Luke Littler has firmly established himself as one of darts’ brightest talents, reaching his third consecutive World Championship final with a commanding 6-1 victory over Ryan Searle. The 18-year-old prodigy is now poised to take on Gian van Veen in Saturday night’s final, with the chance to claim his second straight Sid Waddell Trophy.
Few would bet against Littler lifting the title once more, which would make him the first player to defend the World Championship crown since Gary Anderson a decade ago. His dominance in the sport echoes the legendary eras of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. Littler himself is cautiously optimistic about joining their ranks.
“Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen were absolutely unbelievable,” Littler reflected. “I was watching them as a kid. With what I’ve achieved so far—the titles, the averages, the nine-darters on TV—I feel I’m playing at a comparable level. Maybe if I win tomorrow, I might truly be on their level.
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“I never say I’m going to win, because darts can change on any day. But I absolutely believe I can.”
If Littler clinches the championship, he stands to make history with a record-breaking £1 million prize. Despite the tempting pay-off, his focus remains on the trophy. “The money is massive, but it’s the trophy on the stage that matters,” he said. “I’ve had a dream of going back-to-back ever since the Grand Slam, and now I’m closer than ever.”
On the other side of the stage, Gian van Veen has surged into the spotlight by defeating Gary Anderson in a thrilling semi-final that ended 6-3. The match was a fiercely contested battle, with both players averaging over 102 points and hitting remarkable finishes, including 170 checkouts. Anderson landed more 180s, but it was van Veen’s clinical finishing that secured him the win.
The rising Dutch star, who recently claimed the PDC Youth World Championship, is now just one victory away from his first senior world title, joining the ranks of illustrious countrymen, Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen. At 23, van Veen’s breakthrough year has been remarkable.
“I’m so happy,” van Veen stated after the match. “A few years ago, I was struggling with dartitis and even cried at the table. To be here now, on the biggest stage, it’s all been worth it.”
The final promises to be a classic clash between two of darts’ most exciting young players as Luke Littler aims to cement his growing legacy and van Veen seeks to capture his maiden world championship.