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Published 16:28 2 Jan 2026 GMT
Updated 16:28 2 Jan 2026 GMT

The winner of the World Darts Championship 2026 is set to earn more money than any other champion in the tournament's history, to the surprise of many of the sport's fanbase.
Following two weeks of exciting action, the PDC World Championship will finally reach its long-awaited conclusion at Alexander Palace on Saturday, where bookies' favourite Luke Littler is widely expected to secure back-to-back titles.
18+ Be Gamble Aware, 50/1 on Littler to win against Searle
The world number one-ranked star was handed a major boost this week, as his main rival for the prize, Luke Humphries, crashed out in the quarter finals.
Littler won his own quarter final clash with ease, overcoming Krzysztof Ratajski in straight sets.
On Friday, the teenager will take on Ryan Searle in the semi-final, where Littler is widely expected to set up a final against either of Gary Anderson or Gian van Veen.
Whether it is Littler, or one of his rivals, who does manage to get their hands on the coveted trophy, the winner is set to win a record amount of prize money.
This year's champion is set to earn more than double Littler's 2025 prize, with the total set at £1 million for the 2026 champion.
Overall, there is a £5 million pool available for this year's players.
Each of the 128 competitors took home £15,000 as a guarantee, while quarter finalists were awarded
£100,000, and semi-final losers will take home £200,000.
Saturday's runner-up will take home £400,000, just £100,000 shy of the prize for last year's champion!
The changes, although initially first announced last spring, have been met with shock from darts fans.
Taking to social media platform X to express their surprise, one fan called the prize "an insane amount of money" while another simply described the increase as "bonkers."
First round: £15,000
Second round: £25,000
Third round: £35,000
Fourth round: £60,000
Quarter-finals: £100,000
Semi-final: £200,000
Runner-up: £400,000
Only Saturday's final will determine which player gets to take home the grand prize of £1 million.
Follow all the updates from the remaining fixtures here.
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