Luke Littler has solidified his status as the undisputed king of darts, securing his second consecutive PDC World Darts Championship title with a commanding victory over Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace. The 18-year-old prodigy collected a historic £1 million prize, further cementing his dominance in a sport he is rapidly reshaping.
A New Era of Dominance
In a brutally one-sided final, Littler dismantled the challenge of the Netherlands' Gian van Veen, who many considered the world's second-best player on current form. The champion's performance was a masterclass in precision and pressure, leaving his opponent psychologically and technically denuded. Van Veen, 23, admitted that even a slight mistake against Littler was fatal, stating that leaving a finish after nine darts often meant the leg was irrevocably lost.
This victory marks Littler's 10th major trophy from just 21 attempts, a staggering strike rate for a teenager. Barry Hearn, PDC chairman, has ambitious plans to elevate the world champion's prize to £5 million within a decade, fuelled by potential Saudi investment and the sport's exploding popularity, often dubbed the 'Littler effect'.
The Relentless Pursuit of Legacy
Far from satiated, Littler immediately set his sights on building an unparalleled legacy. "I want to put down a legacy here," he declared post-match. "I want to win so many trophies. There's so many years left. We don't stop here. We keep going." When questioned about the ultimate record—Phil Taylor's 16 world titles—Littler did not dismiss the challenge. He calculated it would take another 15 or 16 years to match the 14 titles he now needs, a timeline he may not have been entirely joking about.
Comparisons to the legendary Taylor are now unavoidable. Like 'The Power', Littler possesses a devastating ability to crush opponents' spirit with relentless scoring and clinical finishing. However, their approaches diverge off the oche. Taylor was a notorious workaholic, whereas Littler practices only to maintain match sharpness. Taylor's career was famously driven by financial pursuit; for Littler, the monumental £1 million prize remains almost a secondary concern, despite earning in 43 minutes what Taylor amassed across 16 world title wins.
The Revolution He Inspired May Yet Challenge Him
Paradoxically, Littler's greatest long-term threat may stem from the very revolution his success has catalysed. A new, global generation of darting talent is emerging, inspired by his teenage triumphs. This includes figures like 15-year-old Tergel Khurelkhuu from Mongolia, who is already posting averages over 90 and became the first Asian player to top the junior world rankings.
The pipeline of talent is diverse and accelerating. Kaya Baysal from Burnley, the Junior Darts Corporation world championship runner-up, has been playing seriously for only two years. The rise of female players like Beau Greaves and Turkey's 16-year-old Lakeside girls' champion, Zehra Gemi, points to a broadening talent pool. Social media platforms like TikTok are awash with gifted teenagers streaming their practice sessions, a scene unimaginable before Littler's ascent.
The championship final, the youngest in history, fittingly served as the farewell for establishment legends like announcer John McDonald and referee George Noble. As darts expands globally—with a World Series event in Saudi Arabia this month and the championship moving to Alexandra Palace's larger Great Hall next year—the sport is being rebuilt at a furious pace. While Luke Littler's peak seems unassailable, the waters below are rising with a hungry new wave, a testament to the seismic change he has wrought.
