The 12 Biggest Stories in Darts Right Now
From record-breaking runs and historic firsts to sweeping rule changes and headline-making sanctions, 2026 has already transformed professional darts. Here are the 12 biggest stories shaping the oche right now, led by the newest developments and limited to moments with real stakes.
DRA Bombshell: Van Barneveld, Menzies and Taylor Sanctions Revealed
Sky Sports · August 7, 2026
A newly published case list disclosed a suspended three-month ban and £3,000 fine for five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld alongside sanctions involving Cameron Menzies, Dom Taylor and other major names.
Ally Pally Goes Bigger Than Ever: 180,000 Tickets and a Great Hall Final
Sky Sports · August 6, 2026
The 2026/27 World Championship will move into Alexandra Palace’s 5,200-capacity Great Hall, offer a record 180,000 tickets and stage its final on a Sunday for the first time.
One Deciding Leg, One Huge Record: Greaves Rules Blackpool Again
Sky Sports · July 27, 2026
Beau Greaves held off Fallon Sherrock 6-5 in a last-leg thriller to capture a record third Women’s World Matchplay title in four years.
Littler Obliterates a Phil Taylor Record—and Blackpool’s Field
Sky Sports · July 26, 2026
Luke Littler crushed Gerwyn Price 18-9 to retain the World Matchplay while posting a record 111.04 tournament average and becoming the first darts player to pass £3 million in prize money.
England’s Dream Team Delivers: Littler and Humphries Conquer the World
Sky Sports · June 14, 2026
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries defeated Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen 10-5 to earn England its sixth World Cup of Darts crown.
Two Last-Leg Shootouts, One Crown: Littler Wins the Premier League
Sky Sports · May 28, 2026
Littler survived Gerwyn Price 10-9 in the semi-final before edging Humphries 11-10 at The O2 to claim his second Premier League title.
History With a 142 Checkout: Greaves Becomes the First Woman to Win a PDC Ranking Title
Sky Sports · April 28, 2026
Greaves defeated former world champion Michael Smith 8-7 with a spectacular 142 checkout to break one of professional darts’ biggest barriers.
Darts’ Eligibility Rules Upended: Trans Women Barred from Women’s Events
PDC · April 9, 2026
The Darts Regulation Authority introduced a new policy limiting its women’s tournaments to players it defines as biological females while leaving open events available to all players.
Back-to-Back and Ruthless: Littler Keeps His UK Open Crown
Sky Sports · March 8, 2026
Littler beat James Wade 11-7 in a repeat of the previous year’s final to become only the fourth player ever to retain the UK Open.
Eleven Sets of Chaos: Littler Edges Humphries in a World Masters Classic
Sky Sports · February 2, 2026
Littler prevailed 6-5 in a deciding-set epic to win his first World Masters and the 11th PDC major title of his career.
Seven Straight Sets and £1 Million: Littler Crushes Ally Pally
Sky Sports · January 3, 2026
Littler swept seven consecutive sets to rout Gian van Veen 7-1, become the first back-to-back world champion since 2016 and collect darts’ first £1 million winner’s prize.