Updated 00.27 | Published 2026-01-03 22.34
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Luke Littler, 18, is a world darts champion.
For the second year in a row.
On Saturday, he beat Gian van Veen, 23, in the final and defended his title from 2024.
Before the final, Luke “The Nuke” Littler had lost a total of three sets over six matches. Van Veen was up eight. And Littler stayed at four overall.
Despite the 23-year-old Dutchman calling it quits and winning the first set after Littler lost a 2-0 leg lead, Littler settled his nerves and cruised home his second consecutive World Championship title.
After finishing the second set with a “Big Fish”, i.e. the highest possible outcome (triple 20, triple 20, bull’s eye) there were seven consecutive set wins that succeeded each other.
0–1, 1–1, 2–1, 3–1, 4–1, 5–1, 6–1, 7–1.
One last appearance
He has thus done what no one has managed to do in ten years.
The 18-year-old is the first to defend his WC title since Gary Anderson did the same feat in 2015 and 2016. Historically, he is the fourth ever.
In 2024, Littler lost to Luke Humphries. But in 2025, he managed to win his first World Championship title when he beat the multiple champion Michael van Gerwen.
Littler was then the youngest ever champion winner.
It was thus the Englishman’s third straight final on Saturday evening. Then the somewhat infamous Alexandra Palace Wasp took the opportunity to make his final appearance for the tournament. The “Ally Pally Wasp” was up and bothering Littler who looked a bit cut after it buzzed around his face.
But both finalists escaped unscathed. 180-point innings continued to be reaped as if nothing had happened. In total there were 25 overs in the match.
For his world champion title, Littler is rewarded with 1 million pounds, which corresponds to approximately 12.5 million Swedish kronor. Van Veen has to settle for pennies. Well, the Dutchman gets 400,000 pounds, that is, almost five million Swedish kronor in prize money.
