By:
Paul Kelly
Gian van Veen has overtaken Irishman William O’Connor with the highest average of the 2026 World Darts Championship.
O’Connor averaged 102.36 in the first round, with van Veen now surpassing that with his 108.28 average in Round 2.
Gian van Veen Trumps William O’Connor’s 102.36 World Darts Championship Highest Average
Gian van Veen recorded the highest average of the 2026 World Darts Championship in his 3-1 Round 2 victory over Alan Soutar on Monday night at the Alexandra Palace.
The Dutchman hit a 170-checkout and seven 180s on his way to posting a 108.28 average, which is almost six points higher than the previous highest average this year at Ally Pally.
William O’Connor posted a 102.36 average in his Round 1 victory over Krzysztof Kciuk which was the highest of the tournament until van Veen’s display in the second round.
Not only was van Veen’s 108.28 average the highest of this year’s tournament, it is now officially the 11th highest average in World Darts Championship history.
There've been only ten averages in World Championship history higher than Gian van Veen's 108 average tonight. Every single one of them was hit by a player with a World Championship title.
Could the Sid Waddell trophy be coming back to the Netherlands? 👀👀🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/W5SrGFm7Vd
— Oisín (@180isin) December 22, 2025
There have only been 10 averages in World Championship history higher than the Dutchman’s, with all 10 of those higher averages coming from players who have won the Sid Waddell Trophy and been crowned champion of the world.
The 23-year-old’s display has put Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and co on notice with a standout performance and one that shows he is capable of going all the way at this year’s Worlds.
O’Connor’s average of 102+ was the highest of all first round encounters at Ally Pally, with the Irishman yet to take to the oche for his second round match with Michael van Gerwen.
O’Connor will beat van Gerwen according to the stats, but whether he does or not remains to be seen. The three-time world champion is going somewhat under the radar this year, and will be quietly confident of winning a fourth world title come the New Year.
That's the first blockbuster performance of this year's worlds. Gian van Veen with a 108 average, helped by this Big Fish 🤯
Only the greats manage that kind of display!pic.twitter.com/SLZxJwoELI
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) December 22, 2025
William O’Connor Could Face Three World Champions In A Row
William O’Connor must get through his Round 2 encounter with Michael van Gerwen before he can even ponder the thought of reaching the business end of the World Darts Championship and returning to the oche after Christmas.
‘The Magpie’ is still an underdog against the world number three, despite averaging 12 points more than the Dutchman in their respective first round matches.
Keane Barry was Ireland’s strongest hope at the 2026 World Darts Championship, but with ‘Dynamite’ already eliminated, Ireland’s hopes now rest on the Limerick man instead.
We're not here to take part 😉
A monster of a performance from Limerick's Willie O'Connor at the PDC World Darts Championship.
Watch out MVG, the Magpie is coming 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪pic.twitter.com/6C6DOz5SGG
— BAR 1 Betting (@BAR1Betting) December 19, 2025
Should O’Connor beat van Gerwen on Tuesday afternoon, a potential meeting with two-time world champion Peter Wright could be on the cards for Round 3.
If O’Connor can continue his strong form and beat ‘Snakebite’, then it could be yet another former two-time world champion in his way in the shape of Gary Anderson in the last 16.
It’s fair to say that if William O’Connor is to make it to the quarter-finals and perhaps even go all the way and win his bracket of the draw and reach the semis, he will have to do it the hard way.
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