The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship final culminated on January 2 at the iconic Alexandra Palace, where the stage was set for a historic showdown between rising star Luke Littler and darts legend Michael van Gerwen.
Luke Littler, known as 'The Nuke,' made history as the youngest player ever to reach the World Championship final, capturing the attention of the darts community with his fearless and explosive style. At just 17 years old, Littler's performances throughout the tournament showed remarkable skill and composure, dispatching seasoned opponents with relative ease. Notably, his semi-final match against Steven Bunting was nothing short of masterful, where he averaged over 105 and secured multiple ton-plus finishes to win decisively.
On the other side of the oche was Michael van Gerwen, affectionately dubbed 'Mighty Mike.' The Dutchman, at 35 years old, is no stranger to the World Championship stage, having secured three titles over the years. His semi-final encounter with Chris Dobey was expected to be tight, but van Gerwen showcased his relentless drive to claim victory, preparing himself for yet another shot at the coveted trophy.
With the buzz of the crowd echoing through the halls of Alexandra Palace, both players took to the stage, marking not only a clash of two generations but also contrasting styles of play. Littler's aggressive scoring ability, paired with his remarkable focus, clashed seamlessly against van Gerwen's historical dominance and strategic prowess.
The match turned out to be extraordinary, with Littler storming to an incredible 4-0 lead early on. Van Gerwen, who was once the youngest champion himself, found himself not only battling Littler but also the pressure of maintaining his revered legacy as one of the sport's greatest players. The Dutchman struggled with his doubles, finishing with only 14 of 38, which proved insufficient against Littler's relentless scoring and tenacity.
Despite van Gerwen's experience, he couldn't quite find the extra gear necessary to threaten Littler’s lead, who held on to win with relative ease. The final score stood at 7-3, etching Littler's name in the history books as the youngest ever PDC World Darts Champion, accumulating the £500,000 prize and lifting the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy.
After the match, Littler expressed his joy and disbelief, stating, "I can't believe it. We both played so well. Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You've got to get through a tough field. I can't believe it." His performance throughout the tournament showcased his exceptional skills, including averaging over 100 across five of his six matches and leading the tournament with 76 maximum scores across the board.
Fans and pundits alike have already begun to speculate on what the future holds for Littler. Former champions are often looked upon as torchbearers of the sport, and Littler seems poised to carry the flame forward. With the infrastructure around darts growing and interest spiked particularly among young audiences, Littler's meteoric rise could very well mark the beginning of a new era. Sir Keir Starmer himself praised Littler's achievement, calling it "an inspirational performance under such pressure" and commending his significant impact on the sport of darts.
Conversely, for van Gerwen, the loss is yet another chapter in his enduring legacy. Once seen as the unequivocal king of darts, he has faced mounting challenges over recent years, with this defeat marking the third time he has fallen short in the finals since his last title-run. Despite the loss, van Gerwen's career remains illustrious; he holds over 157 PDC titles worldwide, often celebrated as the best player since the great Phil Taylor.
The aftermath of this final signals not just the crowning of Littler but poses intriguing questions about the future dynamics within the sport. Will Littler's success inspire a new generation of players? Can van Gerwen reclaim his position atop the sport? With the stage set, the answers are only just beginning to reveal themselves. What is certain is the dawning of what could be many incredible chapters to come for darts and its passionate fan base.