The world of professional darts is buzzing with anticipation and excitement as the 2025 PDC World Championship approaches. Two of the sport’s most electrifying figures—Fallon Sherrock and Luke Littler—are making headlines for very different, yet equally compelling reasons. Their stories, woven together by recent performances and historical milestones, are setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable winter at Alexandra Palace and beyond.
For Fallon Sherrock, known to fans as “The Queen of the Palace,” the upcoming World Championship marks her sixth appearance in the last seven years at the iconic venue. Since her breakthrough in late 2019, when she became the first female player ever to win a match at the PDC World Championship by defeating Ted Evetts, Sherrock has been a trailblazer for women in darts. She didn’t stop there—she went on to topple Mensur Suljovic before bowing out in the third round, a run that sent shockwaves through the sport and drew praise from luminaries around the globe.
Speaking exclusively to Darst World magazine, Sherrock reflected on her journey and the evolving landscape of women’s darts. “It just goes to show how strong the ladies’ game is now,” she said. “The standard just keeps rising and you have to be on your game to be able to compete, and that keeps you on your toes and motivated. If you don’t play well, you’ll be out, it’s that simple. To have five female players at the World Championship is incredible, and we’ll all be looking to do well and make our mark when we get our chance to be on stage.”
Sherrock’s 2025 season has been marked by consistency and resilience. She clinched two titles on the PDC Women’s Series and reached six finals throughout the year, ultimately finishing second on the season-end Order of Merit—a comfortable £3,500 ahead of her closest rival, Lisa Ashton. This strong finish secured her place at Alexandra Palace in December, alongside Ashton, Beau Greaves, Noa-Lynn van Leuven, and Gemma Hayter. The presence of five women at the event is unprecedented and reflects the rapid progress of the women’s game.
Her remarkable career includes not only her historic World Championship victories but also a run to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Grand Slam, a final appearance at the Nordic Darts Masters, and the rare achievement of hitting nine-darters on both the PDC Challenge Tour and the MODUS Super Series. Sherrock’s place at the 2025 World Championship was confirmed just days before the final block of Women’s Series events, but she continued to impress—narrowly edged out in consecutive finals by Beau Greaves, posting averages of 96.16 and 95.67 in two tight 5-4 defeats.
“I’ll always have happy memories of playing at Ally Pally, and every time I go up the steps to the venue, I get goosebumps,” she shared. “It’s such a special place, and 2019/20 will always be the one that started everything for me, but I feel like I’ve got more history to write in the future, and I’d love to have another good run there.”
Sherrock’s 20th PDC Women’s Series title came this year, and she came within a whisker of claiming a second Women’s World Matchplay crown, only to be denied by Ashton in a dramatic final. Despite the disappointment, her outlook remains upbeat. “It didn’t go my way against Lisa, but these things happen, and I’m proud that I made another final in the end. There’s loads of positives from that for me to build on.”
With her game in a “really good place,” Sherrock is ramping up her practice ahead of the big stage in December. “I want to make sure I give my absolute best against whoever I play there, and I know I have to put the work in to be able to do that. I don’t fear anyone, and I’ll go up on the stage and enjoy every second of it like I always do. The fans are always amazing at Ally Pally, and I can’t wait to get back on stage.”
While Sherrock is preparing to make more history, the men’s circuit is witnessing a meteoric rise that has left many in awe—and a few, perhaps, green with envy. Luke Littler, just 18 years old, has taken the darts world by storm since turning professional in January 2024. His earnings are staggering: nearly £1,680,500 in ranking tournament prize money, supplemented by another £800,000 from two Premier League campaigns and global World Series of Darts appearances. His rapid ascent has put him on the cusp of becoming the undisputed world No.1, potentially overtaking Luke Humphries if results go his way at the European Championship in Dortmund.
Littler’s impact on the sport has been profound, both on and off the oche. According to his former coach, Karl Holden, “They must be a bit jealous. I think they’re jealous, just because he’s so good and it’s taken them so long to not be as good as him. I think you’re always going to get that. But again, I think most of the players are thanking him very much because ticket sales weren’t that good for the last few years. And then Luke Littler came to the Premier League and everyone was a sellout. So he was like the Box Office.”
Kevin Painter, a former PDC World Championship finalist, echoed those sentiments, crediting Littler with revitalizing the sport. “They’re probably disappointed he’s come along and he’s taken their money off them. But, you know, the boy’s been a breath of fresh air to the game and it was getting a little bit stale, if you like. You know, people were fed up with seeing the same people playing all the time. And obviously, we know that since he came along, dartboard sales, merchandise sales just went through the roof.”
Littler’s journey is not just about personal achievement; it’s about the broader impact on the sport’s popularity and financial health. His presence has driven up ticket sales, packed arenas, and drawn new fans from around the globe. It’s a rare combination of youthful talent and marketability that darts hasn’t seen in years.
As the countdown to the PDC World Championship continues, all eyes are on Alexandra Palace and Dortmund. Will Sherrock add another chapter to her already storied career? Can Littler complete his lightning-fast climb to the top of the world rankings? The only certainty is that both are poised to make headlines, inspire fans, and push the sport to new heights.
With history on the line and the spotlight shining brighter than ever, darts fans everywhere are in for a thrilling end to 2025. Whether it’s Sherrock’s quest for more records or Littler’s battle for the No.1 spot, the drama is just getting started.
