Day two of the PDC World Darts Championship 2025/26 delivered thrills and spills at London’s Alexandra Palace on December 12, 2025. European champion Gian van Veen overcame early nerves to secure his first-ever Ally Pally win, defeating Spain’s Cristo Reyes 3-1 in the evening session. Meanwhile, 12th seed Ross Smith endured a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Swedish debutant Andreas Harrysson, marking the tournament’s first major upset. Former 2018 champion Rob Cross cruised 3-0 past Norway’s Cor Dekker, while Ricky Evans and Damon Heta also progressed comfortably. In an expanded 128-player field with a record £5 million prize fund—including £1 million for the winner—these early shocks highlight the unforgiving nature of darts’ biggest stage. As defending champion Luke Littler watches from afar, the PDC World Darts Championship results underscore why no seed is safe in this festive showdown running until January 3, 2026.
Afternoon Session Highlights: Cross Seals Stylish Win, Searle Dominates
The afternoon kicked off with steady progress for seeded players. Niels Zonneveld dispatched New Zealand’s Haupai Puha 3-0, showcasing composure in a straight-sets sweep. Ian White edged a thriller against Mervyn King 3-2, surviving a late fightback to advance.
Ryan Searle, the 20th seed, fired five 180s en route to a commanding 3-0 victory over Dutch qualifier Chris Landman, averaging in the mid-90s and signaling intent for a deep run.
Rob Cross, seeded 17th and the 2018 debutant champion, banished recent form woes with a clinical 3-0 over Norway’s Cor Dekker. Averaging 90.84 with a 47.4% checkout rate, Cross dropped just two legs, sealing the match with a spectacular 170 “big fish” finish—treble 20, treble 20, bullseye. “I was edgy, but that 170… I’ve been practicing it all week,” Cross told Sky Sports. “There’s more in the tank—I feel like I’m back.” His win sets up a second-round clash with Ian White, a rematch of past battles.
Evening Session Drama: Harrysson’s Heroics Stun Smith
The evening brought the day’s bombshell. Ross Smith, the 12th seed and a consistent performer, led 2-1 but squandered six match darts in the fourth set. Swedish debutant Andreas Harrysson, 50, capitalized, winning the decider 3-1 for a 3-2 upset. Harry’s clinical doubles and composure under pressure earned him £25,000 and a spot in round two—his first PDC major win.
Ricky Evans powered past Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung 3-0, his rapid throw and crowd-pleasing energy intact.
Gian van Veen, the 10th-seeded Dutch star and 2025 European Champion, finally broke his Alexandra Palace duck with a 3-1 triumph over Cristo Reyes. After deciders in the opener, Van Veen elevated his game—a 107 average in set two propelled him 2-0 ahead. Reyes clawed back with a 167 checkout, but Van Veen’s grit shone in the fourth, closing with a 14-darter. Averaging 98.91, the 23-year-old two-time World Youth Champion exhaled: “Finally across that line… I was so nervous, like a 16-year-old again. But I belong here.” He faces Alan Soutar or Teemu Harju next.
Damon Heta, Australia’s 16th seed, overcame Ireland’s Steve Lennon 3-1, his power scoring overwhelming in a solid display.
| PDC World Darts Championship 2025/26 Day Two Results (December 12) | Session | Match | Score | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon | Niels Zonneveld vs Haupai Puha | 3-0 | Zonneveld straight-sets debutant | |
| Afternoon | Ian White vs Mervyn King | 3-2 | White survives fightback | |
| Afternoon | Ryan Searle (20) vs Chris Landman | 3-0 | Searle hits five 180s | |
| Afternoon | Rob Cross (17) vs Cor Dekker | 3-0 | Cross seals with 170 checkout | |
| Evening | Ross Smith (12) vs Andreas Harrysson | 2-3 | Major upset; Smith misses six darts | |
| Evening | Ricky Evans vs Man Lok Leung | 3-0 | Evans dominant | |
| Evening | Gian van Veen (10) vs Cristo Reyes | 3-1 | Van Veen’s first Ally Pally win | |
| Evening | Damon Heta (16) vs Steve Lennon | 3-1 | Heta powers through |
These PDC World Darts Championship results capture the tournament’s unpredictability in its expanded format.
Tournament Context: Expanded Field Amplifies Underdog Magic
The 2025/26 edition marks darts’ boldest yet: 128 players (up from 96), 48 international qualifiers, and global broadcast reach. Luke Littler defends his 2025 crown—won aged 17 against Michael van Gerwen—amid a field boasting legends like Van Gerwen, Humphries, and Price. Prize escalation rewards grit: £15,000 for round-one losers, scaling to £1 million for the champion.
Day one’s shocks—Arno Merk ousting Kim Huybrechts, Michael Smith whitewashing Lisa Ashton—set the tone. Harry’s upset over Smith echoes darts’ charm: experience meets opportunity.
Saturday’s Schedule: More Seeds Enter the Fray
Action resumes December 13 from 12:30 GMT (afternoon): Mario Vandenbogaerde vs David Davies, Andrew Gilding vs Cam Crabtree, Luke Woodhouse (25) vs Boris Krcmar, Gary Anderson (14) vs Adam Hunt.
Evening (19:00 GMT): Jeffrey de Graaf vs Paul Lim, Wessel Nijman (31) vs Karel Sedlacek, Luke Humphries (2) vs Ted Evetts, Gabriel Clemens vs Alex Spellman.
Humphries, the No. 2 seed and 2024 champion, headlines—expect fireworks.
The PDC World Darts Championship 2025/26 blends fairy tales and favorites. Van Veen’s breakthrough and Harry’s heroics remind us: at Ally Pally, arrows write legends. With Littler’s defense looming, the oche burns brighter than ever.
