The opening phase of the Darts World Championship has set remarkable records this year. As of now, 95 matches have taken place within 13 days at Alexandra Palace. The intensity and competitiveness of the tournament have been underscored by a range of fascinating statistics.
Record-Breaking Player Exits
A striking highlight is the number of seeded players eliminated early. Seventeen out of 32 seeded participants have already exited the tournament. This marks a new record for early exits at the World Championship, illustrating the narrow margins at the top level of the sport.
Top Contenders Remain
Despite the chaos among seeded players, some heavyweights are still in contention. Defending champion Luke Littler aims to retain his title, while former winners like Luke Humphries and three-time champion Michael van Gerwen are also key players to watch. Furthermore, rising star Gian van Veen has emerged as a serious contender.
Gian van Veen’s Impressive Performance
The reigning European champion has the highest average in the tournament so far. As the competition progresses into its next phase after Christmas, van Veen is recognized as one of the potential outsiders for the grand prize of £1 million.
Statistical Highlights from the Tournament
- Total Darts Thrown: 45,552 across 1,486 legs.
- Maximum Scores (180s): 678, on track for a historic total.
- Highest Finishes: Multiple players achieved a maximum finish of 170.
Top Performers in 180s
The leaderboard for maximum scores features both well-known players and emerging talent:
- Justin Hood – 16 scores
- Connor Scutt – 16 scores
- Gary Anderson – 15 scores
- Danny Noppert – 15 scores
- Gian van Veen, Dave Chisnall – 13 scores each
Highest Match Averages
The current highest match average belongs to Gian van Veen, who achieved 108.28 against Alan Soutar. Other notable averages include:
- Gary Anderson – 105.41 against Connor Scutt
- Justin Hood – 103.01 against Danny Noppert
- William O’Connor – 102.36 against Krzysztof Kciuk
- Danny Noppert – 102.27 against Justin Hood
Overall Tournament Averages
- Gian van Veen: 103.32
- Justin Hood: 101.97
- Danny Noppert: 100.08
Best Finishing Percentages
The top finishers indicate solid performance trends:
- Damon Heta: 56.41%
- Wesley Plaisier: 55.56%
- Ryan Searle, Luke Littler: 54.55% each
With 31 matches still to play before the final on January 3, the World Championship promises more excitement and statistics to break.
