The best day of the PaddyPower PDC World Darts Championship, and darting year, is here.

It seems ridiculous to suggest that the most exciting day of 2024 comes on the first day of the New Year, however that is what quarter final day at Alexandra Palace is looked as by many in the darting world.

Four games, each of them best of nine sets, as the eight remaining players start their final push to winning the Sid Waddell Trophy.

We have two games in each session and by the end of New Year’s Day, we will know the final four left in this tournament.

Here’s what to look forward to on quarter final day at the 2023/24 PaddyPower PDC World Darts Championship.

Top half of draw decided in afternoon session

The first game of the day sees Chris Dobey face Rob Cross in a battle to win the top quarter of the draw. Both come into this game off the back of 4-0 wins in the last 16. Dobey knocked the reigning champion Michael Smith, while Cross saw off Jonny Clayton.

Cross and Dobey contested the 2023 Masters Final, which Hollywood won to claim his first televised title. In fact, Voltage has not beaten Dobey in the last four meetings between the pair, including in last year’s World Championship, in which the Geordie man saw off the 2018 World Darts Champion 4-2 in the last 16.

Dobey then went out to Michael van Gerwen, and is playing in his second straight last eight tie at Alexandra Palace, while Cross is playing his first quarter final since the year he won the Sid Waddell Trophy.

Can Dobey continue his impressive streak against Cross, or will Voltage pull the plug on Hollywood’s excellent 2023/24 World Darts Championship campaign?

The second quarter final sees Brendan Dolan play Luke Littler. Dolan beat Gary Anderson 4-3 in the last round, while Littler comfortably saw off Raymond van Barneveld 4-1.

This is the first time that The History Maker and The Nuke have met in any game. Dolan reached the last eight in 2018/19, while the 16-year old youngster Littler has continued to dazzle on his first appearance on the Ally Pally stage, with his exploits drawing widespread attention.

Who will take their opportunity and reach the last four for the first time?

Van Gerwen and Humphries headline evening session

The first game of the evening session sees Michael van Gerwen face off against Scott Williams. MvG demolished Stephen Bunting 4-0 in the last 16, while Williams beat Damon Heta 4-1.

This will also be the first time that these two players lock horns on a TV stage. The only occasion of the two of them meeting came in Players Championship 27 on the floor, when Van Gerwen saw off Shaggy 6-2.

The Green Machine is looking to continue his astonishing record at the Palace, and win his fourth PDC World Darts Championship in the process. Meanwhile, this is the first time Williams has reached a quarter final on the TV.

Can MvG continue his fantastic tournament where he has yet to drop a set? Or will Williams get the biggest win of his career and knock out the tournament favourite?

The last quarter final sees Luke Humphries play Dave Chisnall. Humphries survived a last leg shootout to beat Joe Cullen 4-3 in one of the greatest last 16 games ever last time out. It was slightly more comfortable for Chisnall, beating Daryl Gurney 4-2.

These two met in multiple floor finals in 2023. Chisnall won the majority, including three European Tour events and a Pro Tour final. The only time when Humphries came out on top was in Players Championship 15, but did win their last TV meeting at the 2021 UK Open en route to his first televised final.

Humphries was considered the tournament favourite at the start of the event, after winning three of the last four TV titles including the World Grand Prix and the Grand Slam. Chizzy, of course, has yet to win a TV major title.

Will Chisnall continue his excellent run against Humphries and make his second last four appearance in four years at this event? Or will Cool Hand, after coming through battles in rounds three and four, get another win to reach his first World Darts Championship semi final at his fourth attempt?

PaddyPower World Darts Championship Quarter Final Schedule of Play

Monday 1 January 2024

Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)

2x Quarter Finals

Rob Cross v Chris Dobey
Brendan Dolan v Luke Littler

Evening Session (1930 GMT)

2x Quarter Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Scott Williams
Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall