Michael Smith, currently ranked 31st on the PDC Order of Merit, is a shadow of the World Champion who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in January 2023. In 2026, he is introduced as 'former World Champion' only when on the TV stage. The last 12 months have been shocking compared to his former self, ranked 52nd in averages during this time frame. Results such as losing in the Masters Preliminary round and five first-round exits in Player Championships, most notably losing to three new Tour Card holders with an average just above 80, show how far he has fallen.
Smith's decline began after his World Championship win. He admitted to DartsNow: 'The 12 months after winning it were the best 12 months of my life … I just had fun,' with eight or nine holidays in a year. 'I did the wrong thing… It was immature, but I just wanted to have fun.' The £500,000 prize money from the Worlds masked his ranking, dropping him from world number 3 to world number 16 overnight when it rolled off. A 3-2 loss to Kevin Doets at the same stage he had beaten him twelve months earlier highlighted his vulnerability.
In January 2025, Smith revealed he has arthritis in his wrist, right shoulder and left foot, admitting: 'I don't think I've been pain free for the last four years. Even when I won the Worlds, I've always had the problem in my wrist.' He told DartsNews: 'There were talks about a shoulder replacement … it means I lose my tour card.' The chronic pain has affected his deciding leg averages, which dropped from 97.77 (Nov '24–May '25) to 83.50 (Nov '25–Feb '26), before recovering to 94.15 (Feb '26–May '26). Checkout percentages declined from 40.16% to 36.32% before a slight uptick to 38.28%.
Smith's 2025 win percentage was 52%, 15% down from his 2022 peak. He suffered a 6-0 demolition by Marvin Van Velzen, averaging 73.93, and lost to Dennie Olde Kalter and Mario Vandenbogaerde three times. He failed to qualify for the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix, and lost immediately at the Masters 2026 to new Tour Card holder Rhys Griffin. His prize money collapsed from £929,750 in 2023 to £73,500 in 2026. However, there are signs of life: his 2026 win percentage is 61%, and he reached a final at PC11 in April, losing 7-8 to Beau Greaves, beating Dobey, Doets, Hunt and Andrew Gilding. His deciding leg average has improved to 94.15.
Smith's physical deterioration is permanent, but he remains determined. 'I dropped down to 60 and got back up to number one,' he told DartsNews. The stats suggest a top-20 target is realistic over the next 12-18 months. Smith's story is far from over, but this chapter is the most challenging he has ever faced.
