The defending men's champion was Scott Mitchell, who won his first world title in 2015, but lost in the Quarter-finals to Richard Veenstra.

Lisa Ashton was the defending women's champion, having won the previous two editions, but lost to Trina Gulliver in the Quarter-finals.

On 27 November 2015, Hull qualifier Vladimir Andersen was removed from the field after being suspended by the Danish Darts Union and was replaced by Sam Hewson, the player next in line according to the rankings.

The final was played on 7 January between Republic of Ireland player Jordan Boyce and England's Joshua Richardson in a best of five sets match.

BT Sport coverage was presented by Ray Stubbs alongside current BDO players Tony O'Shea, Scott Mitchell and Ted Hankey with Reshmin Chowdhury replacing Helen Skelton as roving reporter.