A significant new regulation has been unveiled ahead of the World Darts Championship final between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen. The duo will clash on Saturday evening, with Littler looking to defend his crown this year.

The 18-year-old thrashed Ryan Searle 6-1 in the semi-finals, whilst Van Veen overcame Gary Anderson 6-3 to reach his maiden World Championship final. The winner will pocket a record-breaking £1million in prize money.

Meanwhile, the organisation has also revealed the dates for budding darts players to try and secure a Pro Tour Card through Q School. Justin Hood, who has become a new crowd favourite at Alexandra Palace, qualified in the most recent group of UK Q School recruits.

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The UK Qualifying School is staged in Milton Keynes, whilst the European tournament takes place in Kalkar, Germany from January 5 to 11.

However, one regulation alteration has caused uproar amongst supporters.

According to section 5.2 of the PDC Ranking Rules: "Tour Cards shall be awarded to the last two players of each day's play in Final Stage at both the UK and European Q School."

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) states: "Once a player has been awarded a Tour Card they shall not play in the remainder of Q School Final Stage and the next highest ranked players from the relevant First Stage Ranking List will be invited to play.

"Players from this First Stage Ranking List may also be used to top up the field for Final Stage to 128 players in the event of any withdrawals to ensure a full field for each day."

Previously, only the daily winner secured a Tour Card.

This alteration has triggered discussion across social media platforms, with one supporter commenting: "Ridiculous idea. In what way will this improve the standard of the pro tour?".

A second person remarked: "What's the point in playing a final then," whilst a third enquired: "Whose bright idea was that?"

Another fan observed: "They make a positive change by topping up to 128 each day and then go and spoil it by doing that."

The PDPA outlined several additional modifications to its Qualifying School regulations:

• Each First Stage play to 16 qualifiers each day.
• Each Final Stage plays to two winners each day.
• Final Stage winners will be replaced by the next in line from the First Stage tables such that there are 128 players each day allowing points to be awarded for wins in the last 128.
• Players losing their Tour Cards may choose to take Challenge Tour
• Only status rather than compete at Q School.
• Eight highest eligible players from each Affiliate Tour earn free entry with the highest exempted to Final Stage.