Luke Littler Defends PDC World Darts Title Amid £1m Prize Surge and Expanded Field
Luke Littler successfully defended his PDC World Championship title on opening night by defeating Darius Labanauskas 3-0 at Alexandra Palace. The 2025 championship marked a significant milestone as the winner's prize money reached £1 million for the first time, with the competition expanded to include 128 players, up from 96 previously.
To accommodate increased demand, next year's event will move from the West Hall to the Great Hall, where tickets for the current tournament sold out in about 12 minutes. Despite Labanauskas's first-round exit, he earned £15,000, while Arno Merk, who defeated Kim Huybrechts on opening night, will receive at least £25,000. Merk described this as a stepping stone to turning professional.
The surge in prize money has sparked discussions about its potential effects on the sport. Notably, players like Michael van Gerwen have raised concerns regarding fairness in prize-money distribution and the impact on tournament scheduling. Nonetheless, the World Championship remains the sport's premier event, continuing to draw large crowds and maintaining high levels of fan engagement.
Despite the increased financial incentives, the tournament has retained its traditional format and prestige, presenting a paradox of growth in prize money alongside consistency in structure and appeal.
