2026 Darts World Championship Review: Littler, Van Veen and a Tournament to Remember

Shire Marketing
Jan 6
3 min read

The 2026 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace delivered unforgettable drama, historic moments and standout performances that will be talked about all year. With a record prize fund and a packed 128-player field, this edition of the tournament had everything from big upsets to dominant displays - the perfect backdrop for darts parties, pubs and Drink Sports-style viewing fun.

Littler Makes History with Back-to-Back Titles

At just 18 years old, Luke Littler confirmed his status as the sport’s hottest talent by retaining his World Championship title, beating Gian van Veen 7–1 in the final. Littler’s performance was utterly commanding - he rebounded from losing the opening set to win seven straight, finishing with a stunning 147 checkout and multiple 180s. He also became the first player since 2016 to successfully defend the world title and the first to win the £1 million top prize in the history of the event.

This final was one of the youngest in history, with Littler and van Veen combining for a youthful matchup that felt like the start of a new era in darts.

Breakout Star: Gian van Veen

Dutch contender Gian van Veen was one of the biggest stories of the tournament. This was his first World Championship final, and he reached it with a series of impressive wins — including a 5–1 victory over Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals and a 6–3 semi-final win over two-time champion Gary Anderson. Despite the tough final result, van Veen’s run announced him as a future star.

Early Upsets & Surprises

The 2026 Championships weren’t all smooth runs for favourites:

Gerwyn Price, a perennial contender, suffered a shock early exit in the second round, a result many fans didn’t see coming.
Wesley Plaisier delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating Price, calling it the highlight of his career.
Justin Hood was iconic throughout, bringing true Ally Pally spirit to the stage and a stunning game against Noppert.

Thrillers & Comebacks

Other memorable matches included:

Michael van Gerwen surviving a scare against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami in a thrilling session that pushed the Dutch legend closer than expected.
Debutants David Munyua and Motomu Sakai electrifying the Alexandra Palace crowd with dynamic performances earlier in the tournament.

Atmosphere & Legacy

The 2026 Championships rekindled the classic Ally Pally atmosphere — packed crowds, passionate supporters and walk-on music that transformed the venue into a carnival of noise and colour. With players like Littler and van Veen at the forefront, this year’s event felt like a passing of the torch in darts while still celebrating era-defining veterans.

Legendary figures also made headlines off the oche: long-time master of ceremonies John McDonald retired immediately after the final, ending a 22-year chapter in darts history.