Luke Littler is out in search of a maiden title as the 2026 PDC season kicks off with the World Masters in Milton Keynes.
The tournament, which runs from January 29 to February 1, is one of two major televised events that back-to-back world champions must win to complete a clean sweep of darts honours.
Defending champion Luke Humphries and World Darts Championship runner-up Gian van Veen made their tournament debuts and led the way in denying Littler further glory.
Runner-up Jonny Clayton, who beat Littler in last year’s quarter-finals, features alongside fellow Premier League stars Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.
World Darts Championship semi-finalists Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle were selected as one of 24 pre-qualified players.
Eight more players who qualified in the qualifying round on January 28 will join the world’s top 24 to complete the 32-player field competing for the £500,000 prize at Arena MK.
Luke Humphries is defending his Winmau World Masters title in Milton Keynes from January 29 (PDC).
2026 World Masters – Pre-Qualified Players
- 1. Luke Littler
- 2. Luke Humphreys
- 3. Gian Van Binh
- 4. Michael van Gerwen
- 5. Johnny Clayton
- 6. Gary Anderson
- 7. Stephen Bunting
- 8. Ryan Sully
- 9. Josh Rock
- 10. Danny Noppert
- 11. James Wade
- 12. Gerwin Price
- 13. Chris Dovey
- 14. Nathan Aspinall
- 15. Martin Schindler
- 16. Ross Smith
- 17. Damon Heta
- 18. Jermaine Wattimina
- 19. Mike De Decker
- 20. Rob Cross
- 21. Luke Woodhouse
- 22. Dave Cheesenall
- 23. Darryl Gurney
- 24. Ryan Joyce
2026 World Masters – Schedule
Wednesday, January 28 (12pm)
qualifying round
Thursday, January 29 (7 p.m.)
1 round x8
Friday, January 30th (7pm)
1 round x8
Saturday, January 31st
Afternoon Session (1pm)
2 rounds x4
Evening Session (7pm)
2 rounds x4
Sunday February 1st
Afternoon Session (1pm)
quarterfinal
Evening Session (7pm)
semifinal
critical
format
All matches at the 2026 World Masters will be played using the best-of-three sets format synonymous with the tournament. Tie-breaks are not used in any set.
1st round
Best of 5 sets, best of 3 legs per set
Round 2
Best of 7 sets, best of 3 legs per set
quarterfinal
Best of 7 sets, best of 3 legs per set
semifinal
Best of 9 sets, best of 3 legs per set
critical
Best of 11 sets, best of 3 legs per set
prize money
- winner – £100,000
- Runner-up – £50,000
- semifinalist – £30,000
- quarter finalist – £17,500
- 2nd round loser – £10,000
- 1st round loser – £5,000
- Preliminary L16 – £2,500
- Preliminary L32 – £1,000
- Preliminary L64 – £750
Who will be the Premier League Darts winner this year? Luke Humphries is set to defend his title and you can watch the action every Thursday from February to May on Sky Sports. Stream the best sports including darts with NOW.
