Complete dominance! Luke Littler claims second Ballon d’Art at Alexandra Palace after defending World Darts Championship title

Luke Littler has added extra shine to his dominant World Championship campaign by winning the Ballon d’Art. The 18-year-old Englishman, who became world champion for the second year in a row on Saturday evening, threw the most maximums during the tournament and was therefore able to collect another award immediately after the final.

The Warrington thrower became only the fourth player in history to successfully defend his PDC world title at Alexandra Palace. In the final of the World Darts Championship against Gian van Veen, Littler dropped the opening set, but after that he left no doubt about his superiority. With seven sets on the spin he swept the Dutchman off the stage and sealed his second world crown, worth a £1 million top prize.

Alongside that sporting triumph there was individual success. In the final, Littler registered the maximum 180 sixteen times, taking his tally for the entire tournament to 73.

That put him top of the 180s leaderboard and earned him the Ballon d’Art once again, the trophy awarded to the player with the most maximums at the Worlds. The outright record remains in the hands of Michael Smith, who hit 83 180s at the 2022 edition.

Littler already held a comfortable advantage before the final. His closest rival Gary Anderson exited in the semi-finals with 59 maximums, leaving the Englishman barely catchable. The trophy was presented on the Alexandra Palace stage by Olympic cycling legend Chris Hoy.

The Ballon d’Art also has a social initiative attached. Title sponsor Paddy Power donates £1,000 per 180 to Prostate Cancer UK. Hoy, who was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in 2023, was therefore a fitting choice to hand over the prize.

Since the Ballon d’Art was introduced three years ago, Littler has been its most successful winner. He also claimed the trophy alongside his first world title. Only Luke Humphries managed to outpace him in between, matching 73 maximums during his 2024 title run.

With his second straight world title, Littler also joins an elite group. Only Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson had previously won the PDC World Darts Championship in consecutive years.