Luke Littler retained the PDC World Darts Championship title with a crushing 7-1 victory over Dutch rival Gian van Veen in the final at Alexandra Palace on Saturday 3 January 2026. The 18-year-old Englishman became just the fourth back-to-back world champion in PDC history, pocketing the newly-introduced £1 million top prize in the process.
What is the PDC World Darts Championship Final?
The PDC World Darts Championship is the sport’s flagship tournament, staged annually at Alexandra Palace in North London. Organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since 1994, the tournament draws 128 players from across the globe and runs over approximately two weeks, straddling Christmas and the New Year. The final is played over a best-of-13-sets format, and the winner lifts the Sid Waddell Trophy, named after the legendary commentator who died in 2012.
For the 2025/26 edition, the PDC significantly increased the prize fund, with £1 million going to the champion, making it by far the richest tournament in darts history.
When did it take place?
The final was played on the evening of Saturday 3 January 2026, with the first throw shortly after 8pm GMT. The tournament itself began on 11 December 2025 and ran across 29 sessions at Alexandra Palace.
Where was it held?
The match was staged at Alexandra Palace, known to darts fans worldwide as “Ally Pally”. The Victorian exhibition venue in Muswell Hill, North London, has been the home of the PDC World Championship since 2008. The Great Hall is configured for darts into a raucous arena seating more than 3,000 spectators, who are famously served in-venue as part of the tournament’s distinctive atmosphere.
Results
Luke Littler 7-1 Gian van Veen. Littler, the defending champion, produced one of the most dominant world final displays in recent memory to thrash his Dutch opponent. The Englishman averaged over 100 across the match and only dropped a single set in the course of his 7-1 victory. The performance confirmed Littler’s status as the best player in the world and earned him a second Sid Waddell Trophy in as many years, along with the first ever £1 million prize awarded in a darts tournament.
Background and form going in
Littler, still only 18 years old, had enjoyed a remarkable 2025, winning the Premier League, World Matchplay and the majority of the major titles on offer. He entered the World Championship as overwhelming favourite and justified that billing with a run of commanding performances. Van Veen, the 23-year-old Dutchman, was contesting his first world final after knocking out Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals and was broadly seen as the next great hope of Dutch darts.
How to Watch
In the UK, the tournament was broadcast live on Sky Sports and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. In the Netherlands, Viaplay held the broadcast rights. DAZN covered the tournament in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with PDCTV, the PDC’s own streaming platform, carrying the event for international subscribers. Fox Sports Australia showed the tournament down under.
History and Records
Littler became just the fourth back-to-back PDC World Champion after Phil Taylor (multiple times in the 1990s and 2000s), Adrian Lewis (2011 and 2012) and Gary Anderson (2015 and 2016). He also became the first ever £1 million champion of the event following the PDC’s prize-money increase. Phil Taylor still holds the record for most PDC world titles with 14, and the all-time record of 16 world titles across both darts organisations. Van Veen, despite the margin of defeat, was the first Dutchman to contest the Alexandra Palace final since Michael van Gerwen’s appearance in 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship?
Luke Littler, who beat Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final at Alexandra Palace on 3 January 2026.
When was the final played?
The final took place on Saturday 3 January 2026.
Where was the final held?
At Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill, North London.
How much did the 2026 champion win?
Luke Littler earned £1 million, the first time a darts event had offered a seven-figure top prize.
Is Luke Littler the youngest PDC World Champion?
He is the youngest ever, having become the first teenager to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy with his 2025 triumph before successfully defending the title in 2026.