Luke Littler has the chance to recoup part of the prize money he is set to lose from his £1 million award for winning the PDC World Darts Championship. The 18-year-old made history by becoming the first player since Gary Anderson to secure consecutive world titles by defeating Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace.
In a dominant performance, Littler defeated the Dutchman 7-1, continuing his impressive streak in reaching the final for three years in a row. Along with his victory, he also became the first player to claim the £1 million prize on offer. Despite the substantial increase in prize money from the previous year, UK tax laws dictate that Littler will lose almost half of his winnings to income tax, amounting to a potential £450,000 bill.
Adding to his tax burden will be National Insurance contributions, bringing the total tax bill to around £470,000. However, Littler has another chance to increase his earnings by competing in the upcoming Bahrain Darts Masters starting on January 15.
Previously, Littler won the event in 2024 by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final, securing a £30,000 victory. Returning to the Bahrain Masters, where he made his World Series debut, he now boasts 10 PDC major titles.
Looking ahead to his upcoming competitions, Littler expressed his determination to win in Bahrain once more. If successful, he will have little time to rest before the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, starting on January 19. Littler aims to make his mark in the first Saudi Arabian World Series event before heading to Dubai for a well-deserved break.
While the prize money for the 2026 tournaments is yet to be confirmed, Littler is viewed as a potential contender to match or surpass Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles. Following his recent success, Littler shared his ambition to dominate the sport and continue his winning streak.
In other news, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming 2025/26 season, offering savings to members and a wider selection of live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky is set to broadcast at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 matches.