Luke Littler Starts PDC World Title Defence Amid Prize Money Debate
Luke Littler began his defence of the PDC world title with a convincing 3-0 victory over Darius Labanauskas at Alexandra Palace. Despite Labanauskas averaging 95 and pushing two sets to deciding legs, Littler secured a solid win to kick off the championship.
This year's championship features a record £1 million prize for the world champion, marking a significant increase in prize money. Labanauskas, despite his first-round exit, earned £15,000, while German amateur Arno Merk, with little television experience, secured at least £25,000 by defeating Kim Huybrechts on the opening night. Such prize earnings highlight the event's financial impact on the players.
The tournament has also expanded its field from 96 to 128 players to accommodate growing interest. Responding to demand, next year’s event will move from the West Hall to the larger Great Hall at Alexandra Palace after tickets sold out in just 12 minutes.
However, the boosted prize fund has sparked some concerns within the sport. Notable players like Michael van Gerwen have questioned the fairness of prize distribution, suggesting that the world champion might not need to participate in other tournaments.
Despite these debates, the World Championship remains the sport’s flagship event, preserving its festive atmosphere and continuing to serve as a career-defining opportunity for players.
