The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as defending champion Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler takes on rising star Gian Van Veen in the final of the PDC Darts World Championship 2026. This much-anticipated match will occur on January 3, 2026, with the tournament narrowing down from 128 competitors to just these two exceptional players.
Match Details
The final will commence at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. GMT / 7 a.m. AEDT (January 4). Fans can catch the live action through various streaming options: it will be available for free on Sport1 in Germany and on NBC Sports Now in the United States. In the UK, viewers can tune in via Sky Sports, while U.S. audiences can also access the match through Peacock and the PDC’s own streaming service, PDCTV.
The road to the final has been remarkable for both players. Littler, at just 18 years old, has shown a fierce determination to defend his title. He dominated the quarter-finals with a decisive 5-0 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski and followed it with a commanding 6-1 win against Ryan Searle in the semi-finals. Littler’s impressive performance, marked by heavy scoring and multiple ton-plus checkouts, has positioned him as the favorite to retain his title.
On the other hand, Van Veen, aged 23, has emerged as a formidable contender during this tournament. Following a stunning 5-1 victory over Luke Humphries, he triumphed over former champion Gary Anderson with a score of 6-3. The reigning back-to-back World Youth champion has demonstrated exceptional skill and composure, particularly on the Ally Pally stage, and will need to maintain this momentum to challenge Littler effectively.
Streaming Options for Global Viewers
For those looking to watch the final from various locations, here’s how viewers can access the live streams:
– **Germany**: The match will be free to watch on Sport1.de.
– **United States**: Viewers can choose NBC Sports Now for free access or subscribe to Peacock starting at $10.99/month. The PDC’s PDCTV is also available for $12.99/month or $74.99 for an annual subscription.
– **United Kingdom**: Fans can watch on Sky Sports, with subscription packages starting at £35/month. Alternatively, a Now Sports membership is available for £14.99 for 24-hour access.
– **Canada**: The final will be streamed exclusively on PDCTV for CA$17.99/month or CA$111.99/year.
– **Australia**: Fans can tune in on Fox Sports or via Kayo Sports with a free trial available for the first week. The PDCTV subscription costs AU$18.99/month.
For viewers outside their home country, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) such as NordVPN can help bypass geo-restrictions, allowing access to preferred streams.
As the countdown to the final begins, fans are eager to see if Littler can make history by becoming the first player since Gary Anderson to successfully defend the world title, or if Van Veen will claim his first championship in a thrilling conclusion to the tournament. The excitement is palpable as the world prepares for this clash of darts titans.
