If we have learned one thing during Luke Littler’s procession to become darts’ first £1m man, it is that anger only makes him play better. It was evident when he took such offense to some pantomime booing earlier in the week and then again in a final that began with him furiously chastising himself after handing the first set to his Dutch opponent Gian van Veen. How did Littler react? Intense focus and perhaps the most brilliantly sustained passage of darts in any World Championship final to romp through the next seven sets and become the first player in a decade to defend the title.

A final average in excess of 106 was reminiscent of Phil Taylor at his best, even if his on-stage charisma – and an ability sometimes to polarise a crowd – is perhaps more reminiscent of Eric Bristow in his pomp. Still only 18, this was Littler’s 20th straight win in all competitions to underline a level of dominance that is beginning to compare with the greats in any sport. His set ratio during the tournament ended at an extraordinary 32-4 in his favor.

With Littler providing the sublime, the ridiculous came in the form of the Ally Pally Wasp briefly interrupting proceedings and even Van Veen spilling blood onto the board’s single five after catching his finger in the toilet door during one of the intervals. There was, though, never any danger of Littler finding the wrong red segment, with him peppering the treble 20 before sealing victory with a brilliant 147 checkout. Littler’s celebration – a huge outpouring of punched-air relief followed by tears and on-stage hugs with his mum Lisa and beautician girlfriend Faith Millar – underlined what it all meant. And perhaps also the stress he has felt in recent days.

“It’s what dreams are made of; we’re still on this rollercoaster and we’ve got to keep going, adding more titles,” said Littler, describing the £1m pay-day as “life-changing” but secondary to the Sid Waddell Trophy. The prospect of one day matching Taylor’s 16 world titles was even raised.

“I think I could if I stay around – and there’s a lot of hunger left,” he said before adding with a grin: “Fourteen to go, another 15 to 16 years I’d say. I’ll be around a long time. Anyone wants the crowd on their side. I’ll never change for anyone.”

With the YouTuber Angry Ginge, fresh from his I’m A Celebrity victory, again among the World No 1’s entourage, Littler had earlier prepared with a Margherita pizza before emerging to a booming reception for his Greenlight anthem by Pitbull.

“I’m ready to go” was ominously blaring out and, while that was a sign of things to come, the first set was actually nervy. Van Veen had won the right to throw first in the backstage “bull-off” and moved ahead after Littler missed four darts at set doubles. The consensus was that this might prove highly significant. Littler is a superb front-runner and Van Veen had seized an immediate chance to settle. Consecutive checkouts of 145 and then 127 further underlined Van Veen’s threat but the danger seemed simply to wake Littler up. Throwing his darts with visible ferocity, Littler greeted a brilliant set-saving 12-darter with a simple shrug and then cleared up a 116 finish to draw level.

It was a breathless reminder of Littler’s greatest quality; a knack of raising his level in direct proportion to the importance of a particular moment in a match. He also scores with such relentless speed that he can take a match beyond any opponent in a matter of minutes.

And what duly followed was breathtaking. A sequence of 13 leg wins out of 14, despite Van Veen averaging 100, became most interesting for whether Littler could hit a nine-darter. He began legs with a 180 or 177 on multiple occasions but the real roof-raising moment would ultimately be his “Big Fish” 170 maximum checkout in the third set. Littler gave it the full celebration, pretending to cast a fishing line out into the crowd, before reeling them back in. They responded with a booming rendition of “There’s Only One Luke Littler”. On and on it went, with Littler even trouncing Van Veen 3-0 in the seventh set when the Dutchman had a sight of a nine-dart finish himself.

“That says it all – it’s turned into an exhibition,” said Wayne Mardle on the Sky Sports commentary. “Mauled,” agreed former world champion John Part as Van Veen trudged off.

Was Littler unstoppable? “It felt like it,” conceded Van Veen.

There was also a wider narrative at work. With a combined age of 41, the finalists were 16 years younger between them than Taylor when he appeared in his last World Championship final. It is indicative of a wider transformation that began with the formation of the Junior Darts Corporation and the emergence of academies not just the length and breadth of Britain but as far afield as China, Australia and even Mongolia.

With Littler the first world champion product of the system, it is a boom that is creating a virtuous circle and broadcasters are paying ever more to underpin a structure that peaks with this first £1m World Championship first prize. That then only attracts more young people to a sport with virtually no barrier to entry. Who can beat Luke Littler? No one just now but the greatest threat will actually become those millions of children he is currently inspiring.

10:38pm

This is just the beginning of the Luke Littler era

Littler turns 19 later in the month and is already world No 1, by some distance, with two world titles and eight other PDC majors to his name. Utterly exceptional.

Gian van Veen could feasibly become his closest rival in the future, but as tonight showed, losing seven sets on the spin, he is still some way off. Nobody can get close to the Warrington wunderkind.

That’s a wrap for the 2026 World Darts Championship and our live text coverage. Sport does not get much better than these three weeks on the Ally Pally oche. Thanks for reading.

10:14pm

Most emphatic World Darts Championship final since 2009

I’ve had a look at the last time someone won by such a margin and you have to go back 17 years to when Phil Taylor beat Raymond van Barneveld 7-1. Luke Littler was approaching his second birthday.

10:11pm

‘I missed too many chances’: Gian van Veen’s reflections

The 23-year-old fought hard but was overwhelmed by Littler in the end. Still, this could be the first of many battles between two young stars.

“The scoring tonight maybe wasn’t my greatest game of the tournament and the past couple of games, I took out all my chances, today I didn’t. But as you said, Luke wasn’t in the mood to give me any more chances. He played phenomenal, he put me under pressure every leg, every set. I missed too many chances today to even make it a game. But he is a fantastic player, that’s why he is the world No 1 by a margin now.

I would have liked to lift the title and give Luke a game … but looking back at this tournament, I’m very proud to even get to the final. No 3 in the world, Dutch No 1.”

10:04pm

Littler’s family and girlfriend join him on stage

Hugs and kisses for dad Anthony Buckley, mum Lisa Littler, brother Leon Littler and girlfriend Faith Millar as they join him on stage and pose with the trophy.

Angry Ginge also gets an embrace when he heads off the oche and down the steps for the crowd.

10:00pm

Littler v Van Veen: match statistics

Phew, what a dazzling display from Luke Littler. Once the 18-year-old was ahead, there was no stopping him. He lifted his game and punished Gian van Veen at almost every opportunity, outscoring him constantly and giving him just one easy leg.

Littler has dropped just four legs in his seven matches. An insane standard.

Average

106.02 – 99.94

180s

16 – 9

140+

19 – 18

100+

42 – 39

Checkouts

46% – 38.1%

Highest checkout

170 – 145

Legs won

23 – 8

Sets

7 – 1

09:54pm

Luke Littler wants to add more titles: ‘We can’t stop here’

Final words from Luke Littler, who lifts the trophy again for the Alexandra Palace crowd.

“It’s very special. Like I said, we’ve got to keep going and adding more titles, we can’t stop here. We’re still on this rollercoaster, like I said last year and the year before.

[On being booed after beating Rob Cross] Darts is a funny old sport. That’s what happens on the day, we bounced back from that, the crowd are back on my side, I’m world champion, there is nothing more I can say.”

09:48pm

‘It feels amazing’: Luke Littler post-match thoughts

Littler thanks John McDonald and George Noble, the long-standing MC and referee who are retiring tonight and pays tribute to Anthony Joshua and his friends after their deadly crash in Nigeria.

“It feels amazing … But just like AJ said, the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice!

I started playing a bit better from the third set. I was not happy going into the break 1-0 down, I had to kick on from there. I said to myself ‘give it time, you’ll find it.’ It all came to plan. But Gian, what a tournament, he can be very happy. Every set, he was there, behind me, and I had to take my chances.

You can’t think of the trophy too much, it’s right next to you on stage but you’ve just got to keep going. And I had to, and I’ve done it.

[On the Ally Pally wasp] I’ll get Angry Ginge to sort it. I say every year, someone has to put a wasp in here, they don’t just come out of nowhere. No chance!

[On the £1 million prize] It is life-changing, even for this tournament, for anyone. It’s been doubled, but this win has increased this gap from Luke Humphries and I’m in the clear for No 1. First purchase? I don’t know, I can’t change car just yet. We’ll have to see.”

09:42pm

Littler receives the Sid Waddell Trophy as winner

Littler lifts the trophy to cheers from the crowd and cradles it in his arms as his walk-on song, Pitbull’s Greenlight, plays. He is a back-to-back world champion.

He averaged 106.02 to Van Veen’s 99.94. The Dutchman, making his first appearance in the final, did not play badly but he came up against Littler close to his best. Whether on the floor in an event in Barnsley or in front of thousands of fans at the biggest event in the sport, the 18-year-old seems to play the same.

09:36pm

Luke Littler is the world champion, beating Gian van Veen 7-1

Luke Littler is 2026 world champion, and that is how you do it. He checks out 147 on treble 20, treble 19, double 15. Phwoar. Incredible darts.

He roars and clenches his fists, punching the air.

Littler collapses with his head in his hands briefly on his darts table as the emotion hits him and runner-up Gian van Veen congratulates him warmly. He is only the fourth man to defend his title.

09:33pm

Littler (6) 2-1 (1) Van Veen*

Luke Littler is one leg from taking World Championship victory and defending his 2025 title.

He pins D6 with Van Veen miles back on 180. There is not much suspense, it just seems inevitable.

09:32pm

Littler* (6) 1-1 (1) Van Veen

A rare leg off for Littler, scoring slowly, gives Van Veen a breather and a welcome leg win. He checks-out 56 and smiles wryly to himself.

09:30pm

Littler (6) 1-0 (1) Van Veen*

Littler starts the eighth set with a maximum. If he is getting nervous, it does not look it and he may be encouraged by Van Veen’s trebleless visits and lowered head.

After a 180 from the Dutchman, 72 has to go for Littler. And it does: he finds double three after going inside on double six.

09:26pm

Littler wins seventh set 3-0 to go a set from victory

Two maximums for Van Veen yields his own nine-darter attempt. And the first one errs just into the treble five bed.

And still, the pressure is relentless. The ever high-scoring Littler pins his own maximum before Van Veen’s show-stopper effort to leave 54. The Dutchman can get off the board for the set, but he misses D18 and D9.

Littler steps up and finds single 14 and double tops for the set. Anti-freeze must run through his veins. He has turned this final into a formality, averaging 107 to Van Veen’s 101.

09:23pm

Littler (5) 2-0 (1) Van Veen*

A few whistles for Van Veen as he throws, which irks him. Littler cleans up on double tops from 64 after more missed chances for the Dutchman.

09:21pm

Littler* (5) 1-0 (1) Van Veen

Van Veen has lost five sets in a row and has to take out 110 to avoid another break of throw. He cannot even get a shot to close it out and Littler finds D10 with his third shot at the outer ring. Unerring.

Seven legs in a row, 13 of the last 14. These two throw so quickly that this could be over in the next 15 minutes.

09:19pm

Littler wins the sixth set 3-0

Littler starts off with a 180 as he has done regularly tonight. Van Veen puffs out his cheeks and throws a 59. You cannot blame him if he is feeling a little down.

Littler wins the sixth set in one of the easiest holds of the night, taking 60 in two darts. He is 5-1 up in sets and just two from victory.

Now, they are changing the darts board because of the blood on it. Referee George Noble had a word with him and the two players shared a quick chat while it was going on.

09:17pm

Littler* (4) 2-0 (1) Van Veen

There is blood on the dart board – on the five bed, seemingly from the hand of Luke Littler. Visible in every TV shot of the board.

Littler does not seem put off, missing a shot at bull for a break of throw. Van Veen has two at D16 and misses another. Littler finds the target at D5. He has been so good at making the last dart in hand count tonight. Staggering quality.

09:15pm

Littler (4) 1-0 (1) Van Veen*

Littler starts with a maximum, Van Veen a 140. And the defending champion follows it up with another. Time for a nine-darter bid…

The seventh goes into the single 20 bed, then his opponent hits his own 180. Littler misses two at double tops from 54 and Van Veen has two at double 15 himself. Both just shy of the mark.

Littler misses another, but not a fourth. A let-off. Van Veen is in danger of getting steamrolled here.

09:13pm

Why have there been so many wasp sightings?

Alexandra Palace says it is now taking “non-intrusive” methods to deal with what has become a daily wasp issue. Experts have advised that it is almost certainly multiple queen wasps, being woken from hibernation by the heat and light, rather than a nest of the more aggressive worker wasps that could be easily targeted by pest control.

It has followed multiple interruptions and sightings during this year’s tournament and now even a book has been opened by tournament sponsors Paddy Power. At four to one on, there was always limited value on the near certainty of future sightings on TV, but the 16 to one that was offered on three or more sightings has now been withdrawn by Paddy Power.

Read more from Jeremy Wilson about the “Ally Pally wasp” and why they love the World Championship oche.

09:10pm

Littler wins the fifth set 3-1

Littler is averaging 108, killing Van Veen with his scoring power, who still has a perfectly-serviceable 101.

The Dutchman cannot find a way. He is on 60, with Littler on a double. The misses his darts at D10 but finds D5. He has won four sets in a row. It is a long way back now for Gian van Veen, who is 4-1 down in sets to Littler.

09:07pm

Littler* (3) 2-1 (1) Van Veen

Littler breaks on D10. Van Veen bangs the table in frustration. Can he somehow claw this set back?

09:06pm

Littler (3) 1-1 (1) Van Veen*

An overdue 180 from Van Veen, it has been a few legs. And then, Littler pirouettes and moves around, wafting at the air. The Alexandra Palace wasp is back, flying around the oche!

It won’t leave him alone, buzzing around after he gets down to 54. The crowd are even chanting “Ally Pally wasp” for sport’s most famous insect.

Littler pins double tops, no drama there, apart from the flying stage invade.

09:03pm

Littler* (3) 0-1 (1) Van Veen

Van Veen and Littler had nigh identical averages – 100.20 v 100.15 – in that previous set, but the difference was being on throw and dazzling finishing.

The teenager is relentless in his scoring and he gets ahead of Van Veen again. He hits the outer ring going for a bullseye checkout on 122.

Van Veen has his own glorious effort to win the opening leg, going treble 19 and two double 20s. Exhibition stuff on the biggest stage of all. He has stopped the rot.

09:01pm

The crowd goes wild for Littler’s 170 finish

The Ally Pally roof was lifted with that 170 ‘Big Fish’ finish, followed by a booming rendition of ‘There’s Only One Luke Littler’. Love him or hate him, Littler is pure box office. He’s often compared to Phil Taylor but Eric Bristow is a much better point of reference for his on-stage presence and charisma.

08:57pm

Littler wins the fourth set 3-0

Van Veen’s average has dropped below three figures for this set. He chunters away at the board after a failed maximum attempt as the third dart pings into the treble one bed, a bit of negative body language.

Littler almost finishes a ton-plus checkout on D12 and then squeaks his last dart into D6. He is now 3-1 up in sets and has won nine of the last ten legs. Rapidly, this first-to-seven match is getting away from Gian van Veen.

08:55pm

Littler* (2) 2-0 (1) Van Veen

Littler wrestles control of the darts with more high scoring, getting his nose ahead, leaving 24 from 120.

129 has to go for Van Veen and it doesn’t. Littler misses two darts at D12 but the last one goes in, which is all that matters. Now he is on throw and threatens to take another set. He has won eight of the last nine legs and Van Veen has not played poorly at all.

08:53pm

Littler (2) 1-0 (1) Van Veen*

Van Veen has his own “big fish” possibility, but he misses his second dart at treble 20. Littler sees out 66 with a dart at double tops.

The 18-year-old is turning the screw, winning leg after leg. It looks like he has saved his best for the final.

08:52pm

Littler wins third set 3-1

Littler is so hard to break or out-score once he is in front. He wins the set in the best possible way – reeling in the “big fish” 170 finish. The teenager mimes an angler reeling in a big catch for the cameras.

08:51pm

Littler* (1) 2-1 (1) Van Veen

A fourth maximum helps Littler to a chance on 81 and after Van Veen misses a bullseye out, he breaks throw on treble 17 and double 12.

A big moment for this final.

08:49pm

Littler (1) 1-1 (1) Van Veen*

Any score under three figures is weak or punishable tonight, such is the level Littler and Van Veen possess.

The defending champion has a few so-so scores under 90 in a row but his opponent cannot punish him and Littler takes out 112 on D20. That was an opportunity missed for Van Veen.

08:47pm

Littler* (1) 0-1 (1) Van Veen

Littler averaged 110 in that second set, Van Veen a mere 109.

The No 1 seed is out of the blocks faster with another maximum, Van Veen responds 30 seconds later with his own. He gets down to double tops from a tremendous 136 shot and wins the leg there with his first dart. Nerveless.

08:43pm

Luke Littler wins the second set 3-2

Littler finds 177 to start and moves ahead on throw, despite a trebleless visit.

Van Veen is off his best and Littler wins the leg and set on D20, checking out 116.

1-1 in sets. This could be setting a tone for a ding-dong final.

There was some stunned crowd silence as Van Veen went two up, but he has been pegged back. Littler showing all his resilience and quality.

08:41pm

Littler* (0) 2-2 (1) Van Veen

Luke Littler hits a maximum to start and follows up with two more treble 20s before finding the treble one beg. Still, Van Veen is finding 140s and it will take something special from the 18-year-old.

Van Veen wires his check-out on D8 down from 127. That would have been insane.

Littler misses his first at double tops, but breaks back on D10. Sublime darts, another decider ahead for the set.

08:39pm

Littler (0) 1-2 (1) Van Veen*

Littler steadies the ship by winning the leg, although he misses a ton-plus checkout on D16. He finds D8 well enough.

08:38pm

Littler* (0) 0-2 (1) Van Veen

Five of Littler’s first six darts are perfect, but Van Veen is scoring so highly that he struggles to find an opening.

With 127 left, Van Veen finds treble 20, treble 17 and double eight for another ton-plus checkout. Incredible darts! And that is four legs on the bounce. Littler is not even playing badly, but he is getting bullied here.

08:36pm

Littler (0) 0-1 (1) Van Veen*

A few 17-dart legs at the end to nab that opening set for Van Veen. He finds his first maximum to pressurise Littler mid-leg, who comes back with 177.

Tremendous darts from Van Veen, finishing 145 on double 14 for a break of throw. Wow, Littler needs to step his game up here.

08:33pm

A rapturous reception for the two finalists

Great reception for Gian van Veen … it’s much louder still for Luke Littler – some brief pantomime stuff when he first appeared but overwhelmingly positive and applause back from Littler.

08:31pm

Van Veen wins first set 3-2

Littler’s first three darts of the leg give us the final’s first maximum. Good timing.

Van Veen is on 170 with Littler on 81. He pins two treble 20s… but the bullseye effort only finds the outer ring. Very close.

However, the defending champion cannot find a treble and Van Veen hits nine to bring up two darts at double eight. And he misses both.

Littler has three at double – and he misses inside at D20 and then two at D10. At last, Van Veen gets over the line, taking the set on D4. First blood to the 23-year-old.

08:28pm

Littler* (0) 2-2 (0) Van Veen

Van Veen pins three treble 18s to heap the pressure on Littler, who has a blip in reply, only managing 70. He has a few errant darts sailing into the single five bed rather than the 20 this leg, hurting his scoring.

The Dutchman edges ahead and has a dart at bullseye from 89, hitting the outer ring. Littler misses a solitary one at double five.

Van Veen finds double eight and we have a decider. Back on throw.

08:26pm

Littler* (0) 2-1 (0) Van Veen

Van Veen scores ponderously and Littler roars ahead with a few 140s and gets down to 40 with Van Veen not even on a three-dart out.

He takes at double 20 like he could do it with his eyes shut to break throw. He will throw for the set.

Still no maximums yet, mind.

08:24pm

Littler (0) 1-1 (0) Van Veen*

Luke Littler has a dart at bullseye for a big out but cleans up on double 10. The defending champion is off the board.

08:23pm

Luke Littler* (denotes next throw) (0) 0-1 (0) Gian van Veen

Van Veen starts with a pair of 140s, Littler 100 and 140.

First blood to the Dutchman, taking out 116 at the first time of asking on double tops. A 12-dart leg, how is that for a nerve-settler? Both men are straight into their rhythm.

08:21pm

The players walk on

Gian van Veen waves to the crowd as he enters to Astronomia.

“The reigning and defending champion of the wooooooooorld,” John McDonald delivers his last, spine-tingling MC walk-on cue before retiring and Littler takes centre stage.

He applauds the audience and looks like he had a nice word for long-standing referee George Noble on-stage, who is also bowing out after tonight. Here we go, Van Veen to throw first…

08:18pm

Comedy royalty also in the house

08:16pm

Littler has a celebrity in his corner

Angry Ginge of YouTube and I’m A Celebrity fame is again among those fans waiting inside Ally Pally on the table with Luke Littler’s family and friends. He’s got his Luke ‘The Nuke’ shirt on.

08:15pm

Littler favourite with the pundits

There could be nerves for Gian van Veen, who has never been in a final of this magnitude.

“If he wins one of the first three sets, he will be absolutely fine. I wouldn’t want to see him go 3-0 down,” Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle says.

Score predictions? Mardle opts for 7-4 to Luke Littler, Mark Webster expects 7-5 to the defending champion, while John Part picks Van Veen to win 7-5.

08:12pm

Luke Littler’s pre-match thoughts

“It’s all about chilling out. I think there’s been a few nerves in the household. For me, I’ve been here before, I’ve lost the final and won it before so hopefully we can go back-to-back tonight.

I think the record [between us in 2025] is 3-3 as it stands: we always put in good performances for ourselves, for the fans.

[Thinking about the £1 million prize?] Not really because at the end of the day, the trophy is on the stage, not the money. But I’m fully focused on tonight and I’m ready for it.”

08:06pm

The atmosphere is building, with Littler and Van Veen walking out in 10 minutes

08:03pm

Littler battling the boos

The man who has YouTuber Angry Ginge in his entourage went on a bit of an angry whinge at the “hostile” crowd after being jeered during his fourth round win over Rob Cross.

“Nobody wanted me to win, but I proved them wrong,” he said. Roaring and red-faced, we have not seen Littler react like that on the biggest stage before.

However, it seemed to be more a symptom of an audience who perennially cheer for underdogs or simply want a longer night at the darts than any deep-seated anti-Littler sentiment. Against Ryan Searle and Krzysztof Ratajski, there has not been the same reaction or anything like similar ire from the teenager. An interesting sub-plot nevertheless, and all part and parcel of being a generational darts champion.

07:56pm

Gian van Veen will throw first

First blood to the Dutchman and gives him a better chance of winning the first set. Could be important if this match goes all the way to a decider too.

07:53pm

Darts will not sound quite the same without MC John McDonald

We are expecting the players out somewhere around 8.15pm tonight for the last big walk-on for the announcer John McDonald, a former paratrooper who was once also Margaret Thatcher’s photographer. He has been introducing the players for the PDC World Championship since 2004.

First up on stage tonight will actually also not be Luke Littler or Gian van Veen, but Curtis Griffiths, a 27-year-old electrician from Wrexham, who will have the chance to win a life-changing £180,000.

Griffiths will need to throw a score of 180+ in nine darts to win the prize after being randomly chosen from 30,000 entrants into Darts of Destiny, a Paddy Power campaign raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.

07:49pm

Not Littler and Van Veen’s first meeting for a world title

Back in November 2023 at Butlins Minehead, the pair played for the PDC World Youth Championship. Van Veen had a dart to make it a last-leg decider, but Littler prevailed 6-4.

Back then, as a 16-year-old, he “only” averaged 102. Rookie numbers.

07:44pm

Keith Deller ain’t afraid of no Ghostbusters

The fan village – which is situated in a huge wide open space adjacent to the main arena – has also been brilliantly designed by the PDC. It is like a darts playground, with various beer and food stalls, alongside non-stop music and games, notably the chance to play 1983 champion Keith Deller over three darts for a cash prize.

Not too many succeeding; Deller just put away a trio of punters dressed as Ghostbusters without needing to score more than 60.

07:42pm

Van Veen the dartitis-battling underdog

Van Veen’s presence in the final is not a shock; he started this tournament as third favourite.

But if Littler embodies innate talent – it is easy to imagine the Warrington whizz as a natural who was scoring 180s while still in nappies – Van Veen’s journey to this point is more about perseverance and pain.

When he joined the PDC in 2023, he struggled with “dartitis”, a psychological condition where the player releases the dart later than the intended moment, akin to the yips in golf. The affliction has wrecked some past stars’ careers.

Van Veen has come through it now, but he occasionally performs a “ghost throw” of an invisible dart to loosen up his arm, a by-product of a fight which dented his confidence and earliest years on tour.

“Three or four years ago, I was in Barnsley, struggling with darts and crying at the table,” Van Veen said after winning yesterday’s semi-final against Gary Anderson. “Now look at me four years later. It has all been worth it.”

07:37pm

The hottest ticket in town

Very much the calm before the storm here – most of the 3,500 capacity have been in the fan village but it is filling up now and a great atmosphere already.

A slightly different story outside, where ticket touts are being moved on by security to varying success. They could have sold out Ally Pally many times over tonight, and for the vast majority of sessions, hence the move to a 5,000+ capacity room at the same venue next year.

07:32pm

Littler leads Ballon d’Art standings

Yes, it is a thing, no sniggering at the back. Since 2024, it has been awarded to the player who hits the most 180s, invariably a finalist.

Currently, Gary Anderson is top of the standings with 59, but Littler is almost certain to surpass him, having hit 57. The teenager will do well to surpass his winning tally of 76 from twelve months ago, though. (Van Veen is third with 48.)

Additionally, seeing as 1,102 maximums have been hit so far in the tournament, tournament sponsor Paddy Power will donate over £1.1 million to Prostate Cancer UK.

07:26pm

Van Veen’s route to the final

If there is one small criticism to level at Van Veen, it is that he has brief blips. As you can see, he has conceded sets against every opponent – and Littler is certainly not a man to whom who he should be gifting easy legs.

However, his scoring is right up there. The Dutchman can boast the tournament’s best average, with 108.28 on the way to sending Alan Soutar home in round two.

First round

– beat Cristo Reyes 3-1

Second round

– beat Alan Soutar 3-1

Third round

– beat Madars Razma 4-1

Fourth round

– beat Charlie Manby 4-1

Quarter-finals

– beat Luke Humphries 5-1

Semi-finals

– beat Gary Anderson 6