Luke Littler became darts world champion again. © AFP / BEN STANSALL

18 years old and second time darts world champion

Luke Littler impressively defended his darts throne in London and, at the age of 18, stormed to his second world championship title.

03 January 2026

From: dpa

The young Englishman dominated the final, winning 7-1 against the hapless European champion Gian van Veen of the Netherlands, and became the first professional since Scotsman Gary Anderson ten years ago to successfully defend his world title. In addition to the record prize money of one million pounds (around 1,15 million euros), awarded for the first time, Littler receives the Sid Waddell Trophy, weighing over 20 kilograms, which he had already won last year as a minor.

Littler played an outstanding tournament at Alexandra Palace and was never truly challenged during the three weeks of the World Championship. Following his latest triumph on the world's biggest darts stage, he leads the world rankings by a gigantic margin of more than £1,5 million.

sensation stopped

Van Veen, who had never won a match at Alexandra Palace before this World Championship, can nevertheless look back on his year and his World Championship tournament with satisfaction. The 23-year-old not only won the European Championship title, but also, with his strong run in London, dethroned his compatriot Michael van Gerwen as the Netherlands' number one player. Van Gerwen had topped the national rankings for 13 years.