The 2026 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace has concluded in a blaze of glory, with unseeded underdog Jamie 'The Jet' Wilson stunning the darting world by defeating top-seed Michael van Gerwen 7-5 in a pulsating final. In a tournament packed with upsets and drama, Wilson's victory marks the first time an unseeded player has won the title since 2007, capping off a fairy-tale run that saw him overcome four former champions and average over 100 in every match from the quarter-finals onward. The 28-year-old from Leeds, previously ranked outside the top 32, now etches his name into darting history, claiming the £500,000 top prize and the Sid Waddell Trophy in front of a raucous Ally Pally crowd.
Wilson's path to glory was nothing short of miraculous, beginning with a 3-0 demolition of 16th seed Jonny Clayton in the first round. He then dispatched two-time champion Gary Anderson 4-2 in a tense second-round clash, before a stunning 5-1 victory over reigning champion Luke Humphries in the third round sent shockwaves through the sport. In the quarter-finals, Wilson averaged 104.8 to edge out Peter Wright 5-4, and he followed that with a 6-3 semi-final win over Gerwyn Price, where he nailed a 170 checkout in the deciding leg. His final against van Gerwen saw him rally from 3-1 down, hitting 14 maximums and sealing victory with a 121 bullseye finish, showcasing nerves of steel that belied his underdog status.
For Michael van Gerwen, the 2026 final represents another heartbreak in a career that has seen him dominate the sport with three world titles (2014, 2017, 2019). The Dutchman entered the tournament as the overwhelming favorite, having topped the PDC Order of Merit for most of the year and boasting a tournament average of 103.5. However, his inability to close out key moments against Wilson—missing three darts at double 16 in the 10th set—proved costly, extending his world championship drought to seven years. This loss raises questions about van Gerwen's ability to reclaim his throne, with younger rivals like Wilson now emerging as serious threats to his legacy.
The 2026 championship was a tournament of surprises, with several top seeds falling early. Second seed Luke Littler, the 2024 champion, crashed out in the second round to veteran James Wade, while third seed Rob Cross was eliminated in the first round by qualifier Boris Krcmar. Other notable upsets included Nathan Aspinall's third-round exit to rising star Gian van Veen and Dimitri Van den Bergh's quarter-final loss to Gerwyn Price. These results highlight the increasing depth and competitiveness in the PDC, where no player can take victory for granted, and underdogs are rewriting the script on the sport's biggest stage.
Jamie Wilson's victory carries significant implications for the future of darts. His rise from obscurity—ranked 45th before the tournament—to world champion underscores the sport's global growth and the opportunities for new talent to break through. With this win, Wilson rockets to number one in the PDC Order of Merit, securing his place in the Premier League and other major events for 2026. His story, reminiscent of Raymond van Barneveld's 2007 triumph as an unseeded player, is set to inspire a new generation of dartists and could signal a shift in the sport's power dynamics, challenging the established elite.
Looking ahead, the 2026 World Darts Championship will be remembered as a watershed moment that blended high-quality darts with unpredictable drama. Wilson's achievement not only adds a fresh chapter to the sport's history but also sets the stage for an exciting 2027 season, with van Gerwen, Humphries, and others hungry for redemption. As the dust settles at Alexandra Palace, one thing is clear: darts continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and with talents like Jamie Wilson emerging, the future promises even more thrilling battles on the oche.
Source: BBC Sport Darts