Luke Littler goes back-to-back to retain his World Championship with an astounding display
Luke Littler goes back-to-back to retain his World Championship with an astounding display
Luke Littler delivered a breathtaking performance to overcome Gian van Veen and successfully defend his Paddy Power World Darts Championship crown on Saturday night, writing another chapter of history at Alexandra Palace.
The 18-year-old became the first £1 million World Champion and only the fourth player ever to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy, joining Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson in an exclusive club. Littler swept aside the Dutch challenger 7-1 in a one-sided final that lasted just over 40 minutes, producing an average north of 106 in a display of relentless scoring and clinical finishing.
Competing in his third consecutive World Championship final, the world number one was at his imperious best. Littler rattled in 16 maximums and converted 46 per cent of his attempts on the outer ring, leaving Van Veen under constant pressure from the opening exchanges.
Early resistance before Littler takes control
Van Veen struck first after surviving four set darts in a dramatic opening set and threatened to double his advantage with back-to-back big checkouts of 145 and 127. However, Littler responded in emphatic fashion, nailing a 116 finish to draw level before quickly asserting his authority.
The Warrington star followed up another 116 checkout with an 11-darter and a stunning 170 finish to surge into a 2-1 lead. From there, the contest swung firmly in Littler’s favour.
A trio of 15-dart legs carried him through the fourth set, and although Van Veen briefly halted the momentum with a classy 137 finish on tops-tops in the fifth, it proved only a temporary reprieve.
Littler reeled off another six-leg surge to stretch his advantage to 5-1, as Van Veen narrowly missed a chance to slow the charge by wiring double 16 for a 146 checkout in the seventh.
The Dutchman showed admirable fight, firing in six perfect darts in one last attempt to wrestle back control, but Littler refused to loosen his grip. An 11-dart break moved him within touching distance of victory before he sealed the title in style, landing his 16th 180 and completing a superb 147 finish on double 15 to close out the contest.
“Absolutely life-changing”
“This feels unbelievable,” said Littler, who defeated Darius Labanauskas, David Davies, Mensur Suljovic, Rob Cross, Krzysztof Ratajski and Ryan Searle on his route to the title.
“I wasn’t happy being 1-0 down at the first break, but once I got going everything clicked into place.
“Gian has had an incredible tournament and he pushed me in every set. I had to take my chances when they came.
“To win a million pounds is absolutely life-changing. It also extends my lead at world number one, which means a lot to me.
“This is very special, but I’m nowhere near done. I want more titles, and I’m still enjoying every second of this journey.”
Pride for Van Veen despite defeat
Despite the heavy defeat, Van Veen can reflect on a remarkable tournament. The 23-year-old became the new Dutch number one after knocking out former champions Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson en route to his maiden World Championship final.
While he narrowly missed the chance to emulate Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen as a Dutch world champion, Van Veen remained proud of his achievements.
“Of course I’m disappointed, but reaching the final is something I’m very proud of,” he said.
“In the earlier rounds I took my opportunities, but tonight Luke was simply unbelievable. He put me under pressure in every leg.
“He’s world number one for a reason. Back-to-back World Champion says it all.
“Becoming Dutch number one is a huge moment for me, even if tonight hurts. When I look back on this tournament, I can be very proud, and hopefully 2026 will be even better.”
Records tumble as Littler joins elite company
Littler now becomes just the seventh player to lift the World Championship trophy more than once, joining Taylor, Van Gerwen, Lewis, Anderson, Peter Wright and John Part. Remarkably, he surrendered only four sets throughout the entire tournament.
Van Veen’s run sees him climb to third on the PDC Order of Merit after collecting the £400,000 runner-up prize, underlining his arrival at the very top of the sport.
At Alexandra Palace, history was made once again — and Luke Littler continues to redefine what is possible on the world darts stage.
Luke Littler goes back-to-back to retain his World Championship with an astounding display
2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Saturday January 3
Final
Luke Littler 7-1 Gian van Veen (2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
Set One (Littler 2-3 Van Veen)
Van Veen kicked off proceedings with a clinical 116 checkout and a 12-darter, before Littler seized control of the opening stanza. However, the world number one spurned four darts across the next two legs, and Van Veen capitalised to draw first blood.
Set Two (Littler 3-2 Van Veen)
That was incredible! Van Veen moved to the cusp of a two-set lead with successive 145 and 127 finishes, only to miss double eight for another ton-plus checkout, and Littler duly turned the set around, following up legs of 14 and 12 darts with a 116 combination to level.
Set Three (Littler 3-1 Van Veen)
It’s another astonishing three-leg burst from Littler. Van Veen opened his account with a 13-darter on tops, only for Littler to produce a 112 leveller, followed by an 11-dart break and a 170 checkout – his second of the tournament.
Set Four (Littler 3-0 Van Veen)
Littler completed a clean sweep in set four to establish a 3-1 cushion, producing a hat-trick of 15-dart legs to extend his winning run to six legs.
Set Five (Littler 3-1 Van Veen)
Van Veen halted Littler’s charge with a sublime tops-tops 137 finish, although this only provided a temporary reprieve, as Littler rattled off another three legs on the spin to stretch his advantage to 4-1.
Set Six (Littler 3-0 Van Veen)
Littler’s relentless brilliance continued in the sixth stanza. The reigning champion opened it up with back-to-back 180s, and although Van Veen had opportunities at double early in the set, he was unable to take them and was royally punished.
Set Seven (Littler 3-0 Van Veen)
Another extraordinary set from Luke Littler. Van Veen wired double 16 for a 146 checkout to level the seventh set, and despite kicking off leg three with back-to-back 180s, he lost the leg as Littler crashed in an 11-darter to move a set away from glory.
Set Eight (Littler 3-1 Van Veen)
Following back-to-back holds to kick off the eighth set, Littler moved to the brink of victory with a 14-dart hold, before following up his sixteenth 180 with a majestic 147 checkout to seal the deal in style.
