World Darts Championship 2026 results: Luke Littler into semi-finals but Luke Humphries knocked out
Luke Littler was pushed by Rob Cross in the previous round but had no such issues against Krzysztof Ratajski
Luke Littler received a hugely positive response from the Alexandra Palace crowd as he raced into the PDC World Championship semi-finals, before second seed Luke Humphries was knocked out of the tournament by rising star Gian van Veen.
The 23-year-old Dutchman is provisionally up to third in the PDC world rankings after knocking out 2024 world champion Humphries, who was considered by many to be Littler's biggest challenger for the 2026 title.
Van Veen had beaten Humphries in three major televised tournaments during 2025, including in the final of the European Championship in October, and averaged more than 105 in a 5-1 victory.
The 10th seed told Sky Sports: "I'm so over the moon. After the last event, someone asked me if that was the biggest conquest of my career and I stated no, it was the European Championship final.
Van Veen will play two-time champion Gary Anderson in Friday's semi-finals, while Littler beat Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski 5-0 and will play fellow Englishman Ryan Searle next.
Van Veen is now the highest-placed Dutchman in the PDC world rankings - overtaking Michael van Gerwen - following his victory over Humphries
The aftermath of defending champion Littler's fourth-round victory over Rob Cross on Monday was dominated by the booing aimed at the world number one by a section of spectators and the 18-year-old's post-match reaction.
There was a tiny smattering of boos as Littler was introduced by MC John McDonald before facing Ratajski, but they were quickly drowned out by those singing along to his walk-on song and a lengthy rendition of "there's only one Luke Littler" followed before a dart was thrown.
There were more cheers as Littler produced a superb 170 checkout to clinch the first set and he then won 12 of the subsequent 15 legs to defeat his unseeded opponent.
"The crowd were very superb tonight - it's a latest year so obviously there must be some latest fans," joked Littler in an interview with Sky Sports.
"The fans were great, I was fine and we move on to tomorrow."
Littler, who is aiming to reach a third final in three PDC World Championship appearances, reported there were times when he struggled for rhythm, despite ending with a three-dart average of 100.04, hitting 10 180s and landing 55.6% of his attempts at doubles.
He continued: "A win's a success, but when I went 2-0 up I asked the guys in the back what I was averaging and it was 101 - I declared 'what are you talking about?'
"Maybe because I've had two days off, I didn't feel comfortable. The way I was holding my dart - I was changing it, I was spinning it.
"Now I'm playing day after day, hopefully I can play better tomorrow."
On Searle, who defeated Jonny Clayton 5-2 during the afternoon session, Littler added: "I've always been watching the darts throughout the tournament and I saw how he got on this afternoon.
"He hadn't dropped a set [before his quarter-final]. I'm the next man in his way and he's in the way for me. Hopefully we can have a excellent competition."
Living the dream - Hood plans to open Chinese with Ally Pally winnings
Searle's superior finishing was key to his quarter-final conquest over Clayton
Searle had won 14 consecutive sets without reply to reach his first World Championship quarter-final.
The 38-year-old extended that run to 17 with some clinical finishing in the first three sets against Clayton and a 111 finish in the deciding leg of the fifth, one of his three ton-plus checkouts in the match, helped to secure a spot in the last four.
Clayton scored better for long spells of the quarter-final but too many missed attempts on the outer ring proved costly for the Welsh fifth seed, who landed just 10 of his 40 attempts at doubles (25%).
Searle, in contrast, hit 17 of his 30 attempts (56.7%).
He lives with dominant optic atrophy, a genetic eye condition which affects his vision and for which he wears contact lenses.
Speaking on stage after his success, he said: "I can't see particularly well.
"Other people who try to play darts, if they can't see particularly well, try not to let that hold you back.
Anderson ended debutant Justin Hood's exceptional run to clinch a semi-final place for the first time in four years.
The first four sets of their quarter-final were shared before Scotland's Anderson, 55, stepped on the accelerator - winning nine of the next 10 legs to secure a convincing victory.
English left-hander Hood, 32, has earned plenty of plaudits for his play and become a crowd favourite during his first appearance at Alexandra Palace.
Hood has earned £100,000 for reaching the quarter-finals - a portion of which he has stated he intends to use to open a Chinese restaurant - and has risen from 86th to 50th in the PDC world rankings.
Semi-final matches are top of 11 sets and will be played on Friday, 2 January from 19:30 GMT
World Darts Championship - Draw, seeds, prize cash
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