PDC Scrapped Incredibly Rare Darts Match That Hasn't Been Seen in 15 Years

The PDC have previously scrapped an incredibly rare match that we haven't seen for 15 years.

On Saturday night, the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship final will take place at the Alexandra Palace in London.

Defending champion and heavy favourite Luke Littler will be looking to win back-to-back titles after thrashing Ryan Searle 6-1 in Friday's semi-final.

Littler will take on 23-year-old Dutchman Gian van Veen, who beat two-time champion Gary Anderson 6-3.

Van Veen is now the world number three and will be looking to become the third Dutchman to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy.

Meanwhile, Littler is looking to become the first man since Anderson to win two world titles in a row.

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Luke Littler is looking to defend his world title. Image: Getty

Back in 2010, the PDC reintroduced a third-place play-off, which was contested by Mark Webster and Raymond van Barneveld.

Webster came away victorious by winning 10-8.

Previously, the third-place play-off was played in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998.

However, the third-place play-off has not been seen since 2010, but no official explanation was given for scrapping the tie.

Speaking ahead of the final against Littler, Van Veen said: "Three or four years ago, I was in Barnsley, struggling with darts and crying at the table. Now look at me four years later - it's all been worth it!

"All the people that work so hard for me - even my parents when I was 12, 13 years old, they were driving me to all my tournaments everywhere in the Netherlands and here we are, unbelievable."

He added: "I struggled with dartitis for many years. I had it about four years ago just before I got my tour card. Even back then when I wasn't struggling, I never thought this would happen.

"To be in a World Championship final, is not even a dream come true because I wasn't able to dream about this, but now it's happened. I'm so happy."