It’s been 347 days since Luke Humphries defeated Luke Littler in the Paddy Power World Darts Championship Final to become World Champion for the first time.

Now, the doors of Alexandra Palace are about to open for the first of 28 sessions to determine this year’s recipient of the Sid Waddell Trophy.

As defending champion, Cool Hand will take to the stage this evening against the winner of the first match of the tournament, as he bids to make the last 32 for the sixth time in seven years.

There are also two other round one ties tonight, with a European Championship finalist and a former Players Championship Finals runner up in action.

Here’s what to look forward to on day one of the 2025 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.

Humphries awaits winner of Tricole v Comito

The first game of the 2025 Paddy Power World Darts Championship sees Thibault Tricole take on Joe Comito.

Tricole returns to the Ally Pally for a second straight year, having made round two last time. After claiming his Tour Card at the start of the year, arguably the biggest win of his 2024 came when he defeated Gerwyn Price 6-4 at the Players Championship Finals last month.

Comito is making his World Darts Championship debut, after producing some excellent stuff on the final weekend of the 2024 DartPlayers Australia season.

The winner will be sticking around, as they take on World Champion Humphries later the same night in the first round two tie. Like last year, Cool Hand comes into this off the back of winning the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, and also won the World Matchplay earlier on in the year.

Can he continue his excellent record at the Palace? Or will one of Tricole or Comito produce an astonishing upset?

Wattimena and Huybrechts involved in other matches

Before the world number one takes to the stage, there are two other round one matches that will take place.

Jermaine Wattimena, who made the European Championship final this year, takes on Stefan Bellmont. This will be Wattimena’s 11th straight appearance at the Worlds, while Bellmont will be the first Swiss player to play at Ally Pally.

Wattimena has never made it past the third round of the World Darts Championship, but has been extremely good on the Euro Tour, making three quarter finals in 2024. Can he get his campaign off to a strong start? Or will Bellmont condemn him to a second straight round one exit? The winner plays James Wade tomorrow afternoon.

The final round one game sees a clash between Kim Huybrechts and Keane Barry. Both are tour card holders, but Barry is an international qualifier due to winning his spot via the Development Tour Order of Merit.

This will be the 14th straight occasion that Belgium’s Huybrechts has played at this event, with just one quarter final to show for it. Barry, from the Republic of Ireland, has a similarly poor record. This will be his sixth consecutive World Darts Championship, but has only made it to round two.

However, Dynamite might be feeling confident going into his match with The Hurricane. Barry has won all four matches they’ve played, including a 10-6 victory at this year’s UK Open. This will be the first time they’ve met in set play though, so can that record continue, or will Huybrechts turn the tables? The winner plays Gerwyn Price tomorrow night.

2025 Paddy Power World Darts Championship Day One Schedule of Play

Sunday 15 December (1900 GMT)

3x Round One, 1x Round Two

Thibault Tricole v Joe Comito (R1)

Jermaine Wattimena v Stefan Bellmont (R1)

Kim Huybrechts v Keane Barry (R1)

Luke Humphries v Tricole/Comito (R2)