Overview
- Littler averaged about 106, struck 16 180s, hit a 170 checkout during the match and sealed the title with a 147 finish.
- He is the first back-to-back champion since 2016 and only the fourth ever, joining Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson.
- The winner’s cheque rose to a record £1 million, double last year’s payout, reflecting the championship’s expanded commercial scale.
- The victory widens Littler’s advantage as world No. 1 after a year in which he also held the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam and Players Championship titles.
- Runner-up Gian van Veen, 23, reached his maiden final after defeating Gary Anderson, climbs to world No. 3 and has charted a rise after previous struggles with dartitis.