Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler is set to lose over half of his landmark £1 million prize money to the taxman, but has a swift opportunity to replenish his bank balance this month.
The Tax Bill on a Million-Pound Payday
The 18-year-old made history on Saturday night by becoming the first player since Gary Anderson to win back-to-back PDC World Darts Championship titles. His dominant 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace secured the sport's first-ever seven-figure top prize.
However, UK tax laws mean the new world champion will surrender a significant portion of his winnings. His £1 million payout will be taxed at the 45% additional rate for income tax, likely generating a bill of around £450,000. When National Insurance contributions are added, the total deduction is expected to reach approximately £470,000.
Immediate Chance to Earn in Bahrain
Littler won't have to wait long for a chance to offset some of that financial hit. He is scheduled to compete in the Bahrain Darts Masters, which begins on January 15. The 'Nuke' triumphed at this event in 2024, beating Michael van Gerwen in the final to claim a £30,000 prize on his World Series debut.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Littler outlined his busy January schedule: "We fly out to Bahrain next Sunday, so obviously we'll have five, six days off and then we're back on the road... I want to go and try and win that title in Bahrain once again."
Ambition to Dominate the Sport
Should he succeed in Bahrain, Littler will have just a few days before heading to the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters in Riyadh, starting January 19. He expressed his motivation to set a marker and win the first Saudi Arabian World Series event.
Fresh from his world championship heroics, the record-breaking teenager made his ambitions clear. "To go back-to-back feels amazing," he said. "I want to dominate everything, I want to try to win everything." Many now regard him as the player most likely to challenge Phil Taylor's historic record of 16 world titles.
After the Middle Eastern tournaments, Littler plans a short break in Dubai with his family and girlfriend before continuing his quest to rule the darting world.
