Teenage darting prodigy Luke Littler has cemented his status as a sporting phenomenon by securing his second consecutive PDC World Darts Championship title. The 18-year-old, known as 'The Nuke', produced a masterclass at London's Alexandra Palace on Saturday 3 January 2026, overpowering Dutch challenger Gian van Veen to lift the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy once more.
A Dominant Defence at Ally Pally
Despite dropping the opening set, Littler displayed the formidable nerve and skill that has defined his rapid rise. He responded by winning an astonishing seven consecutive sets to seal a comprehensive 7-1 victory. This triumph marks his third final appearance in a row, having been runner-up to Luke Humphries in 2024 at just 16 years old.
His performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of dominant, losing only four sets in total across the entire competition. The victory means Littler joins an elite group of just four players to win back-to-back world titles, alongside legends Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson. He is the first man to successfully defend the Ally Pally crown since Anderson achieved the feat a decade ago.
"The First Time Was So Nice, I Had To Do It Twice"
Addressing the ecstatic crowd, Littler channelled the words of two-time world champion boxer Anthony Joshua. "The first time was so nice, I had to do it twice!" he proclaimed, hoisting the trophy. He later elaborated on his comeback after the shaky start, telling Sky Sports Darts: "I said to myself, 'give it time, you will find it'. I started off from the left of the oche and moved over to the right. It all came to plan."
Littler also paid a poignant tribute to Joshua, who recently survived a fatal car crash in Nigeria, saying: "Everyone knows what happened with Anthony Joshua and his guys and his team, rest in peace to his friends."
Consequences of a Historic Win
The ramifications of this victory are significant for the sport. As a player who has now won the world championship in two of his only three attempts, Littler extends his lead at the top of the world rankings and solidifies his groundbreaking impact on darts. He also becomes the first winner of the tournament's new £1 million prize pot.
For runner-up Gian van Veen, the defeat was a bitter pill, but his journey to the final elevates him to world number three. He acknowledged Littler's supremacy on the night: "Luke wasn't in the mood to give me any more chances today. He played phenomenal... I would have liked more to give Luke a game, and that's what I didn't do." Despite the loss, Van Veen expressed pride in his tournament run, falling just short of emulating his celebrated countrymen, Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen.
Luke Littler's story continues to captivate, transforming the landscape of professional darts and establishing a new, youthful dynasty at its very pinnacle.
