Luke Littler has secured the single biggest prize purse in darts history, yet the teenage sensation still finds himself outside the sport's all-time top ten earners. The 18-year-old, who turns 19 later this January, demolished Gian van Veen 7-1 in the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace to claim a groundbreaking £1 million winner's cheque.
A Record Payday That Doubles the Prize Pot
This monumental sum is double the previous record on offer at the London venue, solidifying Littler's status as the sport's new powerhouse and silencing any lingering doubts about his talent. The victory, his second world title before even turning 19, instantly boosted his career tournament earnings by 50%, taking his total prize money to approximately £3.3 million.
Despite this rapid accumulation of wealth from titles including two World Championships, a Premier League crown, and two Grand Slams, Littler's financial achievements from competition winnings alone have not yet breached the sport's historical elite. A significant portion of his record £1 million payday will also be lost to taxation, further highlighting the gap between a single win and sustained career earnings.
Van Gerwen's £11.5m Reign and Taylor's Legacy
The undisputed king of the darts rich list remains Dutch maestro Michael van Gerwen. With a staggering £11.5 million in career prize money accrued over nearly two decades, 'MvG' sits comfortably at the summit. His period of dominance, yielding three world titles and a host of other majors between 2013 and 2022, built an almost unassailable financial lead.
In second place, the legendary Phil 'The Power' Taylor earned £8.5 million, a figure made even more impressive considering he played in an era with substantially smaller prize funds. Taylor's record 16 World Championship victories and 87 major titles set a competitive benchmark that Littler is now seen as the most likely candidate to challenge.
The Current Top Ten and Littler's Ascent
Littler's £3.3 million currently places him 12th on the all-time list, just behind the likes of Rob Cross (£3.4m) and world number one Luke Humphries (£3.5m). To break into the top tier, he must surpass the earnings of established stars like Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price, and the Scottish duo of Peter Wright (£6.2m) and Gary Anderson (£5.5m).
The all-time top five prize money earners in darts are:
- Michael van Gerwen - £11.5m
- Phil Taylor - £8.5m
- Peter Wright - £6.2m
- Gary Anderson - £5.5m
- James Wade - £5m
While his tournament winnings are tracked separately, it is acknowledged that Littler's total income, bolstered by significant sponsorship and endorsement deals, is considerably higher. However, based purely on the official prize money lists, his journey to the financial pinnacle of the sport is only just beginning. His unprecedented early success suggests it is a journey he is more than capable of completing.
