Luke Littler didn’t just win the final of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship — he delivered a performance for the ages. In front of a frenzied Alexandra Palace crowd, the 18-year-old defended his world title in emphatic fashion, defeating Gian van Veen 7–1 in sets to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy back-to-back.

Van Veen struck first, taking the opening set with a clinical 116 finish. For a brief moment, it looked as if the Dutchman might drag the favourite into a real battle. Instead, that early blow appeared to ignite Littler. From that point on, the reigning champion took complete control of the match.

Littler piled on the pressure with relentless scoring, consistently heavy visits and ruthless efficiency on the doubles. What followed was a dominant run of sets that turned the world final into a one-sided affair. Rather than isolated flashes of brilliance, the match became a continuous highlight reel.

One moment stood out above the rest: Littler’s spectacular 170 checkout — a finish that perfectly captured the confidence and swagger with which he played once he hit top gear. Van Veen continued to fight, but Littler’s pace and precision left little room for belief.

The final scoreline told its own story. This was Luke Littler at his absolute peak — setting a new benchmark for the sport and underlining his status as the man everyone must now chase, having conquered the world stage back-to-back.