Fresh from securing his second consecutive World Darts Championship crown, teenage sensation Luke 'The Nuke' Littler has declared his intention to dominate the sport throughout 2026. The 18-year-old phenom is not resting on his laurels and is set for a relentless campaign on the oche, starting this month.
Littler's Dominant Ambition for 2026
After a stunning victory over rival Gian van Veen in the final, where he recovered from losing the first set to win seven straight, Littler made his ambitions crystal clear. The young champion stated his desire to "win everything" and become the undisputed main man in darts. While the thrill of a first world title is unmatched, Littler expressed immense pride in retaining his crown, a feat that cements his status as the sport's leading force.
"It's what dreams are made of," Littler said following his triumph. "Nothing will ever beat a first world title - for anyone, in any sport, because that's the first time you've done it. But this was all about retaining it. To go back-to-back feels amazing. I want to dominate everything, I want to try to win everything."
The 2026 Darts Calendar: Littler's Roadmap
Fans eager to see the champion in action will not have to wait long. The Bahrain Darts Masters kicks off the year from January 15-16, offering Littler an immediate chance to add more silverware. Although his exact tournament participation is not formally confirmed, his stated goal of supremacy suggests a packed schedule ahead.
The 2026 professional darts calendar is brimming with major events. Here is the full schedule of televised tournaments and Players Championships through to next year's World Championship:
- January 15-16: Bahrain Darts Masters
- January 19-20: Saudi Arabia Darts Masters
- January 28 - February 1: Winmau World Masters
- February 5: BetMGM Premier League, Night One - Newcastle
- February 12: BetMGM Premier League, Night Two - Antwerp
- February 19: BetMGM Premier League, Night Three - Glasgow
- February 26: BetMGM Premier League, Night Four - Belfast
- March 5: BetMGM Premier League, Night Five - Cardiff
- March 6-8: UK Open
- March 12: BetMGM Premier League, Night Six - Nottingham
- March 19: BetMGM Premier League, Night Seven - Dublin
- March 26: BetMGM Premier League, Night Eight - Berlin
- April 2: BetMGM Premier League, Night Nine - Manchester
- April 9: BetMGM Premier League, Night Ten - Brighton
- April 16: BetMGM Premier League, Night Eleven - Rotterdam
- April 23: BetMGM Premier League, Night Twelve - Liverpool
- April 30: BetMGM Premier League, Night Thirteen - Aberdeen
- May 7: BetMGM Premier League, Night Fourteen - Leeds
- May 14: BetMGM Premier League, Night Fifteen - Birmingham
- May 21: BetMGM Premier League, Night Sixteen - Sheffield
- May 28: BetMGM Premier League, Finals Night - London
- June 5-6: Nordic Darts Masters
- June 11-14: World Cup of Darts
- June 26-27: US Darts Masters
- July 18-26: World Matchplay
- August 14-15: New Zealand Darts Masters
- August 21-22: Australian Darts Masters
- September 17-20: World Series of Darts Finals
- September 28 - October 4: World Grand Prix
- October 22-25: European Championship
- November 14-22: Grand Slam of Darts
- November 27-29: Players Championship Finals
- December - January 2027: World Darts Championship
This schedule is interspersed with numerous Players Championship events across the UK and Europe, starting in Hildesheim, Germany on February 9-10, providing constant competitive action.
A Year of Unrelenting Competition
Littler's quest for dominance will be tested across a gruelling array of formats and locations. The BetMGM Premier League alone involves 16 weekly nights across the UK and Europe, culminating in the London finals in May. Major televised tournaments like the UK Open, World Matchplay, and Grand Slam of Darts present further opportunities for glory.
The global nature of modern darts is also on full display, with World Series events scheduled in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the Nordic region, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. This relentless itinerary underscores the physical and mental challenge facing Littler as he aims to maintain his position at the pinnacle of the sport.
With his talent, confidence, and now proven pedigree as a back-to-back world champion, Luke Littler's 2026 campaign promises to be one of the most compelling narratives in British sport. The journey for 'The Nuke' to potentially win everything starts now.
