Luke Littler gained his second consecutive UK Open darts title on Sunday, beating James Wade within the remaining to say a £120,000 prime prize.
Luke Littler beat James Wade to win his second UK Open (Picture: Shutterstock) This text incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
Luke Littler secured his second UK Open on Sunday with victory over James Wade. Nevertheless, of the £120,000 winner’s cheque he collected, he is more likely to give up practically half to the taxman.
The Nuke maintained his blistering PDC kind in Minehead throughout the weekend, overcoming challengers together with Danny Noppert and Josh Rock to succeed in the ultimate for consecutive years. Wade was his opponent as soon as extra and, as was the case 12 months prior, Littler emerged triumphant, this time prevailing 11-7. All through 2026, he has epitomised supremacy, claiming a second World Darts Championship crown in January earlier than capturing his maiden World Masters trophy in February. A considerable £1million was on provide for his Ally Pally triumph, with an additional £100k banked on the Masters.
However, one minor downside to those victories is that Littler now sits throughout the prime tax threshold. HMRC classifies skilled prize cash earned by sportspeople as taxable earnings, which means the darts sensation’s UK Open earnings will take a substantial knock.
From the £120k winner’s prize he collected in Minehead, roughly 45 per cent is predicted to be eliminated as an Earnings Tax cost. Moreover, an additional two per cent in Nationwide Insurance coverage contributions will doubtless should be settled.
Consequently, Littler’s £120k windfall may shrink to roughly £63,600 following tax and Nationwide Insurance coverage deductions totalling £56,400. Though this stays an estimate. That determine excludes any administration charges or journey bills, that are tax-deductible however may additional diminish his precise take-home pay.
His Worlds prize cash suffered a considerable discount in January, with estimates suggesting he confronted a tax legal responsibility of as much as £450,000. That is earlier than Nationwide Insurance coverage contributions.
But talking following his Ally Pally semi-final conquer Ryan Searle, Littler remarked: “It is a large prize. However it’s the trophy on the stage, it isn’t the cash.”
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