“Is He Scared?” – Luke Littler Responds to Michael Van Gerwen’s Call for Ranking Reform

The 2026 World Darts Championship is fast approaching, and this year, the stakes have never been higher. 

Not only is the tournament carrying historic emotional weight and prestige, but its financial power has surged to a level the sport has never seen before.

For the first time in darts history, the world champion will walk away with £1million, double what Luke Littler earned when he claimed glory last year. 

The teenager’s breakthrough title was seismic on its own, now, the reward for retaining it could reshape the sport entirely.

£1million prize sparks rankings controversy

Yet while the numbers are jaw-dropping, not everyone is thrilled. Several players have expressed concern that such a massive jump in prize money could distort the rankings across the tour. 

Among the most vocal is three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, who argued during the PDC's pre-event media day that the sport can no longer rely on a money-based ranking system.

“We all know the Worlds is the most important one, but it’s not even a comparison anymore,” MVG told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“If you ask me my honest opinion, they should have a point system. I say it every year, but I’m not the organisation.”

Van Gerwen’s point is simple: if Littler defends his title, the ranking race may be effectively uncatchable for another year. 

The 18-year-old already sits comfortably atop the Order of Merit, closing in on £2million over the current two-year cycle. The Dutchman trails him by over £1million, and that’s before a dart has even hit the board at Ally Pally.

Littler hits back

When we put Van Gerwen’s comments to Littler, the response was direct, confident, and delivered with a sting.

The world champion sees no reason to tear up the current system, suggesting instead that Van Gerwen’s motivation may be rooted in fear rather than fairness.

“As far is it goes I think it should continue,” Littler told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“If Michael wanted it to change, then is he confident about picking this up?”

“Is he scared of me or Luke [Humphries] going £1million, £2million ahead of him in the rankings?”

For Littler, the debate itself speaks volumes.

If a player as accomplished as Van Gerwen is calling for structural change, he believes it may reflect doubt rather than justice.

“It’s Van Gerwen we’re talking about; he’s won this plenty of times. If we’re talking about changing the ranking system while this is around the corner, there’s a million quid on the line, then that says it all.”

Back-to-back glory, not cash

Of course, there’s the historic milestone hanging in the air, the first ever £1million champion. It’s a tag that will live forever, and one Littler acknowledges would be special. 

But that isn’t what’s driving him most.

Instead, he has his sights on joining a rare club. Only three men have ever won back-to-back world titles in the PDC era. It has been more than a decade since anyone last achieved it.

That, Littler says, is the real prize.

“People are always going to say the first million-pound champion.”

“Gary Anderson has been the only person who’s gone back-to-back in the last 10 years. Obviously, Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis did it, but it’s been 10 years since someone won this back-to-back, so that’s on my mind."

The money may make headlines. The milestone may make history.

But for Littler, legacy is the number he wants most.