Luke Littler reflects on becoming back-to-back Paddy Power World Darts Champion, when he made history by becoming just the fourth player to win consecutive World Championship titles.
The world number one blazed past Gian van Veen 7-1 to cap off an imperious string of displays at Alexandra Palace and lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for the second year running.
Littler joins an exclusive club of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson as the only players in PDC history to have brought home consecutive World Championship titles.
Moreover, the 18-year-old etched further history by becoming the first-ever winner of the £1 million reward for winning the World Championship, following increases to prize money across PDC events.
“It feels amazing, dreams have come true once again at Ally Pally,” said Littler, who has only lost once out of 20 games at the iconic North London venue.
“It’s special to join those greats on that list of players to go back-to-back, it’s amazing.
“We’ve put so much hard work in, and in a longer tournament this year we’ve definitely felt it - it’s been a long tournament but we’ve come out on top.
“The first winner of the £1m prize, that’s pretty special. I can treat myself to a few things now - I’m still not sure what!”
The final created further history by being the youngest-ever contested, between 18-year-old Littler and 23-year-old Van Veen.
The rapid upwards trajectory of both players - with Littler the youngest-ever world number one and World Champion, and European Champion Van Veen the new world number three and Dutch number one - suggest a changing of the guard and, in Litter’s eyes, a new rivalry.
“It’s definitely a rivalry that will come for a long time,” asserted Littler of his battles with Van Veen, as since 2025, both players have won three times against the other.
“We’ve still got Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, of course. In the Premier League, Gian and I are going to be battling it out week-in week-out. We’re only going to get better with each other.
“To see so many youngsters getting involved with the game, it means a lot. As long as I win titles, they’ll hopefully keep supporting.”
The World Champion conceded just four sets across his seven games in blasting to a second Sid Waddell trophy - only Taylor has ever conceded less.
Parallels can also be drawn from the fact that Taylor and Littler’s first three PDC World Championship campaigns had the same outcomes of runner-up, winner and winner.
Incredibly, Taylor went on to win the next six World Championships too, but the 2025/26 World Champion is not getting carried away with his success.
“You can always improve,” admitted Littler. “I was looking at statistics last night from across my three tournaments at the World Championship - 2026 is going to be another busy year.
“It’s one of those things you see scrolling on social media, people putting your stats on. I wouldn’t go and search what’s there and what’s to be broken, but people will post it and I’ll see it.
“We can see what happens. The build-up to the World Championship begins in November for me, but once it comes to the next one, I will be ready again.
“I definitely want to extend that lead at world number one. Phil was up there for several thousands of days; I just want to stay on top for as long as I can.”
Just three competitions have alluded Littler so far in his career - the World Masters, the World Cup of Darts and the European Championship.
The teenage phenom has already won 10 Premier events, but confirmed his hunger is not waning coming into his third year on the professional circuit.
“This is always what I wanted to do. I’m going to get better and keep practicing, and hopefully more titles will come in 2026,” forewarned Littler.
“The World Masters, the European Championship and the World Cup are the ones I really want. Luke Humphries will want that World Cup as well.
“As a player, you’re on your own fighting for these trophies. We will see what unfolds this year.
You can view our full video interview with Littler after his World Championship triumph here.