Winner of Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen must follow strict World Darts Championship trophy rule

Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen must obey a strict rule in regards to the Sid Waddell Trophy they are competing for in Friday night's World Darts Championship final.

Littler and Michael van Gerwen square off in the huge clash at Alexandra Palace after trouncing Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey 6-1 in their respective semi-finals.

In his seventh final, Van Gerwen is hoping to become a world champion for the fourth time - while Littler is hoping to break his record by becoming the youngest in history.

'The Nuke' got to the final in a stunning debut run last year but lost to Luke Humphries in a thriller and is hoping to go one better this time around.

A £500,000 cash prize is up for grabs along with the iconic trophy, but extra information on the silverware has emerged.

Ahead of the tournament, reigning champion Humphries revealed that while players get to take the giant trophy home - they can only keep it for around a year before giving it back prior to the next iteration.

Van Gerwen will be well aware of that rule after his three victories, though it is something Littler will have to get used to. Winners do always get a replica of the trophy which they can keep forever.

Luke Humphries holds the Sid Waddell Trophy aloft. Image: Getty

"You get the trophy you actually pick up on the stage and you get a replica which looks like it," Humphries explained in an interview with Charlie Murphy on TikTok.

"You take the replica home and that stays with you forever. But you also take the trophy you pick up, the famous trophy - and you get it for like 11 months and then you usually have to take it back about a month before the tournament restarts again.

"The World Championship trophy I got given it on the third [of January] and gave it back on November 9 or something. You do get to keep it but not forever.

"You get a replica and the World Championship replica is really nice. It's about half the size but it's exactly the same and it's a really beautiful trophy."

Littler set to win the Ballon d'Art

Irrespective of whether he prevails on the oche, Littler is set to pick up the Ballon d'Art - given to the player who produces the most 180s in the tournament.

Humphries was the inaugural recipient last year but Littler has hit a total of 64 maximums so far - 21 better than final opponent Van Gerwen and Callan Rydz.

Sir Chris Hoy is set to present the prize, which is 840mm tall, weighs 16kg and has three golden darts.