Day Seven at the 2025 Paddy Power World Darts Championship saw the return to the Alexandra Palace stage of last year’s finalist Luke Littler. The Nuke was one of two players to come within a dart of triggering the second Paddy Power £180,000 payout, as Damon Heta also missed double 12 in the final leg of the night.

Today sees two more sessions of action, all of which are round two ties. It promises to be an exciting day for the Alexandra Palace crowds.

Cullen v Nijman has the potential to dazzle in the afternoon

It’s been a tough year for Joe Cullen, of that there’s no doubt. He’s struggled for form on the board, which has likely not been helped by issues away from it.

What better place to get back on track, though? He’s made the last 16 of this event on three occasions, including the last two years in a row. The scene of some of his best performances, albeit in defeat at times, should provide some good feelings and hopefully some of his best darts.

However, it’s not going to be easy. Nijman is a lot of people’s dark horse for this tournament.

It’s been a productive year for the young Dutchman, picking up a first Pro Tour title and qualifying for the Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals. His performances at the Grand Slam, putting together the highest ever average in the group stage, didn’t actually lead to any wins but showed the levels he has.

Nijman overcame Cameron Carolissen in an absolute thriller in Round One and will come into this encounter with the Rockstar full of confidence.

Also in the afternoon session, we see four other players for the first time due to the slight anomaly of Ian White’s walkover in Round One. The other three are;

Ryan Searle, who takes on Matt Campbell in the first match of the day.

Dirk van Duijvenbode taking on Madars Razma.

Ritchie Edhouse up against the aforementioned Ian White.

The return of two-time World Champion Gary Anderson headlines the evening session

Despite Callan Rydz’s fantastic performance in round one, with the highest average of the tournament so far, there’s only one place to start with the evening session.

Two-time, back-to-back champion of the world, Gary Anderson. The Scotsman has been in sparkling form this year, looking back to his very best. Two wins on the Pro Tour, as well as a first Euro Tour title for 10 years have shown the form is there, but we haven’t quite seen it translate to big results on the biggest stages.

Will the biggest stage of them all bring about a first major title since 2018?

He starts against Jeffrey De Graff who was impressive himself in Round One. He despatched darling of the Alexandra Palace crowd, Rashad Sweeting, with a very professional 3-1 victory. Can he stop the Flying Scotsman’s dreams at the first hurdle?

Elsewhere in the evening session we see Martin Schindler, Ross Smith and Dimitri van den Bergh get their 2025 Paddy Power World Darts Championship campaigns underway.

Schindler will be up against it against a seemingly back to his best Callan Rydz, coming into this off the back of the 107.06 average in Round One.

Ross Smith will be a heavy favourite against Paolo Nebrida, who has already upset the odds once against Jim Williams.

The final game of the day sees van den Bergh taking on Dylan Slevin, after he defeated compatriot Willie O’Connor on Friday.

2025 Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Sunday December 22

Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)

4x Second Round

Ryan Searle v Matt Campbell

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Madars Razma

Joe Cullen v Wessel Nijman

Ritchie Edhouse v Ian White

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

4x Second Round

Martin Schindler v Callan Rydz

Ross Smith v Paolo Nebrida

Gary Anderson v Jeffrey de Graaf

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Dylan Slevin