Luke Littler career prize money as he closes in on record holder | Other | Sport

Luke Littler can take his career earnings to an incredible £3million if he wins a second World Darts Championship crown. The Nuke is the favourite to defend his Alexandra Palace crown after cruising into a third successive final by beating surprise semi-finalist Ryan Searle.

He will face Gian van Veen in Saturday’s showpiece for the right to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy and bank the record £1m top prize, double what Littler received for trouncing Michael van Gerwen in the 2025 final. In a phenomenal two years since turning professional, Littler has won £2m in prize money after winning a host of major titles, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam.

So, how do his career earnings compare with the GOAT of the sport, Phil Taylor, who won an incredible 16 world titles and the same number of World Matchplay crowns during his illustrious career?

The answer is very favourably. Given that Taylor dominated darts for two decades, his career prize money is naturally much higher than Littler’s at present. However, if the Nuke continues his current success over the next few years, it won’t be long before he has overtaken the Power, who banked an estimated £8.5m in prize money over the course of his career.

When Taylor defected from the BDO to the WDC (now the PDC) in the early 1990s, along with a host of other leading players, prize money was significantly less. For example, when Taylor won his first PDC world title in 1995 – his third overall – he received just £12,000. By the time he won his 16th and last world title in 2013, the top prize had swelled to £100,000, still 10 times less than the 2026 prize.

Littler has a little further to go before overhauling Van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, whose career earnings stand at around £10m. While the Green Machine, who entered the sport just as prize money was beginning to surge, isn’t the force he once was, he remains one of the top players in the game. Therefore, it could take a while for Littler to overhaul him in the prize money stakes.

For now, Littler is focused on overcoming Van Veen and becoming a two-time world champion. Speaking after his victory over Searle, he said: “It’s a massive prize, but it’s the trophy on the stage, it’s not the money. 

“I’m repeating myself, but ever since the Grand Slam, I have just said I want to go back-to-back. So hopefully I can lift the trophy again and think about the money after.”