Norris finished as the highest non-qualified player on the Pro Tour Order of Merit for the 2016 World Championship and on his debut in the event he knocked out sixth seed Robert Thornton 3–0 in sets. His form continued as he scored 11 180s in a 4–1 win over Joe Murnan to meet Mark Webster in the third round, who he also defeated 4–1. Norris moved 3–1 up on Jelle Klaasen in the quarter-finals, before being pegged back to 3–3. He won the next set and then missed a dart at double 12 for a nine-dart finish. Norris threw for the match but would ultimately be defeated 5–4, losing the final five legs of the match. He was ranked 37th on the Order of Merit afterwards, the highest of 2015's Q School graduates and was named best newcomer at the PDC Annual Awards Dinner. Norris lost 6–4 in the final of the second UK Open Qualifier to Michael van Gerwen. He reached the fourth round of the main event, but lost 9–6 to Joe Cullen. Norris qualified for his first World Matchplay and won the opening leg against Gary Anderson, but was defeated 10–1. On his World Grand Prix debut he overcame Michael Smith 2–1 and was a leg away from knocking out Simon Whitlock in a deciding set, before the Australian won the match.