Jonathan Liew's report
Littler and Van Veen set up final showdown
Luke Littler will face Gian van Veen in Saturday’s world championship final after two contrasting semi-final wins on Friday.
After losing the first set, Littler won six in a row to see off Ryan Searle 6-1, reaching his third final in three appearances. The world No 1’s focus remains on becoming a back-to-back champion, and not the record £1m prize.
“It’s a massive prize, but it’s the trophy on the stage, it’s not the money,” Littler said. “Ever since the Grand Slam I have just said I want to go back-to-back. So hopefully I can lift the trophy again and think about the money after.”
Van Veen won an instant classic against Anderson in a see-saw match that finished just before 11pm. The Dutchman led 4-1 before two-time champion Anderson fought back, with Van Veen eventually prevailing 6-3 in a thrilling tussle.
Both men averaged over 102, they both took out a 170 finish and Anderson hit more 180s, but it was Van Veen’s finishing which got the job done as he booked his first appearance in the final, having lost his opening match on two previous visits to Alexandra Palace.
“I am so happy,” he said on stage. “Winning this game ... 10 years ago or five years ago, I was struggling playing darts. I was crying at the table and look at me four years later. It’s all been worth it.” PA Media
Well, that was decent, wasn’t it? Be sure to join the doyen of darts, Rob Smyth, tomorrow night for the final – Luke Littler v Gian van Veen. It could be an all-timer. Thanks for joining me tonight.
Some key stats from that instant classic …
Averages: Van Veen 102.99, Anderson 102.91
Checkouts: Van Veen 55%, Anderson 45.5%
Highest checkout: Both hit 170, in the same set
Legs won: Van Veen 22, Anderson 20
Gian van Veen talks to Sky: “Gary threw everything at me, his finishing was great … the crowd was a bit against me, but it’s fair play because Gary is so fantastic. Three or four years ago I was struggling with dartitis, crying after games – look at me now!”
“My parents used to drive me all around the Netherlands to play … it’s all been worth it. I never thought this would happen – it’s not a dream come true, I never even dreamed about it!”
Next up … Luke Littler in the final. “He’s playing fantastic in this tournament, but so am I. Hopefully it’s going to be a great game, but I’m just going to enjoy the moment.”
Gian van Veen beats Gary Anderson 6-3!
No nerves here – Van Veen delivers with his first match dart to reach his first world championship final. He’s beaten his idol, who played a full part in one of the best semi-finals we’ve seen on this stage.
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Ninth set: Van Veen (5) 2-2 (3) Anderson A couple of helpful treble 19s, then a 140 – his 34th of the match – leaves him on 167. Two more treble 20s, and he sets up three match darts at double 16, with Anderson miles behind …
Ninth set: *Van Veen (5) 2-2 (3) Anderson Van Veen edges ahead but Anderson gets one set dart at bull … but this time, it’s an inch to the right, and Van Veen nervelessly takes out double eight. He’ll throw for a place in the final …
Ninth set: Van Veen (5) 1-2 (3) Anderson* Neither player is doubling quite as well now – and Van Veen misses two darts at D16 to close out an 11/12 dart leg. Anderson is on 121 – and he finishes on the bull!
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Ninth set: *Van Veen (5) 1-1 (3) Anderson Sizing up the big fish, Anderson just misses the bull – but Van Veen is way back, and Anderson is able to end his rotten run on doubles, landing D4.
Ninth set: Van Veen (5) 1-0 (3) Anderson* Oh, Gary, Gary … Anderson misses three shots at double 16 to break, and Van Veen punishes him by checking out on D10. He’s two legs away …
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The absolute nerve of Gian van Veen – blowing that chance to win the set, then coming out with five perfect darts out of six to take it back. Now, he’s one set away, and will throw first. Anderson will have to get off the canvas yet again.
Van Veen wins eighth set, leads 5-3!
This is a huge test of Van Veen’s mentality now – and he starts with a maximum, then follows with a 140! He’s down to 98 from nine darts … and Anderson can’t follow him. Van Veen finds his way back to double top … and this time, he takes it out!
Eighth set: Van Veen (4) 2-2 (3) Anderson* A rare iffy start from Van Veen, but he rallies with a maximum, then a ton. Anderson sets up 170, while a loose dart leaves Van Veen on 97. He can’t get close, and Van Veen has one dart at tops for the set … millimetres too high. He’ll get another chance … but misses three doubles in a row, and Anderson pins D18.
Eighth set: *Van Veen (4) 2-1 (3) Anderson As Wayne Mardle points out, this is probably the longest match Van Veen has ever played – but Anderson looks the more weary player now. Still, he lands double eight off the wire to stay in the set.
Eighth set: Van Veen (4) 2-0 (3) Anderson* The crowd are behind Anderson, but Van Veen has quietened them down with that break. A 140 keeps Anderson in this leg, and he’s first to a dart to win it – but misses double 16, then has to watch Van Veen hit it, shrugging off a few jeers.
Eighth set: *Van Veen (4) 1-0 (3) Anderson It’s Van Veen who starts the stronger on Anderson’s throw, but can’t find a treble to build on it. He has a shot at bull to break, but pulls it an inch left. Still, two darts from 25 – Nine, double eight, popped, and Van Veen breaks!
How are Van Veen’s nerves now? He missed two darts to move 5-2 ahead, and now Anderson is fully in his mirrors. I can’t spake.
Anderson wins the seventh set, trails 4-3!
Van Veen is so good at starting strongly on his own throw – a max or 140 seems inevitable. But then he coughs up 80, and Anderson follows with 56. The frustration is real. Van Veen waits on a 91 checkout, Anderson gets down to tops … will he get a shot? He will …and this time, he gets it done. We’re back on throw!
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Seventh set: *Van Veen (4) 2-2 (2) Anderson A penny for Luke Littler’s thoughts, watching this play out. Van Veen drifts behind on the Anderson throw again, leaving Anderson with three darts at that pesky double 20. But he goes inside on tops, D10 and D5! The match is in Van Veen’s hands … but he can’t land the double. The drama – and Anderson checks out of the mad house. Absolute scenes!
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Seventh set: Van Veen (4) 2-1 (2) Anderson* Van Veen starts with a max, but then slips and Anderson hits back with a 180 of his own. He’s down to 54, Van Veen on 130, leaving 40 … and the pressure tells, two doubles missed. Van Veen nicks the leg, and Anderson is furious with himself.
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Seventh set: *Van Veen (4) 1-1 (2) Anderson The crowd are getting behind Anderson – they want to see this go the distance – and he dominates this leg on throw, clinching it on double four.
Seventh set: Van Veen (4) 1-0 (2) Anderson* This is a huge set now – either Anderson breaks to trail 4-3, or Van Veen moves one away from his first final. No sign of nerves from Van Veen, landing D16 to take the first leg.
Anderson wins the sixth set, trails 4-2!
A maximum-140 back-to-back from Anderson gives him the edge on Van Veen’s throw. The former champion needs 81, leaves the bull … and hits it!
Sixth set: *Van Veen (4) 1-2 (1) Anderson Is Anderson feeling defeated? He can’t have lost many sets, ever, playing that well. Under pressure on tops with Van Veen on 70, he nails it to stay ahead.
Sixth set: Van Veen (4) 1-1 (1) Anderson* A handy 180 from Anderson, but Van Veen replies with three treble 18s. He’s first to a finish as Anderson sees a third dart rattle out, and despite missing D16, he takes out D8 with Anderson not on a finish.
Sixth set: *Van Veen (4) 0-1 (1) Anderson Gary Anderson starts with an 11-darter to hold throw – now can he apply some pressure?
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What more can Gary Anderson do? He’s averaging 105.5 and getting a hiding. Even when he dug out a 170 checkout, Van Veen hit back with one of his own. He has to hope that somehow, the Dutchman’s level drops.
This match is following the pattern of the first semi-final, with Van Veen losing the first set then roaring back. That said, it’s a very different kind of contest.
Van Veen wins the fifth set, leads 4-1!
A ten-dart break, then a 170 checkout … and Anderson is about to lose the set. Or is he? Van Veen falters on double eight, but hits D4 with the last dart in hand. A huge moment – it’s the rising star’s match to lose now.
Fifth set: *Van Veen (3) 2-2 (1) Anderson ANOTHER BIG FISH! This time it’s Van Veen, reeling it in ruthlessly when Anderson stutters on his set-up shot. Anderson can only offer a wry smile, but that has to hurt.
Fifth set: Van Veen (3) 1-2 (1) Anderson* Van Veen rattles through a hold, hitting double 18 on his 11th dart of the leg. And on we go …
Fifth set: *Van Veen (3) 0-2 (1) Anderson Gary Anderson is producing the set of his life – a 10-darter, and now the big fish! A 170 checkout, and barely a flicker. Ridiculous.
Fifth set: Van Veen (3) 0-1 (1) Anderson* Van Veen throws first in this set, and has the chance to take charge … but Anderson comes out fighting, breaking in 10 darts to shift the momentum.
Van Veen has an average of 104.6 after four sets – and a checkout percentage of 76.9%. Anderson, with figures of 102.8 and 53.3%, finds himself playing catch up. But if anyone can stop this runaway train, it’s the Flying Scotsman.
Van Veen wins the fourth set, leads 3-1!
Ando opens with 96 and Van Veen responds with a max –then follows with a 177, and the nine-darter is on! Ack, the first dart drops low, but he’s left 47 to take a 3-1 lead … and surprise, he hits the double on his first attempt. It’s bordering on disrespectful now.
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Fourth set: Van Veen (2) 2-2 (1) Anderson* From 161, Van Veen trims effortlessly down to 32, with Anderson not on a finish. A ninth double out of 12 is converted – that’s close to unplayable.
Fourth set: *Van Veen (2) 1-2 (1) Anderson Anderson miscounts from 87, ending up on 39. A tricky finish to manoeuvre, but he gets there in three darts.
Fourth set: Van Veen (2) 1-1 (1) Anderson* With Van Veen on 76, Anderson gets down to double top. Pressure on? Not really – the Dutchman hits T20, D8 in two darts.
Fourth set: *Van Veen (2) 0-1 (1) Anderson Gary Anderson needs to give his opponent a little nudge, and does so here with a 144 checkout, delivered with minimum fuss.
Van Veen wins the third set, leads 2-1!
Van Veen opens with a 180, and will have six darts from 160 as Anderson falters. He leaves double 16, and pins it with his second dart! That’s the first set which has gone to the player throwing first.
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Third set: *Van Veen (1) 2-2 (1) Anderson With Van Veen waiitng on 170, Anderson can’t take out 140, and is left a nervy out-shot on double five. He nails it first time, and we go to a decider.
Third set: Van Veen (1) 2-1 (1) Anderson* Both players averaging over 100 so far, but this is a rare scrappy leg. On 208 after 12 darts, GVV gets 140 – and takes out D4 at the second attempt! A missed opportunity for Anderson there.
Third set: *Van Veen (1) 1-1 (1) Anderson Anderson gets on the board, missing his first shot at tops but nailing the second.
Third set: Van Veen (1) 1-0 (1) Anderson* Well, it’s already clear both of these men are here to play. Van Veen opens the third leg, is narrowly first to a finish – and he takes out 107 for a second ton-plus checkout!
Van Veen wins the second set! Van Veen 1-1 Anderson
Second set: *Van Veen (0) 2-1 (1) Anderson As the crowd serenade Anderson, Van Veen offers up a couple of trebleless visits – but isn’t punished, then takes out 117. Ice in his veins, and we’re all square.
Second set: *Van Veen (0) 2-1 (1) Anderson Can Anderson keep the set alive? He’s first to a finish, albeit a tricky 135. He leaves 72, with Van Veen waiting on 77. One dart at tops … nailed!
Second set: Van Veen (0) 2-0 (1) Anderson* Anderson can’t apply any pressure with Van Veen on 50, which he pops in two darts. He’s very much up for this.
Second set: *Van Veen (0) 1-0 (1) Anderson Gian van Veen comes flying out of the blocks, rattling off a 10-dart leg against the throw.
“This could be one for the ages,” writes Simon McMahon. “180’s for fun, a 9-darter a live possibility, sudden death 11th set. No idea who wins, could go either way, strap in.” Absolutely.
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Anderson wins the first set!
Anderson can’t get down to a finish, but Van Veen doesn’t punish him in time. A 59 checkout … but he misses two set darts! Van Veen misses tops, Anderson back to D10 – and with his final dart in hand, he gets it done.
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First set: Van Veen (0) 1-2 (0) Anderson* Van Veen racks up his second maximum but Anderson edges ahead, hitting double 16 to close an 11-dart leg. Zero doubles missed so far …
First set: *Van Veen (0) 1-1 (0) Anderson Anderson can’t reel in the big fish, but checks out 72 with Van Veen lurking. The pace is relentless already …
First set: Van Veen (0) 1-0 (0) Anderson* (*denotes next throw) Van Veen throwing first, and leaving the door ajar for Anderson, who can’t get close to a 130 checkout. Van Veen takes out 80 with three darts to claim the first leg.
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Van Veen v Anderson: game on!
This one feels too close to call. I fancy Anderson might just have too much experience: Van Veen 4-6 Anderson is my prediction, without any real conviction.
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Van Veen v Anderson: tale of the tape
Gian van Veen
Age: 23. From: Gelderland, Netherlands. Seeded: No 10.
Nickname: The Giant. Title odds: 3-1.
Path to the final: R1 bt Reyes 3-1, R2 bt Soutar 3-1;
R3 bt Razma 4-1; R4 bt Mandy 4-1; QF bt Humphries 5-1.
Best worlds performance: Semi-finalist (2026).
Walk-on music: “Astronomia” by Tony Igy & Vicetone
Gary Anderson
Age: 55. From: Musselburgh. Seeded: No 14.
Nickname: The Flying Scotsman. Title odds: 6-1.
Path to the final: R1 bt Hunt 3-2, R2 bt Scutt 3-1;
R3 bt Wattimena 4-3; R4 bt Van Gerwen 4-1; QF bt Hood 5-2.
Best worlds performance: Champion (2015, 2016)
Walk-on music: “Jump Around” by House of Pain
Head to head record: Van Veen 1-4 Anderson.
Gary Anderson: “Gian’s a lovely lad, a class act and he could be the best player in the world soon. I just hope to play a good game.”
Gian van Veen: “I feel very comfortable on that stage, which I didn’t before … to play my idol on this stage is a dream come true.”
Some key stats from the first semi-final …
Averages: Littler 105.35, Searle 93.31
Checkouts hit: Littler 58.8%, Searle 42.1%
Highest checkout: Littler 110, Searle 170
Legs won: Littler 20, Searle 8
Littler mentioned “blurred signs” in his interview – to explain, Paddy Power blurred their logo tonight on signage boards to raise funds for treating autosomal dominant optic atrophy – the visual impairment that affects Ryan Searle. He has raised more than £15,000 for the Cure ADOA foundation, and Paddy Power have pledged to match that.
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Here’s Luke Littler, carrying out his interview on the stage this time: “Few boos, few cheers, good crowd. Big shoutout to Paddy Power for blurring the signs tonight [more on that in a second]. I went 1-0 down, didn’t play that well … but I said to myself, you’ll find it.”
“Ryan did amazing this tournament, he should be proud … but we go again tomorrow.” Who does he think he’ll be playing? Littler backed Van Veen to beat Humphries yesterday, but says this one is too close to call.
Luke Littler beats Ryan Searle 6-1!
Searle is left frustrated as a trebless visit opens the door, and Littler has six darts to take out 167. He sets up double 20, and you all know what happens next. He’s going to his third straight final!
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Seventh set: Littler (5) 2-2 (1) Searle* Some very slight concentration issues for Littler since missing that nine-dart effort, and he watches Searle miss a set dart before taking out tops at the second attempt.
Seventh set: *Littler (5) 1-2 (1) Searle Littler has an 82 checkout to all but kill this game, but he gets in a tangle, and Searle cleans up on double four. Can he get another set on the board?
Seventh set: Littler (5) 1-1 (1) Searle* That was a great moment for Searle, who deserves better than being totally pulverised out there. But Littler isn’t giving him any more chances, rattling through a hold. He’s two legs away.
Seventh set: *Littler (5) 0-1 (1) Searle Seven perfect darts … but the eighth drops below the treble-20 bed. And somehow, Searle is in touch, with 170 to go. Treble 20, treble 20 – and the bull! Searle stops the rot with a “big fish” checkout, and gets a fist bump from Littler.
Littler wins the sixth set, leads 5-1
Littler wraps up the set from 91, and immediately sets about getting that nine-darter …
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Sixth set: *Littler (4) 2-0 (1) Searle Littler starts this leg with six perfect darts – and it feels like the moment has arrived. But he falls short, then gets stuck on double three. A rare chance for Searle, but he’s a long way off D10, and the run of Littler legs goes on.
Sixth set: Littler (4) 1-0 (1) Searle* Littler is averaging 100+ every set, giving Searle so little in terms of opportunities. He shows a glimpse of humanity by hitting seven instead of 19, but soon recalibrates on double tops.
Littler wins the fifth set, leads 4-1
With 127 left, Searle sets up a double-top finish – only for Littler, on 100, to hit treble 20, double 20 without a second thought. Total domination.
Fifth set: Littler (3) 2-0 (1) Searle* Littler has hit double top 8 of 11 times so far. Searle gets a rare chance to break, but a single dart at double 16 just misses – and both players then miss three darts each to take the leg. Littler gets there eventually on D12, and Searle looks to the ceiling in despair.
Fifth set: *Littler (3) 1-0 (1) Searle Littler is down to 51 with Searle needing to check out 170 to hold throw. He can’t pull it off, and Littler wraps up an 11-dart leg. The switch has been flipped here …
“Littler is so far ahead of everyone that I think that the only realistic chance of beating him in the Worlds is in the early rounds ,when an opponent ‘only’ needs to outplay him in three sets,” writes Martin O’Donovan-Wright. “As the tournament goes on, and the matches get longer, his opponents have to play above themselves for such a long period it becomes almost impossible to sustain.”
The averages so far: Littler 104.33, Searle 93.74
Checkout success: Littler 61.11%, Searle 60%
Littler wins the fourth set, leads 3-1
Littler can’t take out his favoured 170 but he has time with Searle adrift – and tops seals a very quick fourth set.
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Fourth set: *Littler (2) 2-0 (1) Searle Ryan Searle needs to stop Littler from getting on a streak here – but the champion is down to 96 – and closes it out on double nine! He’s one hold from a two-set lead …
Fourth set: Littler (2) 1-0 (1) Searle* Both players start the leg with 180s but can’t get any closer to a nine-darter, and Searle’s erratic scoring makes it all too easy for Littler.
Littler wins set three! Littler 2-1 Searle
Searle stumbles with his first three darts and quickly falls 100 points behind. Littler can’t race away with it, setting up 113 and missing tops. Searle can’t finish from 69, making a costly error – and Littler punishes him this time.
Third set: Littler (1) 2-2 (1) Searle* Littler has six darts from 121, and again turns down a shot at the bull before nailing tops. A huge leg coming up …
Third set: *Littler (1) 1-2 (1) Searle A first max for Searle, and it’s well timed after a slow start to the leg. A 140 follows, and while Littler applies pressure, he checks out on double 10.
Third set: Littler (1) 1-1 (1) Searle* More crowd chants for Searle, which stirs Littler into slamming in another 180 on his way to a quickfire hold.
Third set: *Littler (1) 0-1 (1) Searle A big set for Searle here – and he starts well on throw, taking out 76 in two darts.
Luke Littler wins set two! Littler 1-1 Searle
Littler takes out the first maximum of the match to take charge on Searle’s throw, and lands double 20 for an 11-dart leg. We’re all square.
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Second set: Littler (0) 2-1 (1) Searle* Littler still not really close to top gear, and Searle breaks back after the champion fails to take out 170.
Second set: *Littler (0) 2-0 (1) Searle Littler gets the edge in a scrappy match, leaving Searle chasing 147 to hold throw. He can’t do it, and Littler pops the trusty double 10 to break!
Second set: Littler (0) 1-0 (1) Searle* A great start for Searle – taking the set on throw, but looking very composed. Littler starts off this set, and has a shot at the bull from 167 – but opts to set up double eight. Cue a few pantomime boos.
Ryan Searle wins the first set
Searle rattles in four treble-20s in six darts – no signs of nerves here – and he’s down to 101 with Littler distant. Despite stumbling, he has time to pin double eight for the set!
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First set: Littler (0) 2-2 Searle* (0) Five perfect darts out of six for Littler, then a 147 set-up. Searle is miles back, but it’s all about holding throw next time …
First set: *Littler (0) 1-2 Searle (0) Searle on 136, which he can only trim to 78. He misses double top, but gets an early let-off as Littler misses three darts to break, allowing him to return and tidy up.
First set: Littler (0) 1-1 Searle (0)* Littler hits straight back, taking out double top to hold despite decent scoring pressure from Searle.
First set: *Littler (0) 0-1 Searle (0) *denotes next to throw first Searle gets down to 56 and takes it out with Littler waiting on double top. “Ryan, Ryan, Searle” chant the crowd, to the perhaps overused tune of KC & the Sunshine Band’s “Give it Up.”
Game on!
Ryan Searle to throw first, as the crowd remind the rest of us that “there’s only one Luke Littler …”
Walk-on time! Searle is out first as the lower-ranked player, and receives big cheers from the Ally Pally faithful. The reaction to Littler is more mixed – a few boos before Pitbull kicks in, unless some fans were shouting “Luuuuuuuuke”.
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Pre-game chat from Luke Littler: “People can say it’s mine to lose, but it’s a game of darts at the end of the day … I want to get to the final again, and stay No 1. I expect Ryan to give me a good game.”
And Ryan Searle: “I’ve lost some really close games here before, it’s incredible to be in the semi-finals. I know I’m the underdog but I’ll give it my best shot.” Searle has a condition that affects his vision – to the extent that he sometimes can’t see where his darts have landed. “I hope I can inspire other people, and show what’s possible.”
Luke Littler is the only top-eight seed to make it to the final four – but performances here will see the other three semi-finalists climb the rankings. Van Veen will climb to at least No 3 in the world, with Anderson back up to sixth and Searle eighth as it stands.
Fans are taking their seats, pitchers in hand, in the West Hall. From next year, the tournament will move to the larger Great Hall at Alexandra Palace.
We’re about half an hour away from the opener – and your predictions are welcome. I think if Ryan Searle can settle, he can push Littler early on, but the world No 1’s relentless scoring power may prove too much. Prediction: Littler 6-3 Searle.
Littler v Searle: tale of the tape
Luke Littler
Age: 18. From: Warrington. Seeded: No 1.
Nickname: The Nuke. Title odds: 1-2.
Path to the final: R1 bt Labanauskas 3-0, R2 bt Davies 3-0;
R3 bt Sulovic 4-0; R4 bt Cross 4-2; QF bt Ratajski 5-0.
Best worlds performance: Champion (2025).
Walk-on music: “Greenlight” by Pitbull.
Ryan Searle
Age: 38. From: Devon. Seeded: No 20.
Nickname: Heavy Metal. Title odds: 22-1.
Path to the final: R1 bt Landman 3-0, R2 bt Dolan 3-0;
R3 by Schindler 4-0; R4 bt Hurrell 4-0; QF bt Clayton 5-2.
Best worlds performance: Semi-finalist (2026).
Walk-on music: “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath.
Head to head record: Littler 5-0 Searle.
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Here’s how eight contenders became four in Thursday’s quarter-finals, as we said goodbye to Krzysztof Ratajski, Jonny Clayton, Justin Hood … and Luke Humphries.
Preamble
The Nuke. Heavy Metal. The Giant. The Flying Scotsman. What kind of steampunk terrordome are we walking into tonight? It’s the Alexandra Palace, London and these are the four gladiators still standing after an absolutely vintage world darts championship.
First up, the champion. Luke Littler has been more rattled by the crowd than his opponents on a run to his third semi-final in three appearances. On paper, Ryan Searle looks outmatched – but the Devon dartist has played like a potential winner, dropping just two sets on his way here. If he can start well and get the fans on side, things could get very interesting.
The second match also features a former champion against a form horse, but the roles are reversed for Gian van Veen and Gary Anderson. Van Veen has been the tournament’s standout player and anointed as the most likely to stop Littler. That said, two-time world champ Anderson is a master of this stage with vast experience – and looks close to his clinical best.
In short, it’s a big night – so grab what’s left of your festive snacks and settle in for some of the finest sporting drama you’ll see anywhere in 2026. Game on!
