Gary Anderson repeatedly faces doubters. But these track him on.
With the 2026 Darts World Championship just around the corner, the most important tournament of the year is approaching. And just in time for the spectacle at London’s Ally Pally, the form curve of two-time world champion Gary Anderson is also pointing upwards.
Although he has not reached a final since the lost final against Gerwyn Price in 2021, he firmly believes that a third title is possible for him. “It would be nice to win another one,” Anderson said in an interview with Sky Sports .
Darts icon Anderson wants to show the doubters
“Recently, I was quite happy with what I had achieved and thought: I’ve done my job. But then people started talking: ‘He’s done, he’ll never do it again.’ That triggered something in me – and then I can’t stop playing. Then I actually become dangerous.”
Compared to earlier times, Anderson no longer trains as much, but this is not a problem for him. “I don’t put in as much time anymore, but I can still keep up with the best,” explained the Flying Scotsman.
Anderson reported: “For the amount of darts I play, I’m just doing well. I just keep going, on and on.”
Darts World Championship: Anderson could triumph historically
And with success. In 2025, he won a title on both the Pro Tour and the European Tour. Should Anderson also triumph at Alexandra Palace, this would have historical significance.
If he were to win a third title, he could join the exclusive club of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen – the only two players who have been able to win three titles in the PDC era.
But not only that motivates Anderson: “I think if everyone was nice and would say ‘yes, yes, yes’, I would probably slowly stop. But there is always someone who says: ‘He’s overwhelmed.’ And then I think: No, that’s not me.”
Darts sport makes rapid development
Anderson also commented on the rapid development of darts. The Scot would not have thought it possible that there is now a million pounds for the world champion.
“A million pounds, fantastic. You would never have thought it would come to that,” says Anderson impressed. “Barry (Hearn, longtime PDC boss, editor’s note) knows what he’s doing. He loves darts and has always pushed it forward. It is now probably the biggest sports show in the world.”
Passion for darts
And yet it is important for the 54-year-old to emphasize that the sporting value is always above the financial one. It is the passion for the sport that drives him.
“When you drive up the hill and see the Ally Pally, it starts to itch. That’s what it’s all about. The whole year doesn’t matter. December is everything. If you can’t afford that, you shouldn’t play,” says Anderson.
The Scot will face Briton Adam Hunt in the first round on December 13.
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