On Saturday, 3 January 2026, the PDC World Darts Championship final took place at Alexandra Palace in London, where Luke Littler defeated Gian van Veen to become world champion for a second consecutive year. Littler secured the £1 million winner’s prize and lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy after a dominant 7–1 victory in sets, as reported by The WP Times citing official PDC tournament data.

The final was billed as a clash between two players born in the 2000s, marking a generational shift in the sport. Van Veen took the opening set, but from that point Littler controlled the match with relentless scoring and clinical finishing. His combination of heavy scoring, tight grouping and high-pressure checkouts left his Dutch opponent with few chances to recover.

Littler’s performance was defined by consistency. He produced a three-dart average above 100 across the match and repeatedly won legs in 12 and 13 darts, keeping constant pressure on Van Veen’s throw. A key moment came in the middle of the final when Littler completed a 147 checkout, breaking Van Veen’s resistance and swinging the crowd firmly in his favour.

For Gian van Veen, reaching the final was still a breakthrough moment. The 23-year-old had enjoyed a strong tournament run, including a high-quality semi-final victory, and showed composure in his first World Championship final. However, Littler’s pace and accuracy proved too strong once the Englishman found his rhythm.

The atmosphere at Alexandra Palace reflected the significance of the occasion. With a packed crowd and millions watching on television, the 2026 final delivered a clear statement about the future of darts. Littler’s back-to-back titles place him in a rare group of players who have successfully defended the world championship in the modern era.

With the £1 million prize, Littler not only reinforces his position as world number one but also becomes the most financially successful young player the sport has ever produced. At just 18 years old, he now stands as the central figure of professional darts heading into the next decade.

Final result
Luke Littler 7 – 1 Gian van Veen
Date: 3 January 2026
Venue: Alexandra Palace, London
Champion: Luke Littler
Runner-up: Gian van Veen
Winner’s prize: £1,000,000

Littler’s victory in London means he has now won the World Darts Championship for a second consecutive year, a feat achieved by only a handful of players in the modern PDC era. By defending his title at just 18, he joins an elite group that includes Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson, confirming that his breakthrough season was not a one-off but the start of a sustained period at the top of the sport.

Winning back-to-back world titles, combined with the £1 million prize, firmly establishes Littler as the dominant figure of his generation. What began as a teenage sensation has now become something far more significant: a player shaping the competitive and commercial future of professional darts.

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