The PDC World Darts Championship isn’t just the pinnacle of darts; it’s one of the anticipated events on the entire sporting calendar.
The weight of expectation at Alexandra Palace is immense, with players battling not only their opponents but the energy of an electrified crowd and the gravity of the occasion. Ally Pally transforms into a festive cauldron, with darts and enthusiasts and punters alike eagerly scanning the Darts World Championship odds, sweepstakes going around group chats, and offices swiftly putting up dart boards at work – the hype is unreal when the PDC comes to town.
This year’s tournament promises to be one of the highest-calibre competitions in recent memory, boasting a line-up brimming with talent and unpredictability. With fans eager to see the world’s best deliver under the bright lights, the stage is set for a thrilling December.
The unpredictability of the World Champs is also heightened by how last year saw 11 seeded players crash out before the third round, including big names like Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall. With such shocks becoming more frequent, it’s clear that no player can take their place for granted.
As the 2025 championship looms, both favourites and unseeded talents will feel the tension of knowing that one slip could spell disaster – and one surge of belief could create a new fan favourite.
In this article, we take a look at some of the outside players capable of causing upsets at Ally Pally. Those that have perhaps slipped under the radar across other tournaments but could deliver when the lights shine the brightest.
Lourence Ilagan
Currently world number 114, the rankings don’t do Lourence Ilagan justice. A personal favourite of Wayne Mardle, Ilagan’s awkward style and his constant look of unrest goes a long way to putting opponents off their shots, and that has seen the Philippine star win 23 titles.
The Gunner had his work cut out for him last year but has recently made things awkward for the likes of Aspinall and Luke Littler, but his record for starting matches slowly hasn’t helped in recent tournaments. He will need a fast start in order to blitz through the early rounds.
Mike de Decker
Mike de Decker proved why he’s known as the ‘Real Deal,’ this year, claiming his first major title at the World Grand Prix with a stunning victory over reigning champion Luke Humphries.
The Dutchman then pushed Littler to the limit at the Grand Slam of Darts, dazzling fans with his ton-plus averages and pinpoint treble hitting.
De Decker’s walk-on song, Three Little Birds by Bob Marley, gets the crowd roaring as he takes to the stage, but he’ll be looking to win back their full support after calling out fans for whistling during the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton. If he can channel their energy, he’ll truly have nothing to worry about.
Ritchie Edhouse
Certainly a shout from left of field, many punters will be pulling for Ritchie Edhouse to once again stun the darts odds after his 250/1 major win at the European Championship.
It was a first TV title for Edhouse, defeating Jermaine Wattimena 11-3 in a final featuring two of the lowest-ranked players.
‘Madhouse’ completed a dream run that included wins over Michael Smith, Gary Anderson, and Luke Woodhouse, capped by a dominant nine-leg streak in the final.
“This is unbelievable,” said Edhouse, who had never made it past the final 32 of a televised event before his arrival in Germany. “I just wanted to get a couple of wins under my belt and see what happened, so this is a dream come true.
“I think this could be a stepping stone for me because confidence breeds confidence, and now I am really confident and hungry for more!”
