World Darts Championship 2026: Luke Littler thrashes Gian van Veen in remaining to retain title at Alexandra Palace

Luke Littler efficiently defended his World Darts Championship title with a 7-1 thrashing of Gian van Veen within the remaining at Alexandra Palace.

Littler turns into simply the fourth back-to-back champion alongside Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson. He’s additionally the primary since ‘The Flying Scotsman’ accomplished the feat again in 2016.

It means the 18-year-old Englishman has staggeringly nonetheless solely misplaced one match on the Ally Pally stage – the 2024 remaining towards Luke Humphries on his debut 12 months.

Littler’s ranges within the remaining had been merely sensational with a 106.02 common, 16 180s, 19 140s, a 46 per cent success fee on the doubles, seven units on the spin and a 147 checkout to seal the win summing up the expertise he’s.

The tears that then fell because the second was realised confirmed simply what it meant for Littler to realize what he has been dreaming of for 12 months.

His look within the remaining additionally made him the fourth participant to make it three world finals in a row alongside Dennis Priestley, Taylor and Anderson.

The information carry on coming too as he joins simply Taylor, John Half, Lewis, Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright in having gained the largest prize in all of darts on multiple event.

Littler lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy twice in simply three makes an attempt extends his benefit as world No 1 and is the newest image of his groundbreaking influence on the game. He’s now the holder of the World Championship, UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam and the Gamers Championship titles.

He’s additionally the primary winner of the £1m prize pot awarded to the victor at Ally Pally.

Previous to the 2026 version, the final 7-1 remaining was 17 years in the past in 2009 when Taylor cruised previous Raymond van Barneveld.

Story of the match: Littler takes out seven units on the spin

Littler reeled off an unimaginable seven units on the spin to grow to be a back-to-back champion and hold himself firmly on high of the world.

The primary set was one which noticed each gamers attempting to settle into the competition and a break every noticed Van Veen throw for the set after a stunning 116 checkout, finally clinching it on D4 as doubling barely troubled each stars.

Nevertheless, the second set was when the ultimate actually burst into life.

Each Littler and Van Veen averaged over 110 in a sensational displaying and regardless of the Dutchman taking out unimaginable 127 and 145 checkouts to assist transfer the set to a decider, Littler pinned 112 on tops to carry issues degree at one set apiece.

Littler then took issues up even additional as he made it six legs on the spin and claimed a 3-1 lead – a ‘Huge Fish’ within the deciding leg of the third set, regardless of having time on his aspect, then 116 and 112 checkouts within the fourth noticed him make Van Veen’s close to 100 common look uncompetitive in comparison with his 115.68 within the third set.

After simply 4 units, there had been a exceptional six ton-plus checkouts between the finalists.

Van Veen’s physique language began to point out his frustration and even a 137 checkout to carry his throw couldn’t cease Littler romping forward as soon as once more, Littler’s scoring together with his common over 107 setting him aside.

The Dutch No 1 was taking part in nicely however merely couldn’t maintain a candle to Littler’s scoring or doubling and including to that the actual fact he didn’t take the uncommon alternatives afforded to him, the 5-1 lead got here in double-quick time.

Needing only one set to return to again, Littler had taken out a staggering 9 legs in a row, two 180s within the remaining leg of the seventh set for the Dutchman not sufficient to assist him again into the competition.

Then, he wrapped up his second in historical past in unimaginable trend, finishing a 147 end on D15 to permit the tears to circulate and celebrations to start.

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