In a heartwarming display of humility amid extraordinary success, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler has revealed his delightfully modest plans for his first purchase after clinching a staggering £1 million prize as the PDC World Darts Championship winner. Fresh off a dominant 7-1 victory over Dutch rising star Gian van Veen in the final at Alexandra Palace, Littler became the first player ever to pocket the tournament’s newly doubled top prize, marking a historic milestone in the sport. Yet, rather than dreaming of luxury cars or extravagant vacations right away, the young champion opted for something far more relatable: a massive pizza order to share with his entourage.
Exhausted but elated after the triumph, Littler returned to his London accommodation and immediately placed an order for £150 worth of pizzas. “I’m very tired. It was a bit busy in the household and I think everyone was a bit excited. My phone was popping off, but yeah, we just chilled out. I think we got like 150 quid’s worth of pizzas in for everyone. We all had a bite to eat,” he shared in the aftermath. This simple celebration came after he had even skipped a proper meal before the final, fueling up with a quick margherita pizza to steady his nerves ahead of the match. It’s a choice that perfectly encapsulates Littler’s grounded personality—a teenager who, despite skyrocketing to fame and fortune, still prioritizes the little joys and sharing them with those around him.
Littler’s path to this record-breaking windfall has been nothing short of phenomenal. At just 18, he successfully defended his title, becoming only the fourth player in PDC history to win back-to-back World Championships and the first in a decade since Gary Anderson achieved the feat. His performance in the final was a masterclass: averaging over 106, hammering 16 maximum 180s, and sealing the deal with a spectacular 147 checkout—treble 20, treble 19, double 15—that left the crowd roaring and his opponent in awe. Van Veen, the 23-year-old European champion who had impressively dispatched former winners like Luke Humphries along the way, managed to take the opening set but was overwhelmed as Littler reeled off seven straight sets in a display of unrelenting precision and mental fortitude.
The £1 million prize represents a landmark increase, doubling the previous winner’s cheque and reflecting the explosive growth of darts, fueled in no small part by Littler’s own meteoric rise. Known as “The Nuke,” he has dominated the sport over the past year, claiming multiple majors and inspiring a new generation of fans—the so-called “Littler effect.” In interviews, he emphasized the broader impact: “Obviously everyone wants to see me win. I’ve got to play my darts, but behind the scenes, just so many people with my tops on, the younger generation coming through. So many times at Ally Pally, the kids that got the opportunity to go and cheering me on right at the front of the stage, that means a lot as well. That’s what not many people see. But, yeah, the Luke Littler effect is well and truly still going.”
While the pizza feast marked his immediate indulgence, Littler has hinted at other treats in the pipeline that align with his passions. A keen collector of football trading cards—a hobby introduced by friends—he mentioned treating himself to a few boxes. “I’m into football cards at the minute so I might have to treat myself to a few boxes,” he said, keeping things refreshingly low-key for someone now sitting on career earnings approaching £3 million from tournaments alone.
Despite the life-changing sum—described by Littler himself as “life-changing”—he remains focused on the bigger picture rather than material excess. When asked about potential big spends immediately after the win, he played it cool: “My first purchase? Ah I don’t know. I can’t change car just yet. We’ll have to see, we’ll have to see.” This pragmatism echoes his pre-tournament mindset, where he downplayed the money: “It’s a massive prize. But it’s the trophy on the stage, it’s not the money.” His ambitions are sky-high on the oche, with eyes set on emulating Phil Taylor’s legendary 16 world titles and breaking records for days spent as world number one.
Littler’s journey from a Warrington teenager throwing darts from a young age to back-to-back world champion is a story of talent, resilience, and staying true to oneself. Even as he navigates fame, sponsorships, and a booming profile that has made darts a global phenomenon, his choice to kick off celebrations with pizza underscores why fans adore him. It’s a reminder that no matter how bright the spotlight or how heavy the cheque, some things—like a good slice shared with loved ones—remain priceless. As he heads into another dominant year atop the rankings, the darts world eagerly watches what comes next for The Nuke, who continues to prove that greatness doesn’t have to come with extravagance.
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