Overview
- Gian van Veen set up a Saturday final against Luke Littler at Alexandra Palace by defeating Gary Anderson 6-3 in a high-intensity semi-final.
- Littler crushed Ryan Searle 6-1 with a 105.35 average and ten 180s to reach his third consecutive World Championship final as the defending champion.
- Van Veen’s breakthrough year, capped by the European Championship in October, has lifted him to a career-high world No. 3 and he is projected to reach No. 2 with victory.
- The Anderson–Van Veen semi featured both players averaging around 103 and each landing a 170 checkout, highlighting the Dutchman’s composure under pressure.
- Their meeting extends a budding rivalry that began in the 2023 World Youth final, with Van Veen winning three of their five encounters in 2025 as darts leans into a youth-driven era.