Luke Littler stands on the brink of not only a second consecutive World Darts Championship title but also a monumental leap in his career earnings, which are already among the highest in the sport's history.
Littler's Meteoric Rise to Financial Heights
Should 'The Nuke' triumph over Gian van Veen in Saturday's final at Alexandra Palace, he will secure the Sid Waddell Trophy and a record £1 million prize. This is double the sum he earned for winning the 2025 final against Michael van Gerwen. Remarkably, since turning professional just two years ago, Littler has already accumulated a staggering £2 million in prize money.
This fortune has been built on a series of major tournament victories, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, and the Grand Slam of Darts. A win on Saturday would put his total career earnings on course to hit an incredible £3 million.
How Littler Compares to Darts' Greatest Earners
Littler's rapid financial success invites comparison with the sport's legendary figures. The British record for career prize money is held by the iconic Phil 'The Power' Taylor, whose estimated total stands at £8.5 million. Taylor's 16 world titles were won over a two-decade reign, but in an era of far smaller prizes.
For example, when Taylor won his first PDC world title in 1995, he received just £12,000. By his 16th and final win in 2013, the top prize had risen to £100,000—still only a tenth of the 2026 winner's purse. If Littler maintains his current trajectory, he could realistically challenge Taylor's British earnings record in the coming years.
The Ultimate Target: Van Gerwen's Career Earnings
The ultimate benchmark, however, is three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen. The Dutchman, who entered the sport as prize funds began to swell significantly, is estimated to have banked around £10 million in career winnings, the most in darts history.
While Van Gerwen remains a leading player, overtaking his total will be Littler's greatest financial challenge. For now, the 19-year-old phenom is focused on the trophy, not the cash. After his semi-final win against Ryan Searle, Littler stated: "It's a massive prize, but it's the trophy on the stage, it's not the money... ever since the Grand Slam, I have just said I want to go back-to-back."
He faces a tough test against world number three Gian van Veen, who recently overtook Van Gerwen as the top-ranked Dutch player. The final begins at approximately 8.15pm on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
