Luke Littler became the first player to win back-to-back PDC World Darts Championships in a decade, picking up a second successive title with a win over Gian van Veen.
Luke Littler made history once again as the 18-year-old won his second PDC World Darts Championship with a 7-1 thrashing of Gian van Veen. It was the youngster’s third time in the competition, each of which he has managed to make it all the way to the final, underlining his dominance so early in his career.
Given how the teenager was thrown into the spotlight so quickly with his performance levels against those many years his senior, there has naturally been a need for strong support around him. At each match, there has been the guidance of his parents, as well as the support of other friends and family.
Social media influencer and ‘King of the Jungle’ Angry Ginge was seen in attendance across another historic run through the World Darts Championship, cheering on from Littler’s corner. He was also alongside the world No.1’s girlfriend, Faith Miller, who has been spotted here and there throughout the tournament.
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All of those familiar faces were seen in the Ally Pally crowd, celebrating the triumph, but they also had their moment to congratulate the two-time champion behind the scenes as well. The Littler team were recorded showing their support around a setup they had organised, welcoming in the star to chants of: “Championes, championes, ole, ole ole.”
His girlfriend, Faith, was the first to rush over and congratulate Littler, with a hug and a kiss, while the champion was also seen wiping a tear off her face. It says it all about the support that the darting sensation has behind him, which has been needed through his rise to the top.
There have been challenges throughout his time on the world stage, from bursting on to the scene in 2024 – where all eyes were on him – to the latest win in 2026, where there are those who are waiting for him to fall. The teenager’s first run to the final saw him defeated by Luke Humphries, but it was a sign of things to come, as he looked to establish himself.
Littler’s triumph over Michael van Gerwen in 2025 set him up for a historic year during which he continued to sweep up wins in several tournaments. There was one clear ambition, however, which was to ensure he was crowned as the world champion, once again, which he achieved in the 2026 edition.
While it was done at a canter in the end, there was a moment that sparked doubt when Littler was seen getting angry at the crowd during his clash with Rob Cross. While ‘The Nuke’ won the encounter, he lashed out at the Ally Pally support, claiming he was “not bothered”, while taking a jab at them about the prize money they helped contribute towards.
The support around him will no doubt have been crucial in keeping him focused on the task at hand, while the crowd at Ally Pally seemed to get right behind him again. “It feels amazing. It’s what dreams are made of,” Littler said after finally claiming his second Worlds crown.
“Nothing will ever beat a first world title for anyone in any sport, because that’s the first time you’ve done it. But this was all about retaining it, bringing it back home with me for another 11 or 12 months, and adding my name to the list of players to go back-to-back. It’s a very short list, but I’m on it.”
For van Veen, meanwhile, it was a crushing blow in his first appearance at that stage of the tournament, but it’s something for him to build upon. “Not the outcome I wanted, of course,” the new Dutch No.1 told the press after the match.
“I said before the game that I wanted to win this title, but first of all I wanted to give Luke a game, because he’s a fantastic player. I wanted it to be close, because I knew if it was close, I’d have a chance. That didn’t happen today.”
It isn’t the first and – probably – won’t be the last time that Littler and van Veen will be meeting on the biggest of stages in the sport. With van Veen now breaking into the top-three on the order of merit, he’s also now looking at a place in the Premier League, and an opportunity to continue mixing with the best in the world.
It all sets up another intriguing year ahead, as every player looks to break Littler’s spell of dominance at the very top.
