World Darts Championship 2026: Crowd Favourite Paul Lim Braced for Rematch Against Luke Humphries

History could be set to repeat itself at the World Darts Championship as the oldest man ever to win on the Alexandra Palace stage, 71-year-old Paul Lim, prepares for a rematch against former world champion Luke Humphries.

The pair will meet five years on from their first encounter, when Lim caused a minor upset by beating Humphries in the opening round of the 2021 World Championship. 

That match took place behind closed doors at the MK Stadium in Milton Keynes due to COVID restrictions, making this upcoming clash all the more special as it unfolds in front of a packed Ally Pally crowd.

Following respective victories over Jeffrey de Graaf and Ted Evetts, Lim and Humphries are now set to renew acquaintances on the sport’s biggest stage.

A Familiar Name on the Draw

For Lim, the draw immediately brought back memories of that famous win five years ago.

“It’d be uncanny if I were to meet Luke Humphries again.”

The Singaporean veteran knows full well, however, that the man standing opposite him this time is vastly different from the one he faced back in 2020.

A Very Different Luke Humphries

Humphries arrived at that 2021 tournament fresh from winning the PDC World Youth Championship but had yet to claim a professional title. 

Fast forward five years and the landscape has changed dramatically.

Now a Triple Crown winner, Humphries spent close to two years as world number one before recently being overtaken by teenage sensation and reigning world champion Luke Littler.

“The Luke Humphries of today is not the Luke Humphries a few years ago. He’s honestly as force to be reckoned with. He’s one of the best players in the world.”

Lim has continued to study Humphries’ game closely, admiring the evolution that has turned him into one of darts’ most dominant figures.

“He is so dedicated, and I see his changes. I watched him in his last tournament, and even then, he changed a little bit, he slowed down a little bit more too. When a player of that calibre still needs to change something to get himself better, I think that’s when you appreciate that person is something different."

The Upset Factor

Despite the challenge ahead, Lim remains relaxed about the task in front of him and embraces the role of potential spoiler.

"Honestly speaking I have nothing against Humphries. In any sport everyone loves an upset, and I always love to be a part of an upset.”

That underdog status is something Lim has made his own throughout his career, particularly at Alexandra Palace, where he continues to captivate fans well into his seventies.

A Crowd Favourite at Ally Pally

Lim’s ability to win over a crowd was highlighted even before the tournament began, with Littler admitting he hoped to avoid drawing the veteran in the opening round, alongside women’s world number one Beau Greaves.

"I thought it was a joke. I really did. I really didn't believe that he must be out of his mind. That's what I can think,” Lim joked when told of Littler’s comments.

"No, but I dunno why he said that, but to me it sounds like a compliment."

With the Alexandra Palace crowd firmly behind him once again, Lim believes that support could play a role as he looks to roll back the years.

“Maybe he feels like the crowd would be behind me and I think tonight is showed too. The crowd was behind me and I appreciate that.”

Whether history repeats itself or not, Lim’s presence ensures another memorable night awaits at Ally Pally.