Luke Littler secured his second consecutive World Darts Championship title on Saturday night, but his dominant 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen was bizarrely interrupted by two unique disruptions: a persistent wasp and blood on the dartboard.
The Ally Pally Wasp Strikes Again
The infamous insect that haunts the Alexandra Palace venue made its presence felt during the crucial final. With Littler, known as 'The Nuke', leading 3-1 in sets, the wasp launched an attack, causing the champion to jump back and swat frantically at the air.
Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle urged someone to 'kill it' as the pest continued to bother Littler, who battled on despite the distraction. The wasp eventually flew away, but not before sparking a chant from the amused crowd. After his win, an 18-year-old Littler joked he would enlist his friend, I'm A Celebrity winner Angry Ginge, to deal with the creature in future.
Mid-Match Drama as Blood Appears on the Board
Just as one disturbance ended, another began. During the seventh set, with Littler 5-1 up, a mysterious red spot appeared on the dartboard. It soon became clear the mark was blood, accidentally shed by runner-up Gian van Veen from a cut on his hand.
The blood covered the number five segment, but it failed to put Littler off his stride. He won the leg and the set before officials were forced to change the board—a mid-match switch that is exceptionally rare. Tournament official Martin Leak, who had earlier stated on social media that the board in use was the '125th and final board' and wouldn't be changed mid-game, later shared a laughing emoji in response to a fan's cheeky query.
A Tournament Plagued by the Famous Pest
The wasp has been a headline-grabbing nuisance throughout this year's championship at Ally Pally. Dutch player Jurjen van der Velde attempted a pre-emptive strike with a can of wasp spray, only to seemingly get the product in his eyes. Ross Smith, who was stung on stage by the same insect in 2023, again found it on his shirt during a first-round match this year.
Despite the chaotic interruptions, Luke Littler's performance was utterly dominant. He reeled off seven consecutive sets to seal a comprehensive 7-1 win over van Veen, adding the 2026 title to his 2025 victory. In his post-match interview, he paid tribute to boxer Anthony Joshua, referencing Joshua's recent car accident in Nigeria, and echoed a famous phrase: 'the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice.'
