William Hill World Darts Championships

Britain’s biggest bookmaker has become the title sponsor of the World Darts Championship. Staged by the PDC and broadcast live on Sky Sports, will be held throughout December and January, with play spanning the Christmas and New Year period before the first world champion of 2015 is crowned.

The William Hill World Championship will again feature 72 players from around the world, with 16 International Qualifiers competing in the preliminary round for the right to join the sport's top names in the first round proper.

Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen – who defeated Peter Wright on New Year’s Day to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy - is the early favourite with the sponsors to retain his crown, closely followed by 16-time World Champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor.