The winner of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship will tonight claim a historic, life-changing payday of £1 million, doubling the champion's prize from just a year ago. The final at London's Alexandra Palace sees defending champion and world number one Luke Littler take on Dutch challenger Gian van Veen in a blockbuster showdown.
Record-Breaking Prize Fund on Offer
This year's tournament at Ally Pally features a staggering total prize pool of £5 million, distributed among all 128 competitors. Every player who qualified was guaranteed a minimum of £15,000 for their efforts. The prize structure sees significant jumps at each stage, with quarter-finalists securing £100,000, beaten semi-finalists earning £200,000, and the runner-up departing with a still-remarkable £400,000.
Littler's Quest for Back-to-Back Glory
Teenage sensation Luke Littler, now 18, returns to the final as the heavy favourite. His phenomenal year saw him clinch major titles including the UK Open, World Matchplay, and Grand Slam of Darts, solidifying his status as the sport's dominant force. However, he faces a formidable opponent in European champion Gian van Veen, who produced a stunning semi-final performance to eliminate the legendary two-time champion Gary Anderson.
When questioned about the monumental £1 million prize following his semi-final victory over Ryan Searle, Littler remained focused on the silverware. "It's a massive prize, but it's the trophy on the stage, it's not the money," he stated. "I'm repeating myself, but ever since the Grand Slam I have just said I want to go back-to-back. So hopefully I can lift the trophy again and think about the money after."
Full 2026 World Darts Championship Prize Money
The complete prize money breakdown for the tournament is as follows:
- First round: £15,000
- Second round: £25,000
- Third round: £35,000
- Fourth round: £60,000
- Quarter-finals: £100,000
- Semi-final: £200,000
- Runner-up: £400,000
- Winner: £1,000,000
The final takes place on the evening of Saturday 3 January 2026. Littler aims to join an elite group of players who have successfully defended their world title, while van Veen seeks a career-defining upset on the sport's biggest stage.
