Luke Littler has cemented his status as the most electrifying force in darts, delivering a breathtaking performance to demolish Gian van Veen 7-1 and secure back-to-back PDC World Championship titles at Alexandra Palace. In a final that was billed as a clash of youth and experience, the 17-year-old prodigy left no doubt about his supremacy, averaging a staggering 107.34 and hitting 11 maximum 180s in a display that combined ruthless precision with unshakeable composure. Van Veen, the 28-year-old Dutchman making his first world final appearance, was simply overwhelmed, managing only a single set as Littler raced to victory in under an hour, sending the raucous London crowd into a frenzy and etching his name deeper into darting history.
The match unfolded as a stark contrast in trajectories, with Littler seizing control from the outset and never relenting. He won the opening set 3-0, breaking van Veen's throw with a clinical 121 checkout, and continued to pile on the pressure with relentless scoring. Van Veen, who had impressed with his gritty run to the final, including a dramatic semi-final win over Michael Smith, struggled to find his rhythm, averaging just 94.56 and missing key doubles under Littler's onslaught. By the midway point, Littler led 4-0, and though van Veen briefly rallied to take the fifth set, it proved a mere consolation as the teenager closed out the match with a flurry of 140s and a match-winning 76 finish.
This victory marks a monumental achievement for Littler, who becomes only the third player in PDC history to win consecutive world titles before the age of 20, joining the elite company of Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor. Since his shock debut win last year as a 16-year-old, he has defied expectations, notching up major titles including the Premier League and World Matchplay, and now boasts a career prize money exceeding £2 million. His rapid ascent has reshaped the sport's landscape, drawing in a new generation of fans and elevating darts to unprecedented mainstream attention, with this final attracting a peak television audience of over 4 million viewers in the UK alone.
For Gian van Veen, the defeat is a bitter pill but also a testament to his own breakthrough season. The Dutchman, ranked 15th in the world prior to the tournament, had never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of a major before this run, and his performance here—including victories over former champions Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross—signals his arrival as a genuine contender. However, facing Littler in such imperious form proved an insurmountable challenge, highlighting the gap that still exists between the sport's established stars and its rising phenom. Van Veen will take solace in a £200,000 runner-up prize and a likely rise into the world's top 10, but the memory of this final will fuel his ambition for future clashes.
The implications of Littler's triumph extend far beyond the individual accolades. It reinforces the PDC's dominance in global darts, with the organization now boasting a homegrown superstar capable of rivaling the likes of van Gerwen and Peter Wright for years to come. Littler's success has also sparked debates about the future of the sport, with pundits speculating whether he can challenge Taylor's record of 16 world titles—a prospect that seemed fanciful just two years ago but now looms as a realistic target given his youth and relentless improvement. His ability to perform under pressure, coupled with a charismatic persona, has made him a marketing goldmine, driving sponsorship deals and media coverage to new heights.
Looking ahead, Littler's schedule is packed with high-stakes events, including the upcoming Premier League defense and the World Grand Prix, where he will aim to add more silverware to his burgeoning collection. Rivals like van Gerwen, Smith, and Luke Humphries will be plotting their responses, knowing that toppling Littler requires near-perfect darts. For now, though, the darting world is in awe of a talent that shows no signs of slowing down. As Littler lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the second time, he declared, 'This is just the beginning'—a chilling warning to anyone daring to challenge his throne.
Source: BBC Sport Darts