The final match of the PDC World Youth Championship 2023 will be between Gian van Veen and Luke Littler. By the way, this final will not be played until Sunday, Nov. 26, during the final night of the Players Championship Finals.
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With this final, the two best players on the 2023 PDC Development Tour face each other in the title match. Van Veen (6) and Littler (5) combined for 11 of the 24 Development Tour titles this year.
In the group stage Van Veen effortlessly won from Tavis Dudeney (5-1) and Jack Male (5-2) and then disposed of Dominik Gruellich (6-3) and Dylan Slevin (6-3) to reach the quarter-finals. Next, the darter from Poederoijen managed to win 6-5 from defending champion Josh Rock, before Van Veen eliminated compatriot Wessel Nijman (6-5) for a final spot after a cracker.
Littler started his group stage with a difficult 5-4 win over Kalem Marsh, but then left Stefan Vermaak 5-0. During the knockout phase, the 16-year-old Englishman did not encounter any problems at all. He pushed aside Owen Maiden (6-1), Keane Barry (6-3), Jacob Gwynne (6-3) and Sebastian Bialecki (6-3) to reach the final match.
Van Veen and Littler, by reaching the final, are assured participation in the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. Van Veen also previously qualified for the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts by winning the final ranking of the 2023 PDC Development Tour. The winner of the Youth World Championship usually also qualifies for the World Darts Championship, but since both finalists are already certain to compete at Alexandra Palace, an additional starting ticket will be made available during the final Tour Card-qualifying tournament.
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Results PDC World Youth Championship 2023
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Last 16
Josh Rock 6 | 4 Jarno Bottenberg
Gian van Veen 6 | 3 Dylan Slevin
Owen Bates 6 | 4 Moreno Blom
Wessel Nijman 6 | 0 Nathan Rafferty
Luke Littler 6 | 3 Keane Barry
Jacob Gwynne 6 | 3 Jurjen van der Velde
Jitse Van der Wal 6 | 3 Viktor Tingstrom
Sebastian Bialecki 6 | 1 Bradley Brooks
Quarterfinals
Gian van Veen 6 | 5 Josh Rock
Wessel Nijman 6 | 2 Owen Bates
Luke Littler 6 | 3 Jacob Gwynne
Sebastian Bialecki 6 | 5 Jitse Van der Wal
Semi-final
Gian van Veen 6 | 5 Wessel Nijman
Luke Littler 6 | 3 Sebastian Bialecki
Final
Gian van Veen - | - Luke Littler
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
