Luke Littler produced a scintillating display to defeat Gian van Veen and retain the Paddy Power World Darts Championship title on Saturday evening, becoming the first million pound World Champion on a night of history at Alexandra Palace.
Littler emulated Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson by becoming the fourth player to retain the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy, averaging 106 to dispatch Dutch star Van Veen 7-1 in just over 43 minutes of play.
The world number one - featuring in his third consecutive World Championship final - produced a darting masterclass in the capital, crashing in 16 maximums and pinning 46% of his attempts at double to cap off a mesmerising performance.
Van Veen drew first blood after surviving four set darts in a dramatic opening stanza, before moving to the cusp of a two-set lead with consecutive 145 and 127 finishes.
However, Littler - courtesy of a clinical 116 combination - completed the turnaround to level at one apiece, before following up a 116 checkout and an 11-darter with a sensational 170 finish to move 2-1 ahead.
The 18-year-old extended his winning run with a hat-trick of 15-darters in the fourth, and although Van Veen halted Littler’s charge with a sublime top-tops 137 to open set five, this only provided the Dutchman with temporary respite.
Littler produced another six-leg burst to extend his lead to 5-1, and Van Veen was unable to thwart the teenager’s relentless charge, wiring double 16 for a 146 rot-stopper midway through set seven.
The Dutchman then fired in six perfect darts as he fought to halt Littler’s march towards victory, but the Warrington wonderkid wasn’t to be denied, firing in an 11-dart break to edge closer to glory at 6-1.
Littler then moved to the brink of victory with a 14-dart hold midway through set eight, before sealing the deal in sensational style, following up his 16th maximum with a magnificent 147 finish culminating on double 15.
“This feels amazing,” reflected Littler, who also overcame Darius Labanauskas, David Davies, Mensur Suljovic, Rob Cross, Krzysztof Ratajski and Ryan Searle on his way to the title.
“I wasn’t happy going into the first break at 1-0 down, but I had to kick on from there, and it came all together.
“Gian - what a tournament he had. He can be very proud of himself. In every set he was there, right behind me, so I had to take my chances.
“To win a million pounds - it is absolutely life-changing, and this win increases the gap between myself and Luke Humphries, so I’m further clear now as world number one.
“This is very special, but I’ve got to keep going. I want to keep adding more titles. I can’t stop here; I’m still on this rollercoaster!”
Van Veen succeeded Michael van Gerwen in becoming the new Dutch number one following his remarkable run at Alexandra Palace, dumping out former champions Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson in the process.
The 23-year-old was bidding to follow in the footsteps of Van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld by becoming the third Dutchman to win the sport’s biggest prize, but he was proud of his exploits over the last month.
“I’m obviously disappointed because I would have loved to lift this title, but I’m very proud to make the final,” insisted Van Veen, the two-time reigning World Youth Champion.
“In the last few games I took all of my chances, and tonight I didn’t, but Luke was phenomenal. He put me under pressure in every single leg.
“Luke is a fantastic player. That’s why he’s the world number one and the back-to-back World Champion.
“I’m the Dutch number one now, so I’m very proud of myself, but obviously I’m disappointed with the result today.
“Looking back at this tournament, I’m very, very proud of what I’ve achieved, and hopefully 2026 is going to be a fantastic year."
Littler now becomes just the seventh player to win multiple World Championship titles, joining Taylor, Lewis, Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and John Part in that decorated club, after conceding just four sets across the tournament.
Van Veen, meanwhile, has catapulted himself up to third on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder after featuring in his second televised ranking final and scooping the £400,000 runner-up prize.
Click here for match stats & results.
2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Saturday January 3
Final
Luke Littler 7-1 Gian van Veen (2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
Set One (Littler 2-3 Van Veen)
Van Veen kicked off proceedings with a clinical 116 checkout and a 12-darter, before Littler seized control of the opening stanza. However, the world number one spurned four darts across the next two legs, and Van Veen capitalised to draw first blood.
Set Two (Littler 3-2 Van Veen)
That was incredible! Van Veen moved to the cusp of a two-set lead with successive 145 and 127 finishes, only to miss double eight for another ton-plus checkout, and Littler duly turned the set around, following up legs of 14 and 12 darts with a 116 combination to level.
Set Three (Littler 3-1 Van Veen)
It's another astonishing three-leg burst from Littler. Van Veen opened his account with a 13-darter on tops, only for Littler to produce a 112 leveller, followed by an 11-dart break and a 170 checkout - his second of the tournament.
Set Four (Littler 3-0 Van Veen)
Littler completed a clean sweep in set four to establish a 3-1 cushion, producing a hat-trick of 15-dart legs to extend his winning run to six legs.
Set Five (Littler 3-1 Van Veen)
Van Veen halted Littler's charge with a sublime tops-tops 137 finish, although this only provided a temporary reprieve, as Littler rattled off another three legs on the spin to stretch his advantage to 4-1.
Set Six (Littler 3-0 Van Veen)
Littler's relentless brilliance continued in the sixth stanza. The reigning champion opened it up with back-to-back 180s, and although Van Veen had opportunities at double early in the set, he was unable to take them and was royally punished.
Set Seven (Littler 3-0 Van Veen)
Another extraordinary set from Luke Littler. Van Veen wired double 16 for a 146 checkout to level the seventh set, and despite kicking off leg three with back-to-back 180s, he lost the leg as Littler crashed in an 11-darter to move a set away from glory.
Set Eight (Littler 3-1 Van Veen)
Following back-to-back holds to kick off the eighth set, Littler moved to the brink of victory with a 14-dart hold, before following up his sixteenth 180 with a majestic 147 checkout to seal the deal in style.