Littler seals back-to-back PDC world title in dominant final at Alexandra Palace
Littler seals back-to-back PDC world title in dominant final at Alexandra Palace
18-year-old Luke Littler thrashes Gian van Veen 7-1 to clinch his second PDC World Championship, taking the £1m prize and joining darts’ elite.
In a dazzling performance at Alexandra Palace, 18-year-old Luke Littler produced a masterclass to thrash Gian van Veen 7-1 and seal the PDC World Championship for the second year running.
Littler becomes only the fourth player to win back-to-back world titles, joining Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson in that elite group. His win comes in just his third appearance at the London venue, underscoring how quickly the English teenager has risen through the ranks. The performance, built on relentless scoring and nerve, has already sparked talk that he could challenge the all-time record as he continues to chase glory.
Averages topped 106 for long stretches, finishing at 106.02, as Littler left Van Veen struggling to stay in contention. The final was sealed with a dramatic 147 checkout, followed by a roar from the crowd that had backed him throughout the match. With the £1m prize money secured, tears flowed as he accepted the Sid Waddell Trophy from cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, a moment that capped a remarkable two-year run.
Van Veen, 23, put up a brave fight and will move up to number three in the world rankings, earning a first big-stage run in the Premier League following his run to the final. While the Dutchman didn’t have the answer on the night, his performance in this event signals a bright future at the sport’s elite level. Littler’s triumph continues to fuel debates about the next era of darts greatness and whether he can keep climbing the ladder toward the best ever tallys and records.
