Luke Littler Crowned Saudi Arabia Darts Masters Champion

Luke Littler, the teenage darts sensation who has taken the world by storm, added another glittering trophy to his rapidly growing collection on January 20, 2026, by claiming the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters title. The 19-year-old, who celebrated his birthday just a day before the final, delivered a series of electrifying performances in Riyadh, culminating in a thrilling 8-5 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the final showdown.

The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, a brand-new event on the World Series of Darts circuit, drew some of the sport’s biggest names and promised high drama from the outset. Littler, already a two-time world champion despite his youth, entered the tournament with plenty of momentum, having recently bested several top-ranked players and generating considerable buzz with his fearless style.

The road to the title was anything but straightforward for Littler. In the opening round, he faced the legendary Paul Lim, the 71-year-old veteran known for his longevity and poise under pressure. Littler, who had dispatched Lim 6-1 just a week earlier in Bahrain, repeated the feat in Riyadh with another 6-1 victory. While Littler’s average of 89.33 and a lack of 180s didn’t set the stage alight, it was more than enough to progress. Lim managed to snatch one leg with a tidy 96 checkout, preventing a whitewash, but Littler’s back-to-back 14-dart legs at the start set the tone for his campaign.

Looking ahead to the quarter-finals, the spotlight turned to a much-anticipated rematch with Gian van Veen. The Dutchman, who has enjoyed a breakout year—including a European Championship triumph in October 2025 and a run to the World Championship final—was eager for revenge after Littler had thrashed him 7-1 at Alexandra Palace just two weeks prior. Van Veen had confidently dispatched Motomu Sakai 6-2 to set up the clash. “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow but I’m first going to enjoy this win and then tomorrow, hopefully revenge,” Van Veen told ITV4 after his victory.

The quarter-final encounter between Littler and Van Veen delivered all the drama fans could hope for. Van Veen stormed into a 3-0 lead, threatening to turn the tables on his young rival. But Littler, displaying the composure and resilience that have become his trademarks, rallied magnificently. He clawed his way back, ultimately winning six of the next seven legs to secure a 6-4 victory and book his place in the semifinals. According to Sky Sports, “Luke Littler recovered from being 3-0 down to defeat Gian van Veen in a darts match at the Saudi Arabia Masters.” It was a statement win that underscored Littler’s ability to thrive under pressure.

The semifinals brought another stern test, as Littler faced the formidable Gerwyn Price. Price had advanced after a nail-biting 6-5 win over Luke Humphries in the quarters, while Littler’s previous opponent, Van Veen, was left to rue what might have been. Littler and Price traded blows in a high-quality contest, but it was the teenager who edged ahead at the right moments, sealing a 7-5 win and punching his ticket to the final.

On the other side of the draw, Michael van Gerwen was quietly building a head of steam. The Dutch superstar, fresh off his Bahrain Darts Masters triumph, defeated Stephen Bunting 6-4 in the quarters and then overcame Nathan Aspinall 7-5 in the semifinals. Van Gerwen’s consistency and experience made him a formidable opponent, and many wondered if he would make it back-to-back titles in the Middle East.

The final, broadcast live on ITV4 and ITVX starting at 4pm GMT, was billed as a clash between the sport’s present and its future. Littler, dubbed "The Nuke" for his explosive scoring, faced off against "The Green Machine" Van Gerwen, one of darts’ most decorated players. The atmosphere in the arena crackled with anticipation as both men stepped up to the oche.

From the outset, the contest was fiercely competitive, with neither player able to carve out a decisive advantage in the early legs. Littler, however, found his rhythm as the match progressed, producing a series of clinical finishes and timely trebles that kept Van Gerwen on the back foot. The Dutchman, for his part, showed flashes of brilliance and threatened a comeback, but Littler’s relentless scoring proved too much.

In the end, Littler pulled away to secure an 8-5 victory, clinching the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters trophy and a significant payday. Despite the high stakes, none of the 16 players managed to land a nine-dart leg during the tournament, meaning the tantalizing £150,000 bonus remained unclaimed.

Reflecting on his victory, Littler expressed both joy and relief. “I definitely felt good up there and I can’t wait to be back tomorrow,” he told ITV4 after his opening win, foreshadowing the confidence he would carry through the tournament. On lifting the trophy, his delight was palpable, and the darts world took notice: a new superstar had officially arrived on the global stage.

Elsewhere in the tournament, there were notable performances and upsets. Man Lok Leung, representing Hong Kong, stunned Danny Noppert 6-3 on Day 1 before falling 6-4 to Nathan Aspinall in the quarters. Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall each notched 6-1 victories earlier in the event, while Gerwyn Price’s whitewash of Alexis Toylo set up his deep run. The event also saw the likes of Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen maintain their status as perennial contenders, even as Littler stole the headlines.

For Van Gerwen, the defeat was a rare setback in an otherwise stellar month, having secured the Bahrain Darts Masters title just days earlier. Still, his run to the final in Saudi Arabia reinforced his position among the sport’s elite and set the stage for further battles with Littler in the months ahead.

As the curtain fell on the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, fans and pundits alike marveled at the quality of play and the emergence of new rivalries. Littler’s triumph not only cements his reputation as the sport’s brightest young star but also signals a changing of the guard at the very top of darts. With the World Series of Darts schedule packed and the Premier League looming, all eyes will be on Littler to see if he can continue his meteoric rise.

One thing’s for sure: after a week of drama, upsets, and world-class darts in Riyadh, Luke Littler’s name is etched into the history books—and the darts world can’t wait to see what he does next.