Get Involvedpublished at 20:07 GMT 3 January
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Let’s enjoy John McDonald announcing the players tonight before he retires. End of an era!!
Mallen, Brighton
Summary
Luke Littler beats Gian van Veen 7-1 to win second PDC World Championship title
World number one Littler, 18, becomes first player to successfully defend title since Gary Anderson in 2016
Van Veen was appearing in first World Championship final
Littler wins £1m first prize at Alexandra Palace, London
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get involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:07 GMT 3 January
The prizepublished at 20:06 GMT 3 January
Whose name will be etched onto the Sid Waddell Trophy later this evening?
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 20:04 GMT 3 January
Sam Drury
BBC Sport at Alexandra PalaceThe main arena is starting to fill up as the walk-ons get closer.
We've seen the first darts of the night thrown already though with the tournament sponsor giving one lucky fan the chance to win £180k.
He had nine darts to score 180... and managed 89.
Still, the consolation prize of £5k isn't too bad!
Image source, BBC SportRetiring duo inducted into PDC Hall of Famepublished at 20:02 GMT 3 January
Image source, Getty ImagesDarts will say farewell to MC John McDonald and referee George Noble, who are both retiring after tonight's final.
Both have been inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in recognition of their long service to the sport.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter said: "We are incredibly grateful to John and George for their contributions, not just to the PDC but to darts in general, and their induction into the Hall of Fame recognises their enormous impact on the sport."
'If he can conquer that, he can conquer everything'published at 20:00 GMT 3 January
Littler v Van Veen
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky SportsOn Gian van Veen's battle with dartitis...
He [Gian van Veen] was really down with it and he was struggling. He's got everything and he knows if he can conquer that, he can conquer everything.
'Seems like Littler has more gears to go through'published at 19:57 GMT 3 January
Littler v Van Veen
Kevin Painter
PDC World Championship runner-up on BBC Radio 5 LiveI don't think too many people are surprised that Luke Littler has got to the final again.
He has done it without looking like he has broken into second, third or fourth gear.
It seems like he's got more gears to go through and we know he can play a lot better than he has been.
Image source, PA Media'I have spent times driving in the countryside shouting scores'published at 19:55 GMT 3 January
Naomi de Souza
BBC NewsbeatAs we prepare for the 2026 PDC World Championship final to get under way, BBC Newsbeat's been hearing from one young referee who has fulfilled a childhood dream.
"I never really wanted to be a player, I knew I wasn't going to be good enough, but I knew I wanted to be a referee even more," said Owen Binks.
The 28-year-old is lending his eye for arrows to broadcasters at this year's World Championship, working as a spotter in the production room.
It is Owen's job to tell the director where to point the cameras as each competitor takes their throw.
The gig is a lifelong goal for Owen, who went through 21 jobs - including collecting supermarket trolleys and working in a call centre - before landing a full-time role in darts.
He says his ADHD made conventional jobs difficult - but saw him excel in darts.
"The main thing about refereeing is the numbers," said Owen. "We've got to get the numbers right, also you get problems on stage when players may have something going on, or you have to deal with the crowd.
"One thing I've found the hardest is getting my voice right, that's probably the one thing I have practised the most over the years.
"I have spent times driving in the countryside shouting scores."
'The word world is now a big part of this event'published at 19:52 GMT 3 January
Favourite moment of 2026 PDC World Championship
Matthew Edgar
Former PDC professional on BBC Radio 5 LiveThe best part of the World Championship has been the word "world".
When we think about World Championships it has tended to be dominated by the UK players or players from Germany or the Netherlands. We haven't really had that international flavour.
Whereas this year we've seen nations coming here, winning games and competing against seasoned, established professionals.
For me, the word "world" is now a big part of this event. We've seen the investment from the PDC to continue that development and I think we'll see more globalisation of this event moving forward.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:50 GMT 3 January
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At the very beginning of the tournament, I was rooting for Littler, but also said that if he doesn't win it, then my next pick would be GVV! Guess I'm going to be happy either way!
Carl, Knoxville
I predict a close and high quality final tonight but I think Littler has an extra sprinkling of genius that he will use to get the win. 7-5 Littler.
Matt, Uxbridge
Littler vs Van Veen: It's going to be epic. As a Dutch guy living in the UK I can cheer both ways 😉
Jan, Dumfries
What are the provisional world rankings?published at 19:48 GMT 3 January
Luke Littler will remain world number one, regardless of tonight's result. Gian van Veen will climb to a career-high second spot if he wins.
The PDC world rankings are calculated by adding together the prize money that a player earns from ranking events over a two-year rolling period.
The totals in the table below include the £400,000 that both Littler and Van Veen have earned by reaching the final. Tonight's winner will earn an additional £600,000 in prize money.
Provisional rankings correct as of 2 January.
'Van Gerwen will want to overtake Van Veen again'published at 19:45 GMT 3 January
Littler v Van Veen
Kevin Painter
PDC World Championship runner-up on BBC Radio 5 LiveMichael van Gerwen won't like being replaced as Dutch number one by Gian van Veen because of his mentality.
Michael has had some problems recently but he'll want to come back and prove he is number one. That will annoy him.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:43 GMT 3 January
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Really love GVV. Upbeat character. Seems like a top bloke, like a humble potato in a tungsten sauce. Think he'll do Littler with some big outs tonight.
Sammo, Shepton
Postpublished at 19:41 GMT 3 January
Whatever tonight's result, Gian van Veen is guaranteed to be at least third in the PDC world rankings and will make his Premier League debut next month.
As a result, Luke Littler expects the 23-year-old Dutchman to throw with freedom...
'Van Veen is the real deal'published at 19:39 GMT 3 January
Littler v Van Veen
Matthew Edgar
Former PDC professional on BBC Radio 5 LiveI was excited about Gian van Veen a couple of months ago. We were asking 'where is he going to go, what is his career going to do?'
If we go back a couple of years he was losing in the first round of Challenge Tours and struggling to throw his darts.
What a journey he's been on where he's accelerated to catch the eye.
The big question is: Can he take those big steps? The victory over Luke Humphries at the World Matchplay was the moment where you say right, Gian van Veen is the real deal.
He backed it up with a win over Luke Littler on the European Tour as well, and then the big coming-of-age moment was picking up the European title. That was the moment we should have all taken note and said 'this is a serious contender'.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:37 GMT 3 January
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I remember watching the Youth final between Luke and Gian three years ago and was blown away by both of their play. They hit so many 180s and thought they would both go far. Wish I had put a few quid on them reaching the PDC final three years later. Great to see darts reaching a whole new audience and more youngsters taking up the arrows. Good luck to them both.
Paul, Buckinghamshire
Littler is going to become an all-time great.
Alan, East Linton
Postpublished at 19:35 GMT 3 January
Gian van Veen lost to Luke Littler in a World Youth Championship final late in 2023, a couple of months before Littler announced himself onto the world stage by reaching the world final as a 16-year-old.
Van Veen got the better of Littler on three occasions in 2025 - twice on the Euro Tour and once in a Players Championship event - while Littler knocked Van Veen out of the UK Open and the World Grand Prix.
MVG wishes Littler and Van Veen luckpublished at 19:33 GMT 3 January
Littler v Van Veen
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen posted on X to wish both Luke Littler and compatriot Gian van Veen luck for tonight's final.
"Tonight, two exceptional talents step onto the biggest stage of our sport. Luke, the chance to go back-to-back as World Champion is something very few ever get to experience. Respect for what you’ve already achieved and for how you carry yourself at such a young age.
"Gian, watching you grow into the player you are today makes me incredibly proud. If the next Dutch World Champion carries your name, the future of our sport at home is in very good hands. Enjoy every second of it, stay true to yourselves, and let the darts do the talking. The stage is yours. Good luck to you both."
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:31 GMT 3 January
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The first time I ever cheered out loud watching darts was when Tatsunami went ahead v Van Gerwen in the first round. Darts needs more characters like him!
Mark, Newcastle
Of course, the Iconic Ally Pally wasp. Favourite bits were Jurjen van der Velde's bug spray and Ilagan's reaction vs The Asp.
Mike, Glasgow
Image source, PA MediaWhat is dartitis?published at 19:29 GMT 3 January
BBC SoundsGian van Veen has spoken often about his struggles with dartitis during the formative years of his career.
Dartitis is a condition which stops players from being able to release their darts - but what causes it?
Learn more about dartitis in this BBC World Service feature on BBC Sounds.
What is a ghost dart?published at 19:27 GMT 3 January
Littler v Van Veen
Throughout the evening, you might see Gian van Veen throw a ghost dart. BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Matthew Edgar has explained what one is for us...
"It is a phantom throw. It is where you mimic the action or technique of throwing the dart, without the dart actually being in the hand or the delivery of the throw.
"Gian does this because he's struggled with dartitis a couple of years ago back on the Challenge Tour as he was coming through.
"It was his method and his way of getting around the big-pressure moments."
