Luke Littler crushes Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace as the 18-year-old seals back-to-back World Darts Championship titles and pockets the sport’s first £1million prize

It’s almost funny to think how this all started.

Not with academies or grand plans, but with a £1 magnetic dartboard bought by Luke Littler’s dad, Anthony, for his toddler son.

Fast-forward nearly two decades and that small, casual purchase has snowballed into something extraordinary.

At 18, Littler now stands atop the darts world again, having defended his World Championship crown and pocketed the sport’s first-ever £1million prize.

One Throw to Seal History

The end came with a flourish. A calm, deadly 147 finish, the final flick of the wrist, and Alexandra Palace erupted. Littler didn’t just win — he dominated.

The youngest final in World Darts Championship history ended in a 7–1 statement, backed by a scorching 106.02 average. This wasn’t a close-run classic. It was a lesson.

From Setback to Savage Control

Ironically, Littler lost the opening set. That brief wobble only seemed to spark something darker and more ruthless.

From that point on, he was relentless, turning the match into a one-way street.

His opponent, 23-year-old Gian van Veen, was left chasing shadows as Littler tightened his grip on the final.

Joining the Greats Early

With two world titles already secured, Littler is now rubbing shoulders with the elite.

Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, John Part, Adrian Lewis, Peter Wright — these are the names he now keeps company with.

The scary part? He’s still only 18, and this feels very much like the beginning rather than the peak.

A Rivalry That Might Grow With Time

Van Veen may yet become a long-term foil. The pair have crossed paths before and likely will again, for years to come.

On this night, though, nothing went the Dutchman’s way.

Not even a bizarre interruption — an Ally Pally wasp drifting across the stage — could halt Littler’s momentum. The champion barely blinked.

A Champion With Perspective

Afterwards, Littler reflected with maturity beyond his years.

He paid tribute to Anthony Johnson following the tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed two lives, borrowing Johnson’s words with a smile: the first title was so good, he simply had to do it again.

The obvious question followed — how many more does he want?

From Youth Finals to World Finals

This wasn’t their first meeting on a big stage.

Just two years ago, Littler and Van Veen faced off in the World Youth Championship final at Minehead, where Littler edged it 6–4 with a ton-plus average.

Back then, few outside the darts bubble knew his name.

That anonymity didn’t last long.

The Rise Everyone Watched

Within weeks, Littler became the story of the sport. A 16-year-old debutant at Ally Pally.

A 150-1 outsider. A teenager celebrating wins with takeaway kebabs while kids begged their parents to let them stay up and watch.

He reached the final in 2024, won it in 2025, and now, in 2026, has made the event his personal playground.

Van Veen’s Tough Road Back

For Van Veen, just reaching this final was a triumph of resilience.

Once plagued by self-doubt and nearly driven from the game by dartitis, he earned his place on merit.

He started well too, taking the first set after Littler missed key doubles, and showing he belonged on this stage.

When Momentum Swung for Good

The turning point came quickly. Littler fired back with a 116 finish, then reeled in a 170 — theatrically miming a fisherman landing the Big Fish.

From there, Van Veen’s confidence ebbed.

His numbers stayed strong, hovering around the 100 mark, but Littler had shifted into a higher gear entirely.

Disruptions, Damage, and a Changed Board

The match took on a strange edge midway through.

Van Veen, clearly frustrated, cut his hand while removing darts, leaving a small stain on the board that forced officials to replace it.

It summed up his night — unlucky, uncomfortable, and always reacting to Littler rather than dictating anything himself.

A Final That Became an Exhibition

By the closing stages, the contest felt more like a showcase.

Littler even seemed to wince sympathetically when Van Veen missed a finish, before calmly marching to 6–1.

There was no malice, just inevitability.

The Perfect Ending

Needing 147 to finish it all, Littler delivered. Double 15, game over.

World champion again. £1million richer.

From a £1 toy to the summit of his sport, Luke Littler’s story keeps gathering pace — and judging by this performance, it’s nowhere near done.

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