Luke Littler Dominates at World Championship, Humphries Falls in Upset
The 2026 World Darts Championship has seen a dramatic shift in momentum, with 18-year-old Luke Littler surging into the semi-finals while his biggest rival, Luke Humphries, suffered a stunning defeat. Littler has seemingly turned the tide with the Alexandra Palace crowd, while Gian van Veen’s impressive victory over Humphries has positioned the young Englishman as the clear favorite to claim back-to-back titles.
Littler’s journey to the semi-finals hasn’t been without its challenges. Following a controversial fourth-round win against Rob Cross, where he was heavily booed and subsequently thanked the audience for funding his prize money, the teenager faced the prospect of a hostile reception in his quarter-final match against Krzysztof Ratajski. However, Littler delivered a virtuoso performance, securing a commanding 5-0 victory and winning over the crowd in the process. “It’s a new year, so there’s a new crowd,” Littler explained, adding that the support he received once on stage was “absolutely unbelievable.”
The atmosphere was markedly different from his previous match, with a rendition of “There’s only one Luke Littler” echoing before the start of play. This positive energy clearly resonated with the young champion, who acknowledged clapping the audience as a gesture of goodwill. “They were on my side tonight and I got the job done,” he stated. He also emphasized his growing mental fortitude, noting, “I am growing as a player mentally, I know how to deal with it.”
Adding to the drama, Humphries, widely considered Littler’s greatest threat, was unexpectedly eliminated by van Veen in a 5-1 rout. The Dutch player’s exceptional performance, averaging 105.41 and hitting 11 maximum 180s, including a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout, has established him as a serious contender. Van Veen expressed his elation after the match, stating, “This smile won’t go off in the next 24 hours. I am so over the moon, I felt really good. It is indescribable.” He also acknowledged the challenge Littler presents, saying, “Luke is a fantastic player and whenever I play him we all know we need to play at our best to beat him and that’s what I did today.”
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1742349999999999999 – A post from the PDC Darts official X account celebrates Littler’s dominant 5-0 victory over Ratajski.
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1742350000000000000 – The PDC Darts official X account highlights van Veen’s impressive win against Humphries.
The semi-final lineup is now complete, with Littler set to face Ryan Searle, who reached the last four with a 5-2 win over Jonny Clayton. Searle’s impressive run is even more remarkable given his battle with Kjer’s optic neuropathy, a hereditary eye condition that impacts his vision. “It’s a hereditary condition, so I’ve passed it to both of my children,” Searle revealed. He explained that his daughter is particularly affected, being registered as visually impaired. “So, if I can raise a lot of awareness for that and try and find a cure for it, that means a lot to me.” Despite the challenges, Searle remains focused on his performance, often relying on the caller to confirm his scores.
Meanwhile, van Veen will face a resurgent Gary Anderson, who has returned to the semi-finals for the first time in four years after defeating Justin Hood 5-2. The 55-year-old Anderson is now within reach of a third world title, a decade after his last, and could become the oldest player to ever win the PDC world championship. He will also equal Michael van Gerwen in second place on the all-time list of champions. Anderson’s victory over Van Gerwen earlier in the week underscored his championship potential.
As the tournament progresses, the focus remains firmly on Littler, who continues to impress with his skill and composure. The question now is whether he can maintain his momentum and secure his second consecutive world title, or if van Veen, Anderson, or Searle can upset the odds and claim the crown. .
