetary structures per round. Players can win substantial amounts, with the champion receiving £500,000. Each player starts with guaranteed earnings based on their position, reflecting the high stakes and competitiveness.
The tournament format also introduces excitement, with the first round played as best of five sets and the second round transitioning to best of five sets with tie-break rules, adding pressure for players to win decisively.
The events of the day highlight not only the personal triumphs and challenges of the players involved but also the increasing prestige and recognition of darts globally. With each match, the tension builds as players not only fight for victory but also for pride and the opportunity to establish themselves within this highly competitive sport.
Indeed, the PDC World Darts Championship 2025 is shaping up to be one for the history books, not only due to the talent on display but also because of the rich narratives developing as the competition progresses.
