Luke Littler takes on Luke Humphries in what is surely the most talked about PDC World Darts Championship final ever later tonight, as the 16-year-old sensation gets ready to battle it out with new world No 1 in front of a raucous Alexandra Palace crowd.
In what has been a thrilling tournament in north London, the headlines have been stolen by teenager Littler – who has shocked the sporting world to reach the showpiece event after beating two world champions along the way in Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross.
And he hasn’t just won – he has wiped the floor with both of them. Littler looks like he hasn’t been playing on the world’s biggest stage for years and more but in the final, he takes on a man going fully under the radar in the form of new world No 1 Humphries.
Humphries secured his status as the world’s best on Tuesday night after whitewashing Scott Williams 6-0, stretching his unbeaten run to 18 matches. The 28-year-old’s 108.74 is the second highest winning average ever in the semis of the tournament.
The final is set to be an epic showdown, and ahead of the main event, Express Sport has taken a look at the prize money on offer tonight…
World Darts Championship final prize money
At the PDC World Darts Championship, there is £2.5m in prize money on offer, with first-round losers taking away £7,500 before the stakes get even higher as the rounds go on. Third and fourth-round losers get £25k and £35k respectively before those in the quarters walk away with £50k.
The money is then doubled for those who reach the semi-finals and final, with both Littler and Humphries already guaranteed a sweet £200k for securing their spot in the showpiece event in London. But whoever lifts the Sid Waddell Trophy tonight at Alexandra Palace will claim a mammoth £500k.
What has been said ahead of the final?
Luke Littler has told Sky Sports – “It’s not even sunk in yet. I threw big averages on the floor the past year and I’m happy to bring it on to the big stage. I’ve got to stay focused, be Luke Littler and relax. It’s beyond believable. I only set a goal of winning one game and coming back after Christmas and I’m still standing.
“I can’t imagine lifting the trophy. I have to just beat whoever is in front of me. I’ve got to stay mature, got to be myself and keep myself to myself. I’ve got to stay composed and try and get over that line.”
Luke Humphries said to Sky Sports – “It feels amazing. I would never have imagined myself to be the world number one, that is a special, special feeling. And to do it in style – I was really pleased with that performance there.
“But like I’ve said in many, many, many interviews, world number one can last a couple of months, world champion is forever and I’ve got a really tough task tomorrow against Luke [Littler].”
