As the darts world buzzes with anticipation for the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace, three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has delivered a heartfelt and supportive message to the two young stars set to battle for the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy: reigning champion Luke Littler and rising Dutch sensation Gian van Veen.
In a gesture that highlights the spirit of camaraderie in the sport, van Gerwen took to social media to praise both finalists. “If the next Dutch World Champion carries your name, the future of our sport at home is in very good hands,” he wrote, addressing van Veen directly while extending warmth to Littler as well. “Enjoy every second of it, stay true to yourselves, and let the darts do the talking.” This unexpected show of grace from the Dutch legend underscores his recognition of the shifting tides in darts, where a new generation is stepping into the spotlight.
The final pits 18-year-old Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” against 23-year-old van Veen in what promises to be a thrilling clash of youth and talent. Littler, who stunned the world by claiming his first title last year with a dominant 7-3 victory over van Gerwen himself, is aiming to become just the fourth player in PDC history to defend the world crown successfully. He cruised into the final with a commanding 6-1 semi-final win over Ryan Searle, showcasing the relentless scoring power that has made him a phenomenon. Now in his third consecutive World Championship final—an achievement shared only with icons like Phil Taylor, Dennis Priestley, and Gary Anderson—Littler is on the cusp of etching his name deeper into darts lore.
On the other side of the oche stands van Veen, making his debut in a senior World Championship final and becoming only the third Dutchman to reach this stage, following in the footsteps of Raymond van Barneveld and van Gerwen. His path has been nothing short of remarkable, overcoming a tough 6-3 semi-final epic against two-time champion Gary Anderson. Van Veen has battled through personal demons, including years of dartitis—a crippling condition that affects a player’s release and once left him doubting his career. “As everyone knows, I’ve struggled with dartitis for many years,” he reflected after his semi-final triumph. “I never thought this was going to happen. It’s not even a dream coming true, because I wasn’t able to dream about this.”
Van Veen’s journey to the final has been marked by breakout performances, including a maiden major title at the 2025 European Championship and a series of victories that propelled him to a career-high ranking, even surpassing van Gerwen as the Dutch No. 1 for the first time in over a decade. His semi-final against Anderson was a classic, with both players averaging near 103 and trading big finishes, including 170 checkouts. “Everyone knows what Luke Littler’s capable of,” van Veen said ahead of the showdown. “I’m really looking forward to that game, but first of all I’m going to enjoy this victory.”
Adding intrigue to the matchup is the history between the finalists. They first crossed paths in the 2023 World Youth Championship final, where a teenage Littler prevailed 6-4. Since then, their rivalry has blossomed, with van Veen holding a slight edge in recent encounters, winning three of their five meetings in 2025. This final represents a potential rematch on the grandest stage, with experts predicting a high-scoring affair filled with maximums and possibly even a nine-darter—something the tournament has yet to see this year.
Van Gerwen’s message carries extra weight given his own storied history at Alexandra Palace, where he has lifted the trophy three times but saw his dominance challenged by Littler’s rise last year. Now watching from the sidelines after an earlier exit, the veteran appears to embrace the torch-passing moment. His words serve as a reminder that darts is evolving, with Littler and van Veen poised to dominate for years to come. Their combined age of just 41 makes this the youngest World Championship final ever, signaling an exciting new era for the sport.
As the lights dim at Ally Pally and the crowd roars, both players have expressed a shared focus on the glory over the substantial prize money. Littler, ever confident yet grounded, has emphasized the trophy above all. Van Veen, meanwhile, is savoring the moment after conquering doubts that once threatened to derail his dreams.
Whatever the outcome, this final has all the makings of a memorable spectacle—one that could define the future of darts. With van Gerwen’s blessing ringing in their ears, Littler and van Veen are ready to let their arrows fly and write the next chapter in this captivating rivalry.
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