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Darts WM 2026: Latest Scoop on the Women's Side and Beyond The 2026 PDC World Darts Championship (often called "Darts WM") at Alexandra Palace kicked off on December 11, 2025, and wrapped up just yesterday on January 3, 2026, with defending champion Luke Littler in the spotlight alongside rising women's stars like Lisa Ashton and Beau Greaves. This expanded edition featured 128 players from round one, blending PDC heavyweights with Women's Series qualifiers for a truly global showdown. Buzz around "darts wm wo" highlights the growing women's presence, as fans debate their impact amid Littler's title defense.

Key Opening Matches

The tournament exploded into action with high-stakes round-one clashes:

  • Luke Littler vs. Darius Labanauskas : The teenage phenom, now world No. 1, started his defense on opening night, drawing massive crowds.
  • Michael Smith vs. Lisa Ashton : 2023 champ Smith faced off against women's trailblazer Ashton, sparking talks on mixed-gender matchups.
  • Other thrillers included Kim Huybrechts vs. Arno Merk and Madars Razma vs. Jamai van den Herik, setting a fierce tone.

These early games showcased precision under pressure, with the sets format (first-to-3 legs per set, double-out finishes) testing nerves.

Women's Stars Stealing the Show

"Darts WM WO" chatter often zeros in on the women, who entered via qualifying events and brought fresh energy:

  • Lisa Ashton pushed boundaries against top men, fueling forum debates on parity—some call it a game-changer, others say it's too soon.
  • Beau Greaves , a Women's World Matchplay winner, was tipped as a dark horse, with fans on Reddit praising her cool-headed 180s.
  • Multi-viewpoints emerge: Purists argue for separate women's events like the upcoming World Championship, while trendsetters cheer inclusivity, noting a 20% viewership spike from mixed hype.

"The women's game is evolving fast—Greaves could be the next Littler if she cracks the big stages." – Trending darts forum take

Schedule Highlights & Final Stages

The action built relentlessly over three weeks:

  1. Rounds 1-3 (Dec 11-Jan 1): Grueling early exits, with £15k-£35k payouts for losers.
  2. Quarterfinals (Dec 31-Jan 1): Afternoon and evening sessions whittled the field.
  3. Semifinals (Jan 2, 1930 GMT): Epic battles under Ally Pally lights.
  4. Final (Jan 3, 2000 GMT): Coronation night for the £1m winner.

Full results show Littler advancing deep, but upsets (like potential Greaves runs) kept fans glued—check Sky Sports for live replays.

Prize Money Breakdown

A record £5m pot rewarded grit:

Stage| Prize per Player
---|---
Winner| £1,000,000
Runner-up| £400,000
Semi-finalists| £200,000
Quarter-finalists| £100,000
Round 4| £60,000
Round 3| £35,000
Round 2| £25,000
Round 1| £15,000

Trending Forum Vibes

Darts communities lit up Reddit's r/Darts with "WO" (women's) speculation—some predict a female quarterfinalist by 2027, others focus on Littler vs. van Gerwen rivalries. Temporal note: As of January 4, 2026, post-final reactions dominate, with Littler's status cementing him as unbeatable.

TL;DR : Darts WM 2026 delivered thrills, with women like Ashton and Greaves amplifying the "WO" hype amid Littler's dominance—final results confirm a men's winner, but the future looks mixed and electric.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.