Luke Littler set to have chance to win £1MILLION as darts chiefs make unprecedented prize money decision
Luke Littler Set for £1 Million Jackpot as PDC Announces Record-Breaking Prize Money
Luke Littler will have the chance to claim a historic £1 million if he successfully defends his PDC World Darts Championship title in January 2026.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has announced a major increase in prize money, doubling the winner’s purse for the Sid Waddell Trophy to £1 million. This follows a groundbreaking £125 million, five-year TV deal with Sky Sports.
Littler, who became the youngest world champion at 17, pocketed £500,000 after his triumph in January 2025. Now, the stakes are even higher as the tournament expands to a 128-player field competing for a record £5 million prize fund.
Unprecedented Growth in Darts Prize Money
The PDC’s new £25 million prize structure, an increase of £7 million from 2025, will see substantial boosts across all major events:
- Premier League: £1.25 million total prize pool (up from £1 million), with the winner earning £350,000
- Grand Slam of Darts: Expanded to 48 players for its 20th edition in 2026
- World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship, and UK Open: Each event’s prize fund rises to £750,000
PDC Leadership Speaks Out
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter hailed the move as a major milestone:
“The £1 million prize for the World Champion reflects darts’ status as one of the most exciting global sports. The increased prize funds also show our commitment to growing opportunities for players at all levels.”
Matchroom Sport President Barry Hearn and PDC executives unveiled the new financial structure to players at Players Championship 9 in Leicester.
Littler’s Earnings So Far
Since bursting onto the scene, Littler has already amassed £1.43 million in prize money, including:
- 2025 World Championship: £500,000
- 2024 Grand Slam of Darts: £150,000
- European Tour: £91,000
- Premier League Darts (unranked): £315,000
With darts growing at an unprecedented rate, Littler and the sport’s biggest stars are set for record-breaking earnings in 2026.
