Paul Lim has booked his spot at the PDC World Darts Championship 2026. The 71-year-old Singaporean legend secured qualification by finishing inside the top five on the PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit, marking a remarkable return to the biggest stage after several years away.

Lim first appeared at a World Championship back in 1982, more than four decades ago. He has since become one of the true icons of the sport, and now he is set to make history once again. When he steps onto the Alexandra Palace stage in December, he will be the oldest player ever to compete at a PDC World Championship, surpassing his own record from 2022 when he qualified aged 67.

– “I’m still playing because I love the sport. I love the atmosphere, the fans, and that feeling of stepping onto the stage. That’s what keeps me going – not my age,” Lim said after his qualification was confirmed.

Lim’s place in the history books was secured long ago, most notably in 1990 when he threw the first ever nine-darter at a World Championship.

His most recent World Championship appearance came in 2022, when he lost 3–2 in the opening round to Joe Murnan. Many assumed it would be his last, but Lim has once again proved that retirement is not in his vocabulary.

– “I’ve been in the game for more than four decades. Of course, you think about how long you can keep going, but as long as I can compete, I want to be there,” Lim explained.

At 71, he will not only be the oldest in the 2026 field but the oldest ever to compete at a PDC World Championship. For younger players, he remains both an inspiration and a living link to the sport’s past.

– “I want to show that age doesn’t have to be a barrier. If you have the passion and the will, you can still achieve things. Hopefully, it inspires the next generation,” Lim added.

When Paul Lim walks out at Alexandra Palace in December 2025, he will do so as a living legend. His first World Championship was in 1982 – and now, at 71, he will become the oldest player ever to take part. The London crowd will no doubt give him a hero’s welcome.