Tag: City

Inglewood people mover gets $1-billion commitment from federal officials

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Federal officials have pledged up to $1 billion for an elevated train connecting SoFi Stadium and other venues to the Crenshaw Line, marking a major milestone for a marquee project that could open ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

The Federal Transit Administration commitment would finance half of the project’s $2-billion price tag.

To lock down the award, the city of Inglewood and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority must clear several more hurdles, including securing the other half of the money and making substantial progress to prepare the project for construction.

“It’s going to improve the fan experience,” said Inglewood Mayor James Butts, who has championed the project. “Fans, our residents and the employees deserve affordable and efficient transit options. This system will be good for the environment. It will again create jobs.”

Known as the Inglewood Transit Connector, the fully automated three-stop people mover will roll through Inglewood’s downtown and ferry fans to the city’s growing list of entertainment venues, which include the Kia Forum and the soon-to-be opened Inuit Dome. It’s expected to ease traffic during major events.

The city and Metro, which together form the project’s joint powers authority, say they have secured about 85% of the total $2-billion tab, counting the federal commitment. Although that commitment is not finalized, officials say it signals the viability of an ambitious project they aim to open before the 2028 Olympic Games.

“This federal support is a force multiplier on our momentum and an endorsement of all levels of government working together to benefit the public. We will get the next step done,” said Lisa Trifiletti, who is overseeing the project for the authority.

And although officials hope the people mover will be running by 2028, Federal Transit Administration documents show that it isn’t expected to open until 2030 and will cost $33 million a year to operate.

If the connector does open in time for the Olympics, Inglewood, a city of about 104,000, would be center stage, starting with the opening ceremonies at SoFi Stadium. Transit officials plan on creating a car-free Olympics and have been using events at SoFi, including Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, as a testing ground for not only the Olympics but how to deal with changing ridership patterns.

Backers say the elevated people mover and the tourists it brings will also help revitalize downtown Inglewood. But dozens of business will be forced to relocate to make room for it. And transportation experts question whether the people mover, which has increased in price by more than half a billion dollars over the last few years, is worth the cost and will deliver on its promises.

On a busy weekday, hundreds come through the door of Fiesta Martin Bar & Grill at Florence Avenue and Market Street. Esaul Martin, who runs the downtown Inglewood restaurant with his sister, is among those who will be forced to relocate.

“We don’t have a choice in what to do,” he said. The outside patio is teeming on weekends, and he has a steady local clientele.

Though his family owns several restaurants in town, he said, this is the most successful.

“Most people aren’t happy about it,” Martin said about other businesses nearby. “The options that they are giving us doesn’t come close. Either it doesn’t have parking, it’s too small, or the rent is four times this.”

Martin has hired a lawyer. But, he said, no relocation fee can replicate what he has created here. And he worries about his 45 employees.

Butts said change is hard, but the relocation packages are generous.

“This is major progress in the evolution of the city. Things are not going to be the way they are,” he said. “The benefits of this project far outweigh the angst of displacement, because everyone in Inglewood wins.”

Transit experts say the other big winners are people like Rams owner Stan Kroenke.

The $5-billion SoFi Stadium, home to the Rams and Chargers, opened in 2020. It had bypassed the lengthy environmental review process typically required in California, which would have quantified the traffic, pollution and noise that would come with a 70,000-seat stadium. Often, the developer must mitigate those impacts.

Instead, the project was approved six weeks after it was announced.

“There is definitely a good case to be made that at least there should be some financial contribution from the stadium owners,” said Jacob Wasserman, a research project manager at UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies. “It is going to serve the customers there who pay money to go see events and games. All transit serves businesses, and it’s a public service, but I think that this is disproportionately focused on these event venues.”

Butts said providing transportation is the job of municipalities.

The authority estimates that the people mover will have 4 million boardings in 2028 and nearly 8 million by 2078, which Wasserman said is likely overly optimistic.

Environmental studies show regular weekdays will be much quieter, bringing 414 passengers during peak hours and carrying 11,450 riders the hour after games.

Three pre-qualified teams are now preparing bids for the project, and the authority expects to choose one this summer.

Is it worth it?

James Moore, founding director of the USC Transportation Engineering Program, said it probably isn’t. He pointed to the half billion dollars it cost to connect the Oakland Airport to BART, which, he said, ended up having no measurable effect on either airport traffic or BART ridership.

“The bus was doing just fine,” he said. “If the goal is to connect riders from the event generator to the rail line, this is an expensive way to do it.”

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Rachel Uranga

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January 8, 2024
Opinion: This Supreme Court case from California could ease housing shortages everywhere

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On Jan. 9, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of Californian George Sheetz, who applied for a permit to put a manufactured house on his land in El Dorado County and got hit with a $23,420 traffic mitigation fee. Objecting to the lack of any connection between the dollar amount and his family’s actual impact on traffic in the area, Sheetz paid the fee but turned to the legal system. Sheetz vs. County of El Dorado, California, addresses just a small piece of the state’s housing crisis. Nonetheless, it will matter for millions of people unable to find affordable homes here and in many other states.

When “impact fees” are unmoored from the increased costs a city or county will incur because of a new house or development, the fees can do more than present someone with an unfair bill — they can also reduce housing construction. In a country where a shortage of homes has led to sky-high prices, this matters more than you might think.

Developers should pay their fair share, of course. If construction fees fail to cover the costs of the increased public services required by new development, elected officials and voters turn to other means to cover or avoid those costs. They may impose growth restrictions or other exclusionary zoning policies to block the building of new homes rather than accept projects that lead to higher taxes or degraded services.

We see pervasive evidence of this happening when localities adopt rules such as single-family zoning, minimum lot-size requirements and aesthetic requirements that ensure that only expensive housing, which generates higher property taxes, can be built.

Properly set impact fees offer a way for development to pay its way, and they reduce political pressure against necessary growth. Local studies have found that appropriately set fees are associated with increased construction in suburban areas.

But when fees are set at arbitrarily high levels, they disincentivize new home building and add to the country’s housing affordability challenges, causing strain for renters and new home buyers.

In 2013, the Supreme Court held that all permit fees must have an essential connection to the actual impact of a development on city or county services, and a roughly proportional price tag. This sensibly reduces the risk that fees will choke off development.

In some states, such as Florida, jurisprudence goes even further, requiring that fees fund only infrastructure that serves the specific developments they were levied on. Not coincidentally, Florida has seen its population grow more than twice as fast as the country as a whole, reflecting its openness to new homes and relatively fair prices compared with much of the rest of the country.

But in other states, including California, Maryland, Washington and Arizona, courts have carved out an exception to the Supreme Court’s proportionality principle, allowing higher fees if they are set by legislation. Sheetz’s case will test whether that exception is constitutional.

Part of the rationale for the carve-out is that voters have a remedy against excessive assessments at the ballot box. In theory, they can vote out the lawmakers who are responsible.

However, any claim that voters can and will actually do this is dubious. Housing developers are a small share of any electorate. Future home buyers or renters — those who need municipalities to incentivize, not discourage, home building — may not even vote or live in the jurisdiction when the fees are determined. On the other hand, the people who do vote are likely to be those who already own homes nearby, and they tend to resist growth: Their property increases in value if high fees keep the housing supply low.

The housing affordability crisis is real. Californians in particular should understand the simple calculus of supply and demand that is exacerbating homelessness and causing seven cities (or metro areas) in the state to rank among the 10 most expensive in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. When and where state courts allow local politicians to cater to their wealthiest constituents, charge exorbitant impact fees and otherwise keep out new homes, the situation won’t improve.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the El Dorado County fees in the first half of 2024. The legal case that all impact fees, no matter who sets them, should be subject to the same conditions is strong. And during a nationwide housing crisis, the economic case against state and local practices that worsen housing affordability and impede needed housing production is even stronger.

Charles Gardner is an attorney and research fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Emily Hamilton is a director of Mercatus’ Urbanity Project.

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Charles Gardner and Emily Hamilton

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January 8, 2024
The Verdict: Have Arsenal run out of ideas?

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Sky Sports’ Gary Cotterill and Ben Grounds analyse Arsenal’s worrying form under Mikel Arteta as they crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round to Liverpool after a 2-0 defeat.

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January 7, 2024
Homelessness is down in South L.A. But nearly 13,000 remain unhoused

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A string of tents and makeshift shelters sat for years west of the 110 Freeway, across the street from an elementary school in the Vermont Vista neighborhood.

Then, one day in February, workers cleared the encampment, which stretched about four blocks from Colden Avenue to Century Boulevard, moving dozens of people indoors.

Today, a single tent remains, along with about five people living in a pedestrian tunnel under the freeway.

Longtime residents said the neighborhood is quiet again, and the sidewalks are clean.

“It was an ugly sight, but now things are better,” said Andrea Ceron, 59. “We still deal with other problems, like police chases and prostitution.”

Intake worker Maria Ajtun, right, takes down information from a client for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program at All Peoples Community Center in Los Angeles.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

South L.A. has been a rare bright spot amid the city’s homelessness crisis.

While homelessness increased in other parts of the city, South L.A. had 10% fewer unhoused people than the previous year, according to the annual point-in-time count conducted last January.

Officials and service providers attributed the drop to the hard work they have put in for years coming to fruition, with the help of funding infusions, in an area where most residents are Latino or Black and many live below the poverty line.

Mayor Karen Bass’ signature homelessness initiative, Inside Safe, has also made a dent, with more encampment cleanups in South L.A. — including the one in Vermont Vista — than in any other part of the city.

While Inside Safe has cleared long-standing encampments, most who lived in them are still in temporary housing or are back on the street. The problem remains vast, with nearly 13,000 unhoused people in South L.A., according to the point-in-time count.

Bass took office in December 2022, so the progress made by Inside Safe isn’t reflected in the 10% drop from the point-in-time count. But her supporters say the program, as well as her sense of urgency on homelessness, is setting up South L.A. for more success.

Homelessness outreach workers from 2nd Call visit Olga V. Romero, who lives in her car with her 23-year-old son.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

City Councilmember Curren Price, who represents large parts of South L.A., credited the drop in homelessness to increased collaboration among elected officials and a willingness to try different strategies. Bass, he said, has “set a very positive and inclusive tone” and worked well with county supervisors.

But backsliding is all too easy, he warned.

“That 10% is a nice number to throw around, but we know it could go back up easily, and so we can’t get complacent,” he said. “We know we have to keep identifying the financial resources, because these properties need to be built and services need to be provided, and if that stops, then all of our efforts are going to be for nothing.”

Nearly 70% of South L.A. residents are renters, and the median household income is $47,692, compared with more than $76,000 citywide.

Amid rising rents, inflation and the end of pandemic renter protections, more people are at risk of becoming homeless as eviction cases work their way through the courts.

“A lot of folks are one check away from being in real trouble,” Price said. “They can’t make the car payment, they can’t pay their rent or house payment, kids need clothes, food, medicine, etc. So it’s a very delicate situation that we’re in.”

Karen McGee of 2nd Call checks in with a woman sleeping outside a McDonald’s in South Los Angeles.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Karen McGee, a homelessness outreach worker with the South L.A. nonprofit 2nd Call, said many of the people she helps are families or senior citizens who couldn’t keep up with rising rents. Most are desperate to get off the streets.

“They want any help they can get,” she said.

In February, in addition to Vermont Vista, Inside Safe cleared a large encampment at 88th Street and Western Avenue, where people lived near a vacant lot surrounded by a chain-link fence. Since then, no tents have reappeared at the site.

Many of the large encampments in South L.A. targeted by Inside Safe were along the 110 Freeway’s underpasses and overpasses. A few tents have returned, but as of December, most areas remained clear.

“We had to rely on the police,” said Mary Action, 86, who lives near the former Vermont Vista encampment. “It was a real mess. There was drug use, fighting and a shooting.”

Chontae Peters, right, who is living in her car, reacts as Teanna Mosqueda, an ambassador with 2nd Call, provides her with information on how to get help.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Valentin Gonzalez, another Vermont Vista resident, said that for two weeks, a homeless man lived up in a tree outside his home.

“I ended up cutting the branches off to get him to leave,” said Gonzalez, 61. “It was really bad here.”

Getting people off the streets is an arduous and time-consuming process. Sometimes, outreach workers speak with unhoused people frequently to earn their trust so they will accept help.

“We go to the same areas, whether the encampments are there or not,” McGee said. “Sometimes we show up, and people have either moved or got the help they needed.”

The South L.A. planning area, as defined by the point-in-time count and other homelessness measures, includes not only neighborhoods like Crenshaw and Watts but cities such as Compton, Lynwood and Paramount.

The area is riddled with social problems that include overcrowded housing, gang violence, drug use and inadequate access to healthcare, some of it with roots in discriminatory practices such as redlining. Service providers have historically had a hard time getting funding.

“You have organizations in the Westside and Hollywood that have been around for decades and have strong boards and these private funding networks that support them as well,” said Katie Hill, deputy director of HOPICS, the lead homeless services agency in the area. “We hardly have any private fundraising at all to help us with this issue, because the community doesn’t have money.”

But the $1.2-billion city bond measure Proposition HHH and the quarter-percent county sales tax Measure H have brought an infusion of cash.

The additional funding helped boost HOPICS’ annual budget to $105 million. About 15% of the money goes to subcontractors who provide homeless services, and at least 30% goes to financial assistance for low-income families.

HOPICS has expanded its payroll to more than 430 employees and increased its outreach teams, which provide services that include housing and street medicine, from four members to 22.

Juana Romero, who works on a HOPICS outreach team, attributes the decrease in homelessness to this street-level expansion, as well as to programs like Inside Safe.

“It’s all very helpful,” she said. “The resources are there to pull people off the streets and bring them inside.”

Hundreds of new public housing units have been built, or are in the process of being built, in South L.A. And residents are being prioritized for permanent housing over people from outside the area, said Veronica Lewis, director of HOPICS.

Since 2015, the number of emergency shelters in the South L.A. area has increased from 60 to 205, and permanent supportive housing projects went from 20 to 71, according to city records.

City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, whose district includes portions of South L.A., said that when the Measure H money arrived, nonprofits that had been working on homelessness in the area were ready to step up.

“When there’s availability of resources, you have people who know what to do with those resources and are prepared to carry it out,” he said.

Harris-Dawson added that residents of South L.A. are more supportive of housing developments than those from other parts of L.A. County.

“And then I think our social service agencies are pretty strong and are doing a really good job of keeping track of folks that are on the street, so that when units do become available, they can find them and get them in,” he said.

Programs that prevent people from falling into homelessness have also been vital in South L.A.

Children play at the All Peoples Community Center, which provides various services for South Los Angeles residents such as rental assistance, financial coaching and tax preparation. It is one of several in South L.A. that has played a key role in reducing homelessness.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

At All Peoples Community Center in Historic South-Central, about 90% of clients are in need of emergency rental assistance, said Julio Ramos, director of the Family Resource Center, one of 16 centers that help low-income families, many of whom are on the verge of homelessness. The centers, which are run by nonprofits and receive city funding, also provide financial education and other services.

“We’re getting clients that are 25 months behind on rent,” Ramos said. “Utilities as well, especially when they’re included with the rent.”

Last year, the City Council approved funding for four additional centers.

Neery Montes, 40, who has two sons, was in a panic when she arrived at the All Peoples center last winter. She had lost her job at a bakery and was seven months behind on rent and utilities, owing about $9,600 for a small one-bedroom in South Los Angeles.

Nerry Montes recounts being threatened with eviction while seven months pregnant to a counselor at All Peoples Community Center.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Her new landlord was threatening to evict her and had raised her rent, despite the pandemic-related rental freeze and eviction moratoriums.

“It was a very difficult time for me,” she said. “I was dealing with anxiety and depression.”

Montes said she worried about ending up homeless, as she had been before, when she fled from her husband.

Case manager Jessica Sanabria-Rosales signed up Montes for several food programs as well as emergency rental assistance. Montes was able to stay in her apartment and pay off 83% of the past rent. The center created a payment plan for the balance.

With more outreach workers on the streets, the labor-intensive work of earning a homeless person’s trust continues.

As a HOPICS team stopped at the site of the former encampment in Vermont Vista, LeAndre Hewitt rode up on his bicycle.

Outreach Services coordinator Mychal Johnson had placed Hewitt, 34, in shelters several times. Each time, Hewitt, who has struggled with drug and mental health issues, was kicked out, Johnson said.

This time, in a first, Hewitt was initiating the conversation and requesting shelter.

The HOPICS workers found a spot for Hewitt at Safe Landing, an interim housing facility with beds and 24/7 clinical care that opened about a year ago.

The group discussed what to do with Hewitt’s bicycle, which didn’t fit in the van.

Finally, Hewitt threw his bike on the curb and hopped in the van.

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Ruben Vives

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January 7, 2024
‘Don’t question my integrity’ – Ange Postecolgou responds to Eric Dier speculation

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Ange Postecoglou insists Eric Dier’s absence from the Tottenham squad was due to injury and not related to reports of a possible move to Bayern Munich.

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January 5, 2024
Did ‘Salt Lake City’ Just Drop the Greatest Finale in Bravo History?

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Today on this special episode of Morally Corrupt, our Bravo avengers assemble to discuss what might have been one of the greatest finales in Housewives history—The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4, Episode 16. Rachel Lindsay, Jodi Walker, and Chelsea Stark-Jones give their initial reactions to this epic episode, debate the morality of having a secret finsta dedicated to taking down Jen Shah, break down the social media drama that followed, and more!

Host: Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Jodi Walker and Chelsea Stark-Jones
Producer: Devon Baroldi
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Rachel Lindsay

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January 5, 2024
Queen Mary, once a sinking white elephant, shows signs of remarkable revival

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The Queen Mary has for years been a landmark for the city of Long Beach, an iconic ocean liner that acted as a majestic sentry at the port and a popular attraction for both tourists and locals.

But the aging ship has in recent years become more of a white elephant in need of millions of dollars in repairs just to stay afloat.

Years of mounting financial woes, a pandemic shutdown and much-needed repairs made for an uncertain future for the Queen Mary. Financial audits showed the ship was running a deficit, and at least one report warned that it was at risk of sinking if it didn’t get millions of dollars in repairs.

But now, the 90-year-old ship seems to be headed for smoother sailing, with financial records showing it is finally turning a profit for the city of Long Beach.

On the ocean liner that has been turned into a hotel and tourist attraction, rooms are being booked, visitors are touring the ship, and the Queen Mary’s operator said the number of visitors has been outpacing the figures from before the COVID pandemic, signaling a new, hopefully better, era for the famous ship docked in the Long Beach Harbor.

But the recent financial turnaround will do little in the short term to address the hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs needed to keep the ship afloat and open to the public.

The Queen Mary closed for more than three years because of the pandemic, and stayed closed due to much-needed repairs. But once the ship reopened in April — this time under the city’s direction instead of a leaseholder — visitors began to return in greater numbers. The ship has about 200 rooms and several large halls that can be booked for weddings and other gatherings.

“Even though it’s been here since 1967, it was kind of a relaunch — a new Queen Mary if you will,” said Steve Caloca, managing director of the ship under the contracted operator, Evolution.

It was a slow reopening, with just over a dozen rooms booked in the Queen Mary in all of April. But financial records obtained by The Times show the number of bookings quickly multiplied in the coming weeks.

By July, more than 4,300 room nights were booked in the Queen Mary, and the ship’s operator has seen at least 3,730 bookings a month since.

“We reopened after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus, which is nice, and we’re making money, which is nice,” Caloca said.

The Queen Mary was still operating in a deficit during the first two months it reopened, according to financial information provided by the city. By June, however, the ship’s revenue began to outpace its expenses.

According to city records, between June and October of last year, the ship generated more than $12.6 million in revenue and more than $3 million in profits.

It’s not just rooms in the ship’s hotel that are bringing in visitors and their cash either, Caloca said.

“We were getting the word out that there are things to do here,” he said. “It’s not just a beautiful ship.”

The Queen Mary began to offer old and new tours of the 1,019.5-foot ship, and hosting events to draw in locals, like $10 entry fees on Tuesdays, he said.

A game room and revamped observation bar are there for overnight and day guests, and the ship also rolled out the commodore’s office, where officers are available to answer guests’ questions about the ship.

“We asked, what can guests do now that they’re staying at the Queen Mary, what kind of content can we provide?” Caloca said. “We’re able to create things for people to do here in Long Beach.”

But the ship has also needed, and continues to need, repairs and maintenance, he said.

Much of the work done on the ship has centered on keeping the ship safe for visitors, as well as regular upkeep like painting, new flooring and lighting, and replacing new boilers and electrical transformers on the ship.

For the Queen Mary, which has been in dire need of repairs and work for years, turning a profit in 2023 is a significant turnabout in its recent history.

Financial audits of the ship obtained by The Times shows that from 2007 to 2009, the Queen Mary continued to see losses of more than $31 million.

A profit could mean the ship could get some much-needed TLC to keep it financially, and literally, afloat.

“When we get excited about the money, it’s not that we made a profit,” Caloca said. “It’s that we made money, but now we can put it back on the ship that we love so much.”

The city of Long Beach took over the Queen Mary in 2021, after worries that the aging ship was not being maintained. One 2017 study of the ship found that it needed up to $289 million in upgrades and renovations, including much-needed work to keep parts of it from flooding.

Court documents and inspection reports also found that it needed $23 million to keep it from capsizing.

Making the ship a profit center for the city has been a challenge for several lease operators — including the Walt Disney Co. — that have been hired to operate the ship over the last few decades.

In 2005, Queen’s Seaport Development Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and was found by Long Beach to owe $3.4 million in back rent. In 2009, the hotel was also at about a 50% occupancy rate.

Now, the profits coming in can also be geared toward new activities and entertainment to keep attracting guests into the Queen Mary, Caloca said.

This summer, operators hope to reopen a movie theater at the ship, which can also double as a lecture hall and host other events, Caloca said. Another 100 rooms are expected to open by April.

“It’s not just, ‘Let’s fix it so it doesn’t break,” Caloca said. “It’s also, ‘Let’s fix it and make it so people want to come.’”

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Salvador Hernandez

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January 4, 2024
World Darts Championship: Luke Littler’s dreams ended by Luke Humphries in sensational final

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Luke Littler defeated 7-4 by world No 1 Luke Humphries in final; Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday February 1 as Cardiff kicks off the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs on Thursday May 23 at London’s O2

By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London

Last Updated: 04/01/24 2:31am

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Check out the best moments from the 2024 World Darts Championship

Check out the best moments from the 2024 World Darts Championship

Luke Littler’s World Darts Championship dreams were finally ended by world No 1 Luke Humphries in a sensational final at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night.

Humphries fought back from 4-2 down to win five consecutive sets and claim his maiden world title 7-4 to make it four major victories in a row following his success at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals in recent months.

“I’ll draw a lot from this and this will be a moment that will never be forgotten,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “I don’t want to say that I’ve completed darts but everything that you want on the resume I’ve done now, so now it’s now about motivating yourself to do more and more.

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Humphries said he couldn’t ask for more after claiming the World Darts Championship title

Humphries said he couldn’t ask for more after claiming the World Darts Championship title

World Darts Championship Final

Luke Humphries 7-4 Luke Littler

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Luke Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Luke Littler 7-4 in the World Darts Championship final

Luke Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Luke Littler 7-4 in the World Darts Championship final

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Littler was pleased with his incredible run to the final, despite defeat to Humphries

Littler was pleased with his incredible run to the final, despite defeat to Humphries

Humphries may have been the champion, but Littler received a hero’s reception at the end of the match and he is the story of the tournament.

Life will never be the same for Littler, who now has a global profile, as his exploits have transcended the world of darts.

He may have fallen just short of achieving sporting immortality, but this is just the beginning for Littler and his time will surely come, with many tipping him to become a multiple world champion

The 16-year-old from Warrington said: “It has been unbelievable. The one negative was I lost too many legs with my throw so Luke could break me.

“That was the only negative, I just couldn’t hold my own throw and I didn’t win. Every game has been good but that one has just really annoyed me, especially the three missed to keep it going.

“That’s what the crowd wanted but fair play to Luke, he deserves it.”

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Humphries started the better by capitalising on a slow start from Littler to take the opening set 3-1 with a 99.2 average despite eight missed darts at doubles.

It didn’t take ‘The Nuke’ long to discover his best in the second set, coming from 2-1 down by producing two 12-dart legs with the aid of a spectacular 142 checkout and a ‘Shanghai’ 120 finish.

2011-12 – Luke Humphries wins £225 from 16 Development Tour events and soon after stops playing darts.

18 months later, a friend was a player short in his Super League team and Luke steps in to help out.

Wednesday night: Humphries wins the PDC World Championship and is world No 1.

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Littler hit checkouts of 142 and 120 checkouts to win the second set

Littler hit checkouts of 142 and 120 checkouts to win the second set

The third set also went the distance with ‘Cool Hand’ edging it from 2-0 down to regain the upper hand with a 116 checkout to take it, but the Warrington teenage sensation struck back to secure the fourth set 3-1 and restore parity with a 99 average and an impressive 47 per cent on the doubles.

It was 2-2 in sets and 9-9 in legs with nothing to separate the two players.

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Littler took out this amazing 122 checkout to the despair of Humphries

Littler took out this amazing 122 checkout to the despair of Humphries

For the first time in the match, the player who started the set won it after nine break of throws in 22 legs, with World Youth Champion Littler going ahead for the first time in the match before wrapping up the fifth set, averaging a ton.

The new world No 1 found himself under pressure here as Littler made it nine legs from the last 11 to open up a two-set advantage at 4-2.

Humphries reeled in his second 170 finish in a matter of days in a seventh set which was full of carnage.

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Humphries took out ‘The Big Fish’ in the final

Humphries took out ‘The Big Fish’ in the final

Littler responded with a third ton-plus finish of the final – a 122 checkout – which Wayne Mardle described as “spiteful, dirty, nasty!” in the commentary box, before Humphries survived a set dart with Littler missing a crucial double 2 for a 5-2 lead.

The three-time major winner immediately capitalised on double 14 to reduce the deficit.

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Could this have been the moment that Littler’s grip on the World Championship title slipped away?

Could this have been the moment that Littler’s grip on the World Championship title slipped away?

And Humphries piled in a classy 121 checkout on the bull to make it back-to-back sets to get back on level terms with a 114.17 set average, but it also coincided with Littler dropping off.

The 28-year-old Newbury thrower threw back-to-back 108 checkouts to lead 2-0 in the ninth set and although the teenager battled back to level up, a 180 to start the set and a 36 checkout enabled Humphries to win the leg and set in 11 darts.

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Humphries also sunk this 121 checkout in a sensational final

Humphries also sunk this 121 checkout in a sensational final

A relentless Humphries made it four sets on the spin as he took full control of the final to go within a set of the title, despite Littler reeling in a ‘Big Fish’ of his own.

However, it was ‘Cool Hand’ who got his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy to become the 12th different PDC World Champion after pinning double 8 for the match and then sinking to his knees in pure joy.

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Humphries pinned back-to-back 108 checkouts

Humphries pinned back-to-back 108 checkouts

Talking about Littler, Humphries said: “I’m not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke has been an unbelievable talent.

“Not just about the dartboard, he has been fantastic with all the media that has come about with him and he took the defeat so well.

“He said go on and celebrate. You will never see another down-to-earth 16-year-old kid like him who is just something else.

“I really hope he’s in the Premier League because, if he don’t want to play in it fair enough, but I think he’d be a pleasure to play alongside this year.

“He’s one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.”

Humphries’ 103.67 average is the highest ever recorded in a match of 45+ legs

His win included 23 180s and five 100+ checkouts

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Littler nailed his own 170 checkout in an incredible final

Littler nailed his own 170 checkout in an incredible final

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Watch highlights of Humphries’ thrilling win over Littler in the World Championship final

Watch highlights of Humphries’ thrilling win over Littler in the World Championship final

How the world of social media reacted to Humphries win…

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Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday February 1 as Cardiff kicks off the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs on Thursday May 23. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW

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January 3, 2024
Luke Littler admits it’s ‘beyond believable’ he has reached World Darts Championship final

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Luke Littler says he must “stay composed and try and get over that line” when he takes on Luke Humphries in the final; watch the World Darts Championship final at 7.30pm on Wednesday – live on Sky Sports Darts

By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London

Last Updated: 03/01/24 12:17am

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The best of the action from the World Darts Championship semi-finals at Alexandra Palace

The best of the action from the World Darts Championship semi-finals at Alexandra Palace

Teenage sensation Luke Littler admits it’s “beyond believable” that he has reached the World Darts Championship final where he will face Luke Humphries.

Littler became the youngest player ever to reach the final when he defeated Rob Cross 6-2 with quite a bit to spare.

The 16-year-old, who is days away from his 17th birthday (Jan 21), now has a shot at claiming an historic place in the sport as he takes aim at the title at Alexandra Palace.

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The best moments from Littler’s remarkable semi-final win over Rob Cross

The best moments from Littler’s remarkable semi-final win over Rob Cross

Live World Darts Championship

January 3, 2024, 7:30pm

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He is now on the cusp of producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, which would rival Emma Raducanu’s US Open win in 2021.

“It’s not even sunk in yet,” said Littler. “I threw big averages on the floor the past year and I’m happy to bring it on to the big stage.

“I’ve got to stay focused, be Luke Littler and relax. It’s beyond believable. I only set a goal of winning one game and coming back after Christmas and I’m still standing.

“I can’t imagine lifting the trophy. I have to just beat whoever is in front of me. I’ve got to stay mature, got to be myself and keep myself to myself.

“I’ve got to stay composed and try and get over that line.”

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Luke Humphries booked his place in the final after whitewashing Scott Williams and he will now face teenager Littler

Luke Humphries booked his place in the final after whitewashing Scott Williams and he will now face teenager Littler

Littler has knocked out two former World Champions in Raymond van Barneveld and Cross, and now he has he sights set on holding aloft The Sid Waddell Trophy when he faces the best player on planet darts in Humphries.

“I’ve just got to beat whoever is in front of me tomorrow. It’s not even sunk in yet,” he said. “This World Championship I’ve got nothing to lose, it’s just a free hit and here I am still standing. There’s no pressure, I just take everything in my stride.

“I’ve got to believe in myself, believe in my ability and so far, so good.”

Littler, who revealed he received pre-match messages from footballers Luke Shaw and Rio Ferdinand, only qualified for the tournament by winning the World Youth Championship in November and his fairy tale run has put the PDC under pressure to hand him a place in the forthcoming Premier League.

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Humphries was in scary form after he hit six-ton-plus finishes in his semi-final win

Humphries was in scary form after he hit six-ton-plus finishes in his semi-final win

Humphries delivered one of the best ever performances at the tournament as he whitewashed Michael van Gerwen’s conqueror Scott Williams 6-0.

“The way he’s played, I’ve seen it many times,” Humphries said of Littler. “When you come up on this stage it can be a lot tougher but he’s just proved he’s got a lot of bottle.

“Nothing is going to faze him. If he plays like he did tonight, tomorrow is not going to faze him at all, so I will probably have to play the game of my life.

“I will probably have to play like that again to stand a chance of beating him.

“I know what’s in front of me and what the task is. I’ve got to play at my best tomorrow but I’m hoping I make him play his best as well and we give the fans hopefully one of the best World finals we have ever seen.”

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John Cross from The Mirror and ESPN’s Mark Ogden discuss Littler’s remarkable journey and compare him to various sporting 16-year-olds such Wayne Rooney

John Cross from The Mirror and ESPN’s Mark Ogden discuss Littler’s remarkable journey and compare him to various sporting 16-year-olds such Wayne Rooney

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Humphries went fishing for ‘The Big Fish’ during his whitewash win in the semi-finals

Humphries went fishing for ‘The Big Fish’ during his whitewash win in the semi-finals

Pundit Wayne Mardle admits Littler continues to perform beyond the highest level, calling his performances “magnificent”.

“He averages 106.05 in the biggest match of his life,” Mardle said. “The kid just takes it all in his stride. Absolutely magnificent.

“If you’re sat at home and witnessed that or are here, you’ve witnessed something utterly mind-boggling. A 16-year-old is in the final of the World Championship.”

Watch the World Darts Championship final at 7.30pm on January 3 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW

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January 2, 2024
Ross County 0-3 Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership Highlights

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January 2, 2024
World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen suffers shock exit to Scott Williams in quarter-finals

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Michael van Gerwen was stunned by Scott Williams in the World Darts Championship quarter-finals

Michael van Gerwen’s hopes of a fourth World Darts Championship title were dashed in stunning fashion by Scott Williams at the quarter-final stage on New Year’s Day.

Williams pulled off a sensational 5-3 scalp of Van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, punishing 27 missed darts at doubles from the three-time champion to set up a meeting with Luke Humphries.

World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Evening Results

Michael van Gerwen 3-5 Scott Williams

Luke Humphries 5-1 Dave Chisnall

Rob Cross, only former PDC world champion left and in the semi-finals for the first time since winning the title on debut

Luke Littler, 16 years old, in the semi-finals on his debut

Scott Williams in his first major semi-final

Luke Humphries, the pre-tournament favourite, into his first Ally Pally semi-final

Seasonal prize money prior to the World Championship: £32,750

Minimum prize money at the World Championship: £100,000

Scott Williams is in to the semi-finals and the world’s top 32

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Scott Williams produced one of the biggest shocks in World Darts Championship history by beating Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals

Scott Williams produced one of the biggest shocks in World Darts Championship history by beating Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals

Williams came charging out of the blocks by winning the opening set in straight legs, but ‘Mighty Mike’ took out 81 for back-to-back 11-darters to close out the second set 3-1 with a set average of 116.71 despite missing 12 darts at double.

Van Gerwen took out a magnificent 121 checkout before pinning double 16 to seize the initiative in the third set.

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Van Gerwen hits this magnificent 121 finish during his quarter-final clash against Williams

Van Gerwen hits this magnificent 121 finish during his quarter-final clash against Williams

However, the Dutchman threw in a stinker of a set, averaging just 78, and Williams railroaded it 3-0 to get back on level terms at 2-2.

Van Gerwen appeared to have fallen off a cliff when Lincolnshire showman Williams made it six legs on the spin to lead 3-2, but the three-time World Champion soon restored parity in three consecutive legs to stop the rot.

‘Shaggy’ punished more crucial mistakes from the world No 2 to seal the seventh set 3-1 and go within one of a sensational victory before taking the eighth 3-1 to secure a last-four meeting with either Luke Humphries or Dave Chisnall.

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Williams said he probably should have beaten Van Gerwen a bit easier after knocking out the pre-tournament favourite

Williams said he probably should have beaten Van Gerwen a bit easier after knocking out the pre-tournament favourite

“I just knocked the best player in the world out,” Williams told Sky Sports.

“He wasn’t the Michael van Gerwen we’ve seen over the last couple of games but that’s not my problem.

“I hit the doubles and probably should have won it a little bit easier. I’m absolutely loving it up there. I love a crowd.”

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Wayne Wardle was surprised at how ‘erratic’ Van Gerwen was during his loss

Wayne Wardle was surprised at how ‘erratic’ Van Gerwen was during his loss

Wayne Mardle called Williams’ win a “massive shock”, but also admitted he did a “number” on the Dutch ace.

“Michael van Gerwen normally loses to someone who is a big hitter already, a world champion or a major champion,” ‘Hawaii 501’ said.

“Scott Williams did a number on him. He was there to clean up when he had to clean up and he held it together so well.

“Even Luke Littler and Rob Cross are giving it… ‘WHAT!?’ What an opportunity for everyone left in the tournament.”

Michael van Gerwen missed 30 doubles in his first three games. He missed 27 against Scott Williams

52.4 per cent (33/63) – First 3 games

29.0 per cent (11/38) – vs Williams

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Luke Humphries made it through to the semi-finals with this magical 117 checkout

Luke Humphries made it through to the semi-finals with this magical 117 checkout

Williams will take on Humphries in the semi-finals after ‘Cool Hand’ thrashed Dave Chisnall 5-1 with a 103.50 average, a dozen 180s, 40 per cent on the doubles and a high checkout of 164.

The World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship winner made it 17 victories in a row to break new ground at Ally Pally.

“It felt strange to be the frontrunner for once,” said Humphries. “I have been used to a lot of comebacks for the last few days and it has just been nice to be me.

“It was nice to be in front and keep pushing hard and I didn’t relent. Chizzy played really well, he made it really tough for me.

“I haven’t been myself in the first couple of games. Tonight, we saw the form I have been showing in the last few majors.

“I played as well as I needed to.”

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Humphries thinks the Worlds is wide open after Van Gerwen’s exit to Williams

Humphries thinks the Worlds is wide open after Van Gerwen’s exit to Williams

How Littler set up Cross semi-final…

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A look back the best of the action from the afternoon session of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals

A look back the best of the action from the afternoon session of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals

World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Afternoon Results

Rob Cross 5-4 Chris Dobey

Luke Littler 5-1 Brendan Dolan

In the afternoon, Luke Littler’s amazing Alexandra Palace journey continued after he became the youngest semi-finalist ever after he beat Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the quarter-final.

‘The History Maker’ Dolan had beaten former World Champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson but could not compete with Littler, who finished with an average of 101.93 to thrill his adoring fans inside Ally Pally.

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All the best moments from Luke Littler in his quarter-final clash against Brendon Dolan

All the best moments from Luke Littler in his quarter-final clash against Brendon Dolan

“It feels unbelievable. I would never have thought I would have got to the semis on my debut year,” he said.

“Brendan was just another opponent in my way and I have brushed him aside and now I am into the semi-final.

“It’s going to take a lot to stop me, based on my performances so far. But it is about whatever Luke Littler turns up.

“I have got the ability to go all the way, if it’s not to be tomorrow night, it’s not to be.

“I know I have got a good chance and I have got a good feeling I could go all the way tomorrow.”

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Littler believes he is one of the best in the game at board management and he’s thinking about lifting the title

Littler believes he is one of the best in the game at board management and he’s thinking about lifting the title

He will meet Rob Cross for a spot in the final after ‘Voltage’ looked dead and buried when he was 4-0 down after barely 45 minutes as Chris Dobey played one of the matches of his life.

However, the off-stage break worked wonders for Cross as the former electrician sparked into life.

He reeled off four sets of his own and then took out 130 to seal a remarkable win but he will have to improve if he is stop the Littler train.

“Everyone loves an underdog story,” he said. “As the public and people looking at the game, everyone loves an underdog story.

“I am not being rude, I am on his side, I love an underdog story.

“It took a bit of pressure off me winning it first time as well.

“He’s fantastic and he deserves all the luck in the world, he is a nice young boy. Tomorrow we play darts, though, and I have to go down to business.”

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Cross came back from 4-0 down to Chris Dobey to complete a ‘darting miracle!’

Cross came back from 4-0 down to Chris Dobey to complete a ‘darting miracle!’

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The teenager was taking selfies after beating Brendan Dolan

The teenager was taking selfies after beating Brendan Dolan

What’s happening on semi-finals night at the World Darts Championship?

Luke Littler returns to the Ally Pally stage when he aims for a spot in the World Championship final

Littler will take on 2018 winner Cross in the first semi-final having already proven he is ready to compete on the biggest stage after taking out UK Open winner Andrew Gilding and his hero Raymond van Barneveld on his way to the last eight and he maintained that form against Dolan on New Year’s Day.

Cross produced one of the most memorable Alexandra Palace comebacks having gone 4-0 to Chris Dobey before reeling off four sets of his own and then taking out 130 to seal a famous win.

Live World Darts Championship

January 1, 2024, 7:00pm

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Luke Humphries will face Scott Williams in the second semi-final on Tuesday

Having knocked out three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, ‘Shaggy’ Scott Williams will take on ‘Cool Hand’ Luke Humphries as he continues his quest for a maiden Ally Pally title.

Humphries came into the tournament as the favourite after winning three of the last four majors but had endured a bumpy ride to the last eight, surviving a sudden death leg against Joe Cullen in the last round.

But he was back to his best in his quarter-final, dispatching Dave Chisnall 5-1.

The sport’s biggest event sees the remaining players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW

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January 1, 2024
Sunderland 2-0 Preston | Championship highlights

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Preston.

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January 1, 2024
The Verdict: Concerns build for Arsenal after disappointing Fulham defeat

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Gary Cotterill and Oliver Yew review Arsenal’s second consecutive defeat as they were beaten by Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.

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December 31, 2023
Decordova-Reid pounces on loose ball to put Fulham ahead

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Bobby Decordova-Reid gives Fulham a 2-1 lead over Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

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December 31, 2023
World Darts Championship: Luke Littler hammers Raymond van Barneveld to reach quarter-finals

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Watch all the best bits from Luke Littler’s superb performance over the doyen of Dutch darts Raymond van Barneveld

Watch all the best bits from Luke Littler’s superb performance over the doyen of Dutch darts Raymond van Barneveld

Teenager Luke Littler crushed his darting idol Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, where he will play Brendan Dolan.

The 16-year-old averaged 105.01, hit nine 180s to record a sensational victory over a legend in five-time World Champion, Van Barneveld.

“Unbelievable! My average has shown it, my double percentage has shown it – I don’t know what to say!”, Littler told Sky Sports.

“He (Van Barneveld) said ‘you can go all the way, I hope you can go all the way’. I said ‘thank you’ – he’s a true gentleman and I respect Raymond.”

“I fancy myself [to win the whole thing], I do fancy myself! Let’s just focus on Brendan [Dolan].”

World Darts Championship: Saturday Evening Results

Brendan Dolan 4-3 Gary Anderson

Raymond van Barneveld 1-4 Luke Littler

Luke Humphries 4-3 Joe Cullen

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Littler is blown away after beating his idol Van Barneveld and then reveals what he’ll do now to prepare for the quarter finals

Littler is blown away after beating his idol Van Barneveld and then reveals what he’ll do now to prepare for the quarter finals

In two of the three sets, that went to a deciding leg, Littler averaged over 110.

There have been only 19 ton-plus set averages in the whole tournament.

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Littler booked his place into the quarter finals in style. The 16-year-old declined ‘The Big Fish’ before returning for double 15 to knock out Van Barneveld

Littler booked his place into the quarter finals in style. The 16-year-old declined ‘The Big Fish’ before returning for double 15 to knock out Van Barneveld

‘The Nuke’ showed no signs of nerves as he won a rip-roaring first set 3-1 with a 103.8 average and 3/4 on the doubles.

The world youth champion was soon in dreamland after easing through the second set to strengthen his grip on the match for the loss of just two legs.

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Littler makes a dominant start against Van Barneveld by winning the first two sets in style

Littler makes a dominant start against Van Barneveld by winning the first two sets in style

Van Barneveld squandered two set darts in the next as Littler pounced to make it three without reply, averaging 110.68 in the set and 53 per cent on the doubles.

‘Barney’ held firm on double 6 to get off the mark in the fourth set and keep his hopes alive, but the teen star from Warrington stormed through to set up a meeting with Brendan Dolan by winning the deciding leg of the fifth set with a nerveless 130 set up shot before returning for double 15

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Littler hits tops, tops for a magical ton checkout against Van Barneveld

Littler hits tops, tops for a magical ton checkout against Van Barneveld

“It’s incredible beating one of my idols on the biggest stage of all, I still can’t believe it,” Littler said. “I think I am daring to dream now, I have seen the draw.

“I am only three wins away now. I’m so young, only 16 and I have got nothing to fear, I have got no one to fear, my game can be better than anyone’s on the day and I have shown it there against one of the greatest to have graced that stage.

“With performances like that I can go all the way.

“I’ve pictured myself winning it. I look at the draw and see Brendan next and then Chris Dobey against Rob Cross in the other quarter.

“I fancy myself. I do fancy myself.”

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Dolan made it through to the quarter finals following a hard-fought victory over Anderson

Dolan made it through to the quarter finals following a hard-fought victory over Anderson

Dolan followed up his upset win over Gerwyn Price by pulling off another famous scalp by knocking out two-time world champion Gary Anderson 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in his career.

After falling 2-0 down, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ turned the match on its head to go in front for the first time but fellow veteran Dolan fired in 14, 14 and 15 dart legs to send a dramatic contest all the way to a final set.

But Anderson crumbled under pressure in the fourth leg of the deciding set, failing with four darts at double to allow Dolan to complete a stunning upset on double 3.

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Dolan took out 102 using the bullseye during his sensational win

Dolan took out 102 using the bullseye during his sensational win

“That was some game,” said Dolan. “I was wondering what was wrong with Gary but then he kicked into gear and the next thing he’s ahead of me. I’m wondering ‘don’t let this go, make him win it’ – it was in the lap of the gods,” said Dolan.

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Watch the moment Humphries won a crazy sudden-death leg to edge Cullen

Watch the moment Humphries won a crazy sudden-death leg to edge Cullen

World No 3 Luke Humphries recovered from two sets down and two legs down in the subsequent tie-break set to somehow close out a breathtaking 4-3 victory over Joe Cullen in sudden-death thanks to a 12-dart leg.

‘Cool Hand’ required 10 match-darts to win a seven-set and 36-leg thriller.

“I just think that’s one of the best games I’ve been part of. I feel sorry for Joe,” said Humphries. “I never give up and that somehow allows me to keep going. I’ve survived again.”

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Humphries dissects the insane sudden-death leg as he sealed his spot in the quarter-finals

Humphries dissects the insane sudden-death leg as he sealed his spot in the quarter-finals

World Darts Championship: Saturday Afternoon Results

Scott Williams 4-1 Damon Heta

Daryl Gurney 2-4 Dave Chisnall

Rob Cross 4-0 Jonny Clayton

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A look back the best of the action from the evening session of Day 13 of the World Darts Championship

A look back the best of the action from the evening session of Day 13 of the World Darts Championship

The afternoon session got under way with a clinical performance by Scott Williams to book his spot in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Damon Heta.

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Scott Williams reeled in ‘The Big Fish’ after Damon Heta chose an alternative route in their clash

Scott Williams reeled in ‘The Big Fish’ after Damon Heta chose an alternative route in their clash

Williams produced some ruthless finishing, while Heta struggled on the doubles, a 170 out the highlight of proceedings.

Williams will now face one of the tournament favourites Michael van Gerwen on New Year’s Day.

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Chisnall says that he hasn’t had any practise for months because he’s been getting his front room redecorated

Chisnall says that he hasn’t had any practise for months because he’s been getting his front room redecorated

Perennial TV finalist Dave Chisnall held his nerve to grind out a 4-2 win over Daryl Gurney.

Chisnall took a 2-0 lead in the tie but Gurney fought back well, 130 and 151 checkouts enabling him to draw parity.

However, ‘Chizzy’ rallied and nine 180s and a 99 average secured his spot in the last 16.

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Gurney dazzled with superb 130 and 151 checkouts during his defeat to Chisnall

Gurney dazzled with superb 130 and 151 checkouts during his defeat to Chisnall

The session concluded with a ruthless performance from Rob Cross as he whitewashed ‘The Ferret’ Jonny Clayton 4-0.

The 2018 champion got off to a superb start as he took a 3-0 lead, with a stunning 140 checkout setting the tone.

Cross missed five match darts as Clayton levelled at 2-2 in the fourth set, but ‘Voltage’ held his nerve to seal a clinical win to set up a mouth-watering clash against ‘Hollywood’ Chris Dobey.

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Cross hit this clinical 140 checkout against Clayton

Cross hit this clinical 140 checkout against Clayton

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Former World Champion Cross says he needed a new pair of pants after missing six match darts against Clayton

Former World Champion Cross says he needed a new pair of pants after missing six match darts against Clayton

What’s happening on New Year’s Day at the World Darts Championship?

Michael van Gerwen is back in action on New Year’s Day at the World Darts Championship with semi-final spots on the line

Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen will take on Scott Williams, with 2018 winner Rob Cross up against Chris Dobey.

World Darts Championship

December 31, 2023, 12:30pm

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World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Afternoon Fixtures

Chris Dobey vs Rob Cross

Luke Littler vs Brendan Dolan

Teenage sensation Luke Littler will take on Brendan Dolan, who has already knocked out Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson, with Dave Chisnall facing Luke Humphries or Joe Cullen.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place from January 1-3.

Live World Darts Championship

January 1, 2024, 7:00pm

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World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Evening Fixtures

Michael van Gerwen vs Scott Williams

󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall

The sport’s biggest event sees the remaining players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for 6 months

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December 30, 2023
‘What was he doing?’ | Gavin Bazunu has nightmare playing out from the back

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Southampton let Plymouth back in at St Mary’s after some calamitous defending allowed Ryan Hardie to make it 2-1.

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December 29, 2023
Damon Heta’s huge winning darts | Pins 151 to beat Berry van Peer!

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Damon Heta sealed 4-3 victory over Berry van Peer in sensational manner by taking out a 151 checkout.

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December 29, 2023
World Darts Championship: Gerwyn Price ‘gutted’ after defeat to Brendan Dolan at Alexandra Palace

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Gerwyn Price’s hopes of a second World Championship crown came to an end as he was beaten by Brendan Dolan; the World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – we’re back on Friday at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts

By Nigel Chiu and Megan Wellens

Last Updated: 29/12/23 12:30am

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Brendan Dolan took out some big finishes as he shocked Gerwyn Price and dumped the Welshman out of the World Championships

Brendan Dolan took out some big finishes as he shocked Gerwyn Price and dumped the Welshman out of the World Championships

Gerwyn Price says he’s “absolutely gutted” to be knocked out of the World Darts Championship after a dramatic 4-2 defeat to Brendan Dolan on Thursday night.

Dolan put on a phenomenal show as he beat 2021 world champion Price 4-2, incredible 130 and 144 checkouts helping him on his way.

The Welshman could never find a solid spell in the contest and so Dolan continually took advantage, setting up a last-16 clash with either Boris Krcmar or Gary Anderson.

Earlier this month, Price revealed he nearly pulled out of the tournament over concerns about the reception he would face from the crowd but thanked the fans for their support.

“Absolutely gutted with the chances I gave away tonight, trying too hard and beating myself up,” Price wrote on Instagram.

“Just wanna say how much I appreciate the crowd that got behind me, just couldn’t get a flow and Brendan took out every chance I have him, well done to him and hopefully I’ll learn from this, #gutted. But once again thank you.”

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Brendan Dolan admitted he was very happy to avoid a final set against Gerwyn Price

Brendan Dolan admitted he was very happy to avoid a final set against Gerwyn Price

Mardle praises ‘underrated’ Dolan

Three years ago, Price beat Dolan in the third round in a sudden death leg on his way to winning the 2021 World Championship.

However, he couldn’t fight back this time after already levelling the match on two occasions before Dolan won the final two sets.

“Price will be so deflated because if he plays well, Dolan doesn’t get half of those chances,” Wayne Mardle told Sky Sports.

“The four biggest legs of the match, Dolan won them all. Gerwyn Price never strung a five or 10-minute spell together and when he did, it was on his own darts and it won him sets 3-1 and 3-0. But it never went over into Brendan’s set.

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Brendan Dolan punished Gerwyn Price as he fought back and stole the third set by taking out 90 on the bull

Brendan Dolan punished Gerwyn Price as he fought back and stole the third set by taking out 90 on the bull

“You don’t know when a purple patch will come and it never came at the right time for Gerwyn Price. Things were coming at the right time for Brendan.”

Price actually won one more leg than Dolan but the set format meant it was the Northern Irishman who capitalised on his opponent not quite firing on all cylinders.

Mardle thinks Dolan’s timing was “perfect” and believes he has been hard to beat on the tour for over two decades.

“Brendan never went off to a bad spell when it mattered. That last set was incredible,” he continued.

“Dolan never gets the credit because he’s not flamboyant, he’s not one of these ‘speedsters’ like Scott Williams who is a bit marmite and separate the crowd.

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Bendan Dolan lived up to his pre-match billing as he won the first set in style

Bendan Dolan lived up to his pre-match billing as he won the first set in style

“He just does his own thing, plays within himself. Even when he’s nervous, he soon calmed himself down. That was a brilliant performance.

“Don’t forget that’s the second brilliant performance on the bounce. Against Mickey Mansell, he was better than that and could easily do that again. Why can’t he get through to the semi-finals?”

Three-time world champion John Part added: “Brendan got to him. Three years ago, Gerwyn survived a match against Brendan on a last leg decider. Tonight Brendan said ‘look, that wasn’t a fluke’. And he was more timely with good outs.

“He held it together and is a mature, confident darts player. He’s constantly underrated and is a great darts player.”

Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports with a NOW Sports Month Membership

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