World Darts Championship live: Luke Littler takes on Gian van Veen in mouth-watering final

The future seems to be now. The 2026 World Championship Final will not only showcase the best in darts currently available, but will also provide a glimpse into the competition that could dominate the sport for years to come.

Luke Littler – teenage darts prodigy, reigning world champion and the transcendent star who made the sport popular again – and Gian van Veen – the upcoming scourge of Dutch Force, reigning two-time World Youth Champion and Luke Humphreys – will take the stage at Alexandra Palace for a shot at darts’ most prestigious trophy.

Littler knows exactly what that feels like, having made history by winning the world title 12 months ago at the age of 17, while Van Veen is trying to break new ground.

This could be the first big chapter in a rivalry between Taylor and Van Barneveld, Lowe and Bristol or Van Gerwen and Wright.

Read the full preview of tonight’s final:

Littler and van Veen will face off in the 2026 World Darts Championship final on Saturday 3 January at 8pm GMT.

The game adopts a best-of-13 set system.

UK viewers can watch the final on Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 7.30pm GMT and catwalks from around 8.15pm.

In the final of the World Darts Championship, 18-year-old star Luke Littler will battle for the title against another of darts’ strongest young talents, Gian van Veen.

The pair could spark an intergenerational rivalry at Alexandra Palace, with stakes set to reach £1 million.

welcome to The Independent Covering the 2026 World Darts Championship final between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen.

Littler is seeking a second consecutive world title, while Van Veen is in his first final. Take action with us