Luke Littler has a chance to recover a portion of his £1 million prize money from winning the PDC World Darts Championship. The 18-year-old made history by becoming the first player since Gary Anderson to secure consecutive world titles by defeating Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace.
In another impressive display, Littler defeated the Dutchman 7-1 during the tournament, marking his third consecutive appearance in the final. Setting new records in the world of darts, Littler also became the first player to claim the £1 million prize for winning the championship.
Despite the substantial prize increase from last year, with Littler also emerging victorious then, UK tax regulations will see the young champion losing nearly half of his earnings. With income tax set at the additional rate of 45%, he is expected to face a tax bill of up to £450,000, including National Insurance contributions.
However, Littler has a swift opportunity to earn more as he prepares to compete in the Bahrain Darts Masters starting on January 15. Having previously won the event in 2024 by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final and securing a £30,000 prize, Littler will return this year as a 10-time PDC major title winner.
Looking ahead to January, Littler shared his plans to participate in the Bahrain event once again, aiming to clinch the title for a second time. Subsequently, he will have a brief rest before heading to the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters starting on January 19, where he is fueled by his drive to succeed.
Expressing his ambitions, Littler mentioned his desire to win the inaugural Saudi Arabian World Series event and then enjoy a short break in Dubai with his family. As the prize money for the 2026 tournaments is yet to be announced, Littler remains focused on his goal of dominating the sport and potentially surpassing Phil Taylor’s world title record.
Reflecting on his recent achievements, Littler emphasized his determination to continue excelling in darts and strive for victory in all competitions. Sky has also introduced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering a wide range of live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Furthermore, Sky is set to broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League games next season, showcasing an increase in coverage compared to previous years.