Littler Survives Scare as Humphries Advances at World Masters
MILTON KEYNES, 31 January 2026 – Luke Littler edged through a dramatic first-round tie at the Winmau World Masters on Friday night, surviving a match dart to defeat Mike De Decker 3-2. The defending champion, Luke Humphries, enjoyed a more straightforward passage, beating Dave Chisnall 3-1 as the tournament got underway at the Arena MK.
Friday Night Drama in Milton Keynes
The opening day of the Winmau World Masters 2026 provided high drama, particularly in the clash between top seed Luke Littler and Belgium’s Mike De Decker. Littler, who has dominated the sport since his 2024 World Championship breakthrough, found himself 2-1 down before mounting a comeback. He eventually sealed victory in a deciding set, having saved a match dart from De Decker in the penultimate leg. Meanwhile, world champion Luke Humphries dispatched Dave Chisnall 3-1 in a confident start to his title defence. Other results from the evening session saw Luke Woodhouse whitewash Martin Schindler 3-0 and Ross Smith overcome Jimmy van Schie.
Key First Round Results & Upcoming Fixtures
| Match (First Round) | Result |
|---|---|
| Luke Littler (Eng) vs Mike De Decker (Bel) | 3-2 |
| Luke Humphries (Eng) vs Dave Chisnall (Eng) | 3-1 |
| Martin Schindler (Ger) vs Luke Woodhouse (Eng) | 0-3 |
| Ross Smith (Eng) vs Jimmy van Schie (Ned) | 3-0 |
| Saturday 31 January – Afternoon Session (1300 GMT) | |
| Damon Heta (Aus) vs Chris Dobey (Eng) | Round Two |
| Gary Anderson (Sco) vs James Wade (Eng) | Round Two |
Tournament Progresses to Second Round
The victory for Littler sets up a potential path deep into the tournament, though he will be aware of the need for improvement after his nervy start. Humphries, meanwhile, will look to build momentum. The action continues on Saturday 31 January with the afternoon session at 1pm GMT, featuring four second-round matches. The stand-out ties see Australia’s Damon Heta take on Chris Dobey, and the all-British clash between veteran Scot Gary Anderson and England’s James Wade. All matches in the second round are the best of seven sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Winmau World Masters?
The Winmau World Masters is a major televised darts tournament on the PDC calendar. The 2026 edition is being held at the Arena MK in Milton Keynes, England.
When does Luke Littler play next?
Following his first-round win, Luke Littler has progressed to the second round. His next opponent and match time will be confirmed following the conclusion of the remaining first-round matches.
How can I watch the World Masters?
The tournament is being broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK. International viewers can check local listings or subscribe to PDC’s streaming service, PDCTV.