It truly is the most magical season of the year. As the jingle of sleigh bells fills the air and Santa prepares for his grand journey, another beloved tradition has returned—the world of darts is in full swing.

The highly anticipated PDC World Darts Championship kicked off on Thursday, promising weeks of thrilling competition at London’s renowned Alexandra Palace. Millions of fans are eager to see if Luke Littler can once again capture the title.

With the crowd donning creative costumes and chanting lively tunes about Yaya and Kolo Toure, the atmosphere is electric. The familiar sound of Planet Funk’s “Chase the Sun” accompanies the 180s that fly across the board. This championship has become a staple of the holiday season, as cherished as mince pies and mistletoe.

While the players take center stage, they are supported by their loved ones watching from the family section. These partners, who share the highs and lows of life beyond the cameras and the festive chaos, play an essential role in the players’ lives.

From former walk-on girls to lifelong sweethearts, the stories of the wives and girlfriends behind the championship stars add another layer of intrigue to the event. Join us as we delve into the lives of these remarkable women who stand beside the players.

Luke Littler – Faith Millar

What better place to start than with the reigning world champion and his beautician girlfriend Faith Millar?

Despite initially insisting they were merely friends, the 18-year-old went public with the relationship in July this year and was spotted kissing Millar, 19, during the World Matchplay event in Blackpool.

And that seemed to work just the charm for Littler, who went on to become the youngest player to complete darts’ prestigious Triple Crown after beating James Wade in the final.

Not only has ‘The Nuke’ struck up a relationship with Millar in 2025, the world champion also passed his driving test at his first attempt in November – and his new girlfriend publicly took to social media to congratulate him. 

‘Woooohoooo passenger princess now,’ Millar wrote, followed by a laughing face emoji.

Littler had previously been in a relationship with beauty consultant Eloise Milburn, who had cheered him on as he made his way in the sport, but reportedly ended the relationship in July last year due to his hectic schedule.

However, the darts sensation did venture back into love life with Millar and earlier this year admitted he had to warn her about trolls targeting their relationship.

Speaking on DartStream Live, he said: ‘Obviously, at the start of last year, I was always looking at the comments. And she’s been having a look [at the] negativity.

‘But I just said “They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us. Just don’t look at it and just focus on what we’ve got”.’

Luke Humphries – Kayley Jones

‘Cool Hand Luke’ may have lost his world championship title at last year’s event – but away from the darts board he remained as composed as ever as he proposed to his girlfriend Kayley Jones.

The Reading-born star had been in a long-term relationship with Jones and decided to pop the question in a ‘perfect moment’ overlooking the New York City skyline in May 2024.

The pair shared the news on Instagram at the time, posting several pictures of Humphries down on one knee, and several members of the sporting world took to the social media platform to congratulate the couple. 

Kayley – unlike some of the other darts world WAGs – keeps a low profile on social media and largely uses the platform to showcase Luke’s achievements, trips abroad and the two children they raise together.

But she is expected to be in attendance throughout Humphries’ participation in the World Championship as the 30-year-old attempts to reclaim his title.

The pair spend family time together with Humphries’ step-daughter Grace, born in 2013, and their son Rowan Ellis, born on October 9, 2022. 

When Rowan was born, Humphries posted on Facebook: ‘Absolutely overwhelmed to welcome mine and Kayley Marie’s son into the world last night at 10.09pm, weighing 7 pounds 9 and a half!

‘Absolutely in awe off how amazing Kayley was, going through it all. She was incredibly strong throughout labour and am so proud of her.’

Michael Smith – Dagmara Smith

Michael Smith is known as a family man and has enjoyed a blossoming love with his long-term partner, Dagmara Smith, who is three years younger than him.

Polish-born Dagmara married Smith, from St Helens, back in 2019, and along with their two kids, is often seen in attendance at his events.

She previously played darts at a regional level and was there for Smith’s famous victory over Van Gerwen where he hit a nine-dart finish in the 2023 final – but only after she insisted.

Smith, 35, who described Dagmara as his ‘personal chef’ in one Instagram post, told the Live Darts YouTube channel before that final: ‘They’ll (my family) be here. She’s already said she’s coming.

‘I said she’s not allowed and then she swore at me and said “I’m coming”. Just watching their faces, I know their faces will be even brighter and bigger if I do get that trophy.’

The ‘Bully Boy’ is one of several players who are extremely superstitious ahead of the World Championship, but Dagmara will be keen to support her husband every step of the way.

Raymond van Barneveld – Julia Evans

Darts icon Raymond van Barneveld tied the knot with Julia Evans – who is 18 years his junior – in 2023, with the British woman becoming his second wife.

‘Barney’, 58, was previously married to Silvia for 25 years but they split in January 2019 amid marriage difficulties and the armed burglary of their family home in the Netherlands.

Reports claimed the five-time world champion broke up with Silvia to get with Julia, who is an avid fan of darts, with the couple meeting when the Dutchman was competing at a tournament in Southampton.

After previously working for Transport for London (TfL), Evans is now Van Barneveld’s assistant manager. 

Her LinkedIn page highlights ‘organising meetings’ and ‘managing his calendar’ among the roles of her job. 

Their wedding took place in Cyprus in September 2023 and they have now been together for six years. 

Gerwyn Price – Bethan Price 

There are few figures in darts quite as polarising as Gerwyn Price, but away from the fanfare he is loved-up with his childhood sweetheart, Bethan. 

The pair have been together since they were 17, after meeting in the village of Markham, Wales, which had a population of just 1,495 people at the last census. 

‘The Iceman’ is advised on the business side of his profession by his wife, who is a sports manager and helps to handle his day-to-day operations, endorsement deals and media relations.

The former rugby player, 40, married Bethan in 2018 and is regularly seen travelling to and from events with his partner, whom he shares two children with.

Peter Wright – Joanne Wright

As far as partners go in playing an integral part in success, Peter Wright’s wife Joanne has a starring role to play as the former world champion’s hairdresser.

‘Snakebite’, 55, is one of the most-loved players on the circuit – most notably because of his crazy haircuts that have previously seen him appear as the Grinch at Ally Pally.

Joanne is the mastermind behind Wright’s iconic trims and each year she manages to successfully stun the crowd who adore his style.

The pair met when Wright was a pot washer in a Warner’s holiday camp kitchen at the age of 22, while Joanne was working as a waitress at the same venue.

It was there that their romance blossomed and Joanne supported her husband through his first year as a professional player, where he just £1,200 in prize money before going on to become one of the world’s best.

The two-time world champion will be showcasing a myriad of crazy hair creations at the tournament, while any winnings will also be managed by his wife who is responsible for their finances. 

James Wade – Sammi Marsh-Wade

James Wade has been competing in PDC events since 2004 – and while he has had less success in recent years, he is still widely regarded as one of the greatest darts players of all time.

Despite previously admitting that Christmas is a ‘s***’ time to play in the PDC’s biggest event, the 42-year-old will once again be given a hero’s welcome at the Ally Pally, such is his longevity in the game.

He married former walk-on girl and model Sammi Marsh-Wade in 2015 and the couple have two children together.

Wade, who has a reported net worth of more than £3million, has repeatedly faced accusations Sammi was only with him for the money.

However, he has always denied this and once said: ‘All the doubters had to shut up when they realised we were so strong – she is my rock.’