LUKE LITTLER is ticking off the days until the PDC World Darts Championship starts this Christmas – and he is eyeing the £1million on the table.
And after giving it back to rowdy Dutch fans last weekend, The Nuke is prepared to face whatever reception he gets over an exciting time for life on the oche.
PALuke Littler reckons everyone has their eye on the £1m up for grabs at this year’s World Championships[/caption]
Taylor LanningLittler spoke at the launch of a new Target Darts pop-up shop in Manchester[/caption]
The World Grand Prix, which starts on October 6 in Leicester, signals the countdown to the big one at Ally Pally.
In a short space of time, the majors will pile up – with the European Championship in Dortmund, the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton and the Players Championship at Butlin’s Minehead.
More than £1.5million prize money is available to win over the next three months, and there is a good chance he will overtake Luke Humphries as world No.1.
Should Littler win seven games in a row at world level – he will start on the opening night of December 11 – he would secure the sport’s biggest jackpot of £1million.
However, it will not be easy, as the last man to retain possession of the Sid Waddell Trophy was Gary Anderson in 2016.
Speaking at the launch of a new Target Darts pop-up shop in Manchester, Littler said: “As the days are ticking by and the Worlds are shortly coming round, then it does start to get exciting.
“The first year was just new to me, I was just enjoying it. This year I’m also enjoying it. I’ve won a few titles.
“It’s the same old busy schedule. From about four weeks ago, up until the World’s, I’ve got two weekends off before my first game, so it’s very busy. It’s all preparation for the Worlds.
2026 PDC prize money
Here’s how much the winners of of the PDC’s biggest events can earn in 2026…
World Darts Championship
Total purse: £5million
Winner: £1million
Premier League
Total purse: £1.25million
Winner: £750,000
World Matchplay
Total purse: £1million
Winner: £225,000
Grand Slam of Darts
Total purse: £1million
Winner: £200,000
World Grand Prix
Total purse: £750,000
Winner: £150,000
Players Championship Finals
Total purse: £750,000
Winner: £130,000
European Championship
Total purse: £750,000
Winner: £150,000
UK Open
Total purse: £750,000
Winner: £120,000
World Masters
Total purse: £500,000
Winner: £100,000
World Cup of Darts
Total purse: £500,000
Winner: £50,000 each
World Series of Darts Finals
Total purse: £450,000
Winner: £100,000
European Tour Events
Total purse: £230,000
Winner: £35,000
Players Championship Events
Total purse: £150,000
Winner: £15,000
World Series of Darts Events
Total purse: £100,000
Winner: £30,000
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“Obviously I want to win the Worlds. All the players would look at the prize money but for myself, it’s just about going back-to-back.”
Littler was one of seven world champions, from the BDO and PDC circuits, as Target Darts – the leading manufacturer of equipment – launched a temporary store, which will be around for about two weeks.
It is the first of its kind since one popped up outside of West Ham’s London Stadium a few years ago.
His appearance there came three days after he lost 11-7 to Michael van Gerwen in the finale of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.
The victory for MVG, his first TV title for two years, was a reminder of how good he is when he is performing to his max.
During the game, Littler got a lot of stick from Dutch fans, who were trying to put him off.
Before one of his throws, he stopped, went back to his table, swirled his water around in a theatrical manner as if to say: I will throw when I am ready.
There is a competitive, almost arrogant streak in his play – he would not have won so much without it – and he is not afraid to do that when he needs to.
Littler, 18, said: “Whatever I do on stage, that’s just for myself. It gives me a bit of confidence.
“When I was swilling my water, that was for the fans, it wasn’t for me. I was just trying to get under their skin a bit.
“Would I have done that years ago? Maybe. In 2023, I’d have been a lot younger then.
ITV SPORTLittler played to the crowd with a moment to sip his water at the World Series of Darts final in Amsterdam[/caption]
“Whatever I do, it’s for myself. Usually I don’t take time. Usually I just want to get on with the game.
“The crowd were on my back and I just had to try and do something, just had to try and settle myself, and then hit that double ten.”
There is, however, one thing that even Littler cannot master – and that is his theory driving test, which he has now failed SIX times.
The Warrington teen conceded: “I did do a theory the other week but I didn’t put that on my Instagram.
“Oh, it was a bad one. I’ll let you know that. I can’t pass the hazard (perception test). I’m trying. I just want to pass.
“I’ve got a car at home – it’s not a Mercedes – so yeah it’s sat there waiting.”
Target DartsLittler joined a host of other darts stars at the opening of a Target Darts pop-up experience in Manchester[/caption]
World-leading darts manufacturer Target Darts opened the UK’s ultimate darting pop-up experience in Manchester to celebrate their biggest-ever product launch.
For more details on the latest darts products, please visit: www.target-darts.co.uk
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