The world’s top darts players will converge tonight at London’s Alexandra Palace for the 2024 World Darts Championship final, a sold-out event drawing fans from across the globe.Luke Littler and Gian van Veen will renew their rivalry, continuing a captivating narrative that began with a junior championship victory for Littler in 2023. With a £1 million prize on the line, and following upsets that saw defending champion michael van Gerwen eliminated, the final promises a thrilling conclusion to a tournament marked by both extraordinary play and memorable fan displays.
Luke Littler and Gian van Veen are set for a rematch in the 2024 World Darts Championship final in London, a highly anticipated showdown between two of the sport’s brightest young stars. The pair previously met in the 2023 Junior World Championship final, where Littler emerged victorious with a 6-4 win.
The Alexandra Palace has been sold out every session since December 11, and tickets for the remainder of the tournament, including Saturday’s final, are nearly impossible to come by. The atmosphere has been electric, with fans routinely dressing up in elaborate costumes – a recent Wednesday night saw attendees including a Jamaican bobsled team, several jockeys, and even a group of nuns.
The winner of the final will take home a prize of £1 million. Littler is looking to continue his impressive run after defeating Michael van Gerwen, the defending champion, in last year’s final. Bookmakers currently favor Littler to win, offering odds of 1.4 to 1, while a Van Veen victory is priced at 3 to 1.
First Set:
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Van Veen started strong, checking out on 116. Littler quickly responded, leveling the set and taking the advantage of the throw, but couldn’t consolidate, leaving the score at 2-2. Littler opened with a 180 – the first of the match – but failed to build on the momentum. Van Veen had a chance to finish on 170, but missed, and Littler also faltered, allowing the Dutchman to close out the first set with a double 4.
Second Set:
Van Veen continued his impressive form, finishing 145 in the opening leg, followed by a 127 checkout. Littler held his own throw, and Van Veen missed a high score attempt, costing him the leg. Littler then secured his own throw, leveling the set. Both players held their throws throughout the set.
Third and Fourth Sets:
Littler ignited the crowd with a brilliant break, checking out on a massive 170 – the highest possible finish in darts. He then dominated the fourth set, preventing Van Veen from winning a leg, and extended his lead to 3-1, firmly seizing control of the match and putting consistent pressure on his opponent.
Fifth Set:
Play was briefly interrupted by a wasp that entered the arena. The Alexandra Palace’s adjacent halls are heated to accommodate plants, and the insect likely wandered in. Littler wasn’t fazed, brushing the wasp off his shirt and securing the set. Wasp intrusions aren’t uncommon at the venue, and some spectators have even been stung in the past.
