Luke Littler Goes Back-to-Back to Clinch the 2026 World Darts Championship

At just 18 years old, Luke Littler has continued to rewrite the darts history books, becoming only the fourth player ever, and the first in a decade, to successfully defend the PDC World Darts Championship crown.

The Warrington sensation produced a dominant display at Alexandra Palace, dismantling Dutch contender Gian van Veen 7–1 in the final to go back-to-back as world champion.

It marked Littler’s third consecutive World Championship final, having reached the showpiece event every single year he has competed. 

Already the youngest world champion in history, he is now also the youngest two-time world champion, further underlining his extraordinary impact on the sport.

From Youth Rivals to World Finalists

Just over two years ago, in Butlins’ Minehead, a 16-year-old Littler faced a relatively unknown 21-year-old Gian van Veen in the 2023 World Youth Championship.

Few could have imagined that the same pair would one day meet on darts’ biggest stage, with £1 million on the line in the 2026 World Darts Championship final.

With a combined age of just 41, it was comfortably the youngest world final in the tournament’s history, symbolising a generational shift at the very top of the game.

New Dutch King Emerges

While much of the spotlight has rightly focused on Littler, a player who has transformed the perception of darts in the UK and become one of the country’s biggest sporting stars, Van Veen’s rise has been equally significant.

The Dutchman has quietly climbed the rankings and now stands as the Netherlands’ No.1, bringing an end to Michael van Gerwen’s near 14-year reign at the summit of Dutch darts.

Early Nerves and Missed Chances

It was Van Veen who struck first in the final, taking the opening set after Littler missed three darts at a double. The teenager walked off stage visibly frustrated, aware that his start hadn’t gone to plan.

The roles were reversed in the second set. Van Veen had a dart to double his advantage, only for Littler to respond in trademark fashion, producing a sensational 116 checkout to level the match at 1–1.

Littler Hits Top Gear

From that moment, the momentum shifted decisively. Littler surged into a 2–1 lead, lighting up Ally Pally by landing the iconic ‘big fish’ 170 checkout, the highest possible finish in darts.

The 18-year-old then tightened his grip on the contest. Van Veen failed to win a leg in the following set, allowing Littler to move 3–1 ahead with ruthless efficiency.

One-Way Traffic at Ally Pally

The next two sets followed a similar pattern as Littler ran away with the contest, controlling the scoring and finishing with minimal resistance as the gap continued to grow.

Unusual Interruption Halts Momentum

A strange moment briefly interrupted proceedings shortly after Littler established a 5–1 set lead.

Midway through a set, Van Veen suffered a minor cut to his non-throwing left hand. While removing his darts, a drop of blood landed on the five segment of the board, prompting retiring referee George Noble to intervene.

Despite neither player requesting it, the decision was taken to replace the dartboard between sets, causing a short delay as a clean board was installed before play resumed.

Million Pound Man 

The next two sets proved a mere formality. What had begun as a promising final for Van Veen quickly unravelled into a one-sided onslaught, as Littler powered through to claim the next two sets without mercy.

The match was sealed on double 15, confirming Littler’s emphatic 7–1 victory over the Dutchman.

With that final dart, the 18-year-old etched his name into history as the first-ever £1 million World Darts Championship winner, adding another landmark achievement to an already extraordinary career.