THE William Hill World Darts Championship kicks off on Thursday, with Michael van Gerwen beginning his defence of the Sid Waddell Trophy on a star-studded opening night at London’s Alexandra Palace when he takes on Yorkshire’s Joe Cullen.

Eighth seed Dave Chisnall is tghe first of the St Helens trio up when he takes on Ryan De Vreede on Sunday evening.

The preliminary and first rounds will take place in eight sessions across six days from December 18-23 before the tournament enjoys a three-day Christmas break.

The second round and third round will be held from December 27-30, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final taking place from January 1-4 before the first World Champion of 2015 is crowned.

William Hill World Darts Championship: Schedule of Play - Preliminary & First Rounds.

Thursday December 18 (7pm-12am).

John Part (30) v Keegan Brown.

Christian Perez v Cristo Reyes (P).

Jelle Klaasen (29) v Christian Kist.

Michael van Gerwen (1) v Joe Cullen .

Wes Newton (13) v Christian Perez/Cristo Reyes .

Friday December 19 (7pm-12am).

Andy Hamilton (12) v Dave Richardson.

Kim Viljanen v Sascha Stein (P).

Peter Wright (5) v Gerwyn Price .

Phil Taylor (2) v Jyhan Artut.

Stuart Kellett (32) v Kim Viljanen/Sascha Stein.

Saturday December 20.

Afternoon Session (12.30pm-5pm).

Andy Smith (28) v Ronny Huybrechts.

Scott Mackenzie v Daryl Gurney (P).

Justin Pipe (17) v Laurence Ryder.

Robert Thornton (9) v Andrew Gilding.

Ronnie Baxter (24) v Scott Mackenzie/Daryl Gurney.

Evening Session (7pm-12am).

Steve Beaton (21) v Kyle Anderson.

Mark McGrath v Scott Kirchner (P).

Terry Jenkins (16) v John Weber.

Simon Whitlock (7) v Darren Webster.

Gary Anderson (4) v Mark McGrath/Scott Kirchner.

Sunday December 21.

Afternoon Session (12.30pm-5pm).

Paul Nicholson (25) v Benito van de Pas.

Boris Koltsov v Haruki Muramatsu (P).

Mark Webster (31) v Ron Meulenkamp .

Dean Winstanley (26) v Wayne Jones.

Kevin Painter (20) v Boris Koltsov/Haruki Muramatsu.

Evening Session (7pm-12am).

Kim Huybrechts (18) v Mickey Mansell .

Jani Haavisto v John Michael (P).

Dave Chisnall (8) v Ryan De Vreede.

James Wade (6) v Jamie Lewis.

Ian White (15) v Jani Haavisto/John Michael.

Monday December 22.

Jamie Caven (19) v Jason Hogg.

Nolan Arendse v Alex Hon (P).

Michael Smith (22) v Mensur Suljovic .

Raymond van Barneveld (14) v Rowby-John Rodriguez.

Brendan Dolan (11) v Nolan Arendse/Alex Hon .

Tuesday December 23.

Vincent van der Voort (23) v John Henderson.

Jermaine Wattimena v Robert Marijanovic (P).

Mervyn King (10) v Max Hopp.

Adrian Lewis (3) v David Pallett.

Stephen Bunting (27) v Jermaine Wattimena/Robert Marijanovic .