Luke Littler made history on January 3, 2025, as he became the youngest player to ever win the PDC World Darts Championship, defeating three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 at Alexandra Palace, London. At just 17 years old, Littler's victory marked him as the youngest world champion, achieving this prestigious title on his second attempt after finishing as the runner-up the previous year.
The final match was highly anticipated, pitting Littler, the fourth seed, against the seasoned Van Gerwen, who had previously held the record as the youngest winner of the championship at age 24. The excitement was palpable as fans flocked to the historic venue, hoping to witness the crowning of the next darts superstar.
Littler wasted no time establishing his dominance, taking a commanding 4-0 lead early on. The first set saw van Gerwen struggle right from the opening leg, as he failed to find his rhythm, allowing Littler to check out 55 effortlessly. This early break of throw set the tone for what was to come.
Throughout the match, Littler showcased remarkable precision and confidence, averaging 102.73 and landing 56% of his double attempts. The young champion's performance was thrilling to watch—his ability to maintain composure under pressure was reminiscent of the greats of the sport. He commented after the match, "I can't believe it. We both played so well. Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy."
The victory also served as redemption for Littler, who learned valuable lessons from his heartbreaking defeat to Luke Humphries the year before, where he led 4-2 before stumbling to lose 7-4. Reflecting on his development, Littler stated, "I learned a lot last year. I keep saying it but the first game against Ryan Meikle was the one."
For van Gerwen, the loss means his wait for his fourth world title continues. He expressed admiration for Littler, exclaiming, "Every 17 years, a star gets born, and he's one of them." Such acknowledgment from his older competitor only highlights the significant achievement Littler has accomplished.
Aside from the personal milestones, Littler's victory could reshape the future of darts, not only within the UK but potentially globally. Eddie Hearn, chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), commented on the burgeoning interest darts has been generating, particularly with younger audiences and plans for expansion, especially targeting the U.S. market. He believes there is significant potential for darts to become as popular as boxing across the Atlantic, asserting, "we are starting to look very diligently at the US market."
Meanwhile, north of the border, the Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) is working hard to find the next star, inspired by Littler's success. CEO Peter Citera, aware of the impact one champion can have, stated, "Our goal is to find the next North American world champion."
While Littler's triumph at the 2025 World Darts Championship will hold special significance for him personally, it could also herald the dawn of a new age for professional darts. The term 'Littler-mania' is already circulating, as both fans and critics recognize his ability to transcend traditional perceptions of the sport.
With 1.5 million social media followers and appearances on popular shows like The Jonathan Ross Show, Littler is already shaping up to be the face of modern darts. His story mirrors other sporting prodigies, aligning him with famous teenage champions across various sports. Just as Martina Hingis, Boris Becker, and Pele showed young talent could thrive on the biggest stage, Littler's potential to dominate the darts world adds excitement to what the future holds.
Luke Littler's 2025 World Darts Championship victory is not just the beginning of his legacy, but could transform the sport for years to come. With rising viewership numbers and increasing global interest, darts seems poised for its next big chapter, and Littler is at the forefront, steering the game to new heights.