"That's another piece of history I want to create": Luke Littler wants to break Phil Taylor records after double Ally Pally triumph

Luke Littler has firmly etched his name into darts history. The young Englishman, who beat Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final, was crowned champion of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, confirming his status as the figurehead of a new generation of players.

After a long and grueling tournament, he finally stood with the Sid Waddell Trophy in his hands, proud yet hungry for more. "I'm proud, it was a long tournament and it definitely feels that way but we've come out on top and we've got the job done," he said matter-of-factly but tellingly afterward.

The 2026 Worlds was anything but a straightforward march for Littler. Early on it became clear that every opponent was extra motivated to beat him. Still, he held firm time and again. According to Littler, his match against Rob Cross was the turning point.

The final featured a striking moment that startled the crowd and both players. During a decisive phase, a wasp suddenly flew across the stage. "Had to bring out the ducking and diving, maybe that was a thing that put Gian off."

In fact, even losing the first set didn’t knock him off his stride. Quite the opposite. "It definitely fires me up a bit, obviously everyone knows I want to get that first set and especially last night against Gian losing the darts I just said to myself don't go chasing the game."

A crucial moment in the final came when his opponent Gian van Veen had the chance to go 2-0 up in sets. "Gian could've gone 2-0 up, it would've changed the game completely. But from that first set onwards I ran away with it," Littler acknowledged honestly. That moment slipped away, and Littler smelled blood. From that point he seized control for good and never let it go.

The world title caps an impressive spell for the young Englishman. In a short time he rose from prodigy to established world-class player. Yet he is far from satisfied. On the contrary: Littler is already looking ahead. "There are a few missing this year tha I'm definitely going to be chasing. I'll be putting the extra hard work in for those ones that I've definitely not won."

That hunger also comes through in his ultimate goal. "I'm in the clear for number one, obviously Phil Taylor had 3,400 days at Number One. That's another piece of history I want to create. I want to stay there for as long as possible and get these other dart players chasing me," he said without hesitation. A statement that raises eyebrows for many, but for Littler it matches his self-belief and work ethic. At the same time he remains critical of himself. "I definitely can, I've just got to get on that practice board," he admitted. Even after a world title he sees room for improvement.

There was, however, a small disappointment afterward. "I wasn't happy, a World Championship without a nine-darter. I want to come back in December and try to get a nine," he confessed with a smile. It typifies the bar Littler sets for himself: even becoming world champion isn’t perfect if everything doesn’t come out.