Luke Littler has been given extra motivation to defend his World Darts Championship title next year, with the PDC confirming a major increase in the amount of prize money. The Nuke took home £500,000 for beating Michael van Gerwen in this year's final but will be playing for twice as much in 2026.

The PDC have confirmed that next year's world champion will receive a £1million fee as part of a broader increase in prize money. An expanded 128-player field will compete for a total prize fund of £5m. More than £25m will be available across PDC tournaments in 2026, representing a historic rise of £7m from the 2025 figures.

Meanwhile, next year's Premier League champion will receive £350,000 from a total prize pot of £1.25m. Prize money will also be increased at the World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship and UK Open.

All four tournaments will carry a £750,000 prize fund, with the World Cup of Darts and World Series of Darts each adding £50,000 to their respective pots.

In a statement, PDC chief executive Matt Porter said: "The £1m prize for the world champion reflects darts’ standing as one of the most exciting and in-demand sports in the world.

"The historic total will rightly attract headlines as the biggest prize ever paid out in the sport. However, the increased prize funds announced today demonstrate our commitment to growing earning potential for players at all levels within the PDC system.

"Expanding the player fields for the World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts will provide more opportunities than ever before for players around the world to feature in televised PDC events.

"The incredible growth of the PDC in recent years has seen darts elevated to levels never seen before both in terms of playing opportunities and global interest and this is a huge moment for all players with the ambition to make it to the very pinnacle of the sport."

It had been rumoured before Monday's announcement that a significant increase in prize money at the World Darts Championship was on the horizon. Littler was quizzed on the speculation last week, describing it as a step in the right direction for players.

He said: "I've not been told anything, but obviously, it's been going around for many years. It's been £500,000 for the past however many years, but I think that's the next big step for us players.

"Obviously, whoever wins it, they'll obviously go straight to number one [in the PDC Order of Merit]. So, if it's this year or if it's next year, I do feel 99.9 per cent sure it'll happen."