Luke Littler has the chance to recoup some of the money he is expected to lose from his £1 million prize for clinching 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 over the weekend.
In a dominant display, Littler triumphed over the Dutchman with a commanding 7-1 victory, solidifying his position as a finalist for the third consecutive year. Not only did he achieve back-to-back wins, but he also became the first player to claim the £1 million prize up for grabs.
Despite the substantial increase in prize money compared to the previous year, the UK tax regulations dictate that Littler will lose nearly half of his total winnings due to income tax, potentially leaving him with a tax bill of up to £450,000. Adding to this, National Insurance contributions will further reduce his earnings, resulting in a substantial tax bill of around £470,000 following his second world championship triumph.
However, Littler has a swift opportunity to accumulate more earnings as he gears up to participate in the upcoming Bahrain Darts Masters starting on January 15. Previously winning the event in 2024 by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final, Littler is set to return as a 10-time PDC major title holder.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Littler outlined his plans for January, expressing his determination to win the title in Bahrain once more before swiftly moving on to compete in the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters starting on January 19 in Riyadh.
Looking ahead to future events, Littler shared his ambition to set a mark in the first Saudi Arabian World Series and indicated plans to unwind with family in Dubai following the tournaments. With the prize money for the upcoming 2026 tournaments yet to be confirmed, Littler aims to continue his dominance in the sport, aspiring to surpass Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles.
Reflecting on his recent success, Littler expressed his joy in achieving back-to-back world titles and his desire to continue winning in the sport. Sky has also announced a discount on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming 2025/26 season, offering members savings and an expanded coverage of live matches across various leagues.