In the electrifying world of professional darts, where precision meets passion, Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy known as ‘The Nuke,’ stands at a pivotal crossroads. Fresh off his historic triumph as the youngest-ever PDC World Darts Championship winner in January 2025, Littler has hinted at potentially boycotting the upcoming World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, Germany, scheduled for June 2025. His cryptic social media post following a semi-final loss at the Munich Grand Prix in April 2025 sparked widespread speculation, prompting a stern warning from former world No. 1 Colin Lloyd. “I’d be shocked and disappointed if he didn’t play,” Lloyd declared, emphasizing the significance of representing England alongside world No. 1 Luke Humphries in what could be a “formidable pairing.”
Littler’s meteoric rise has captivated the darts community. Since bursting onto the scene at the 2024 World Championship, where he reached the final at age 16, he has amassed an astonishing £1.08 million in prize money and claimed 10 professional titles, including the Premier League, World Series Finals, and Grand Slam of Darts. His 2025 World Championship victory over Michael van Gerwen, a 7-3 masterclass at Alexandra Palace, saw him average 102 and throw 12 180s, earning him the Sid Waddell Trophy and the Ballon D’Art for the tournament’s most maximums (76). “It’s another week, more points on the board,” Littler said earlier this year, reflecting his relentless drive after dominating the Premier League in Newcastle. Yet, his recent experiences in Germany, where hostile crowds booed him during events like the Munich Grand Prix and a Premier League round in Berlin, have left a mark. “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway,” he posted on social media, hinting at reluctance to return for the World Cup.
The World Cup of Darts, a unique team event featuring 40 nations, selects players based on the PDC Order of Merit, which ranks competitors by prize money earned over two years. Littler, now ranked No. 2 after his World Championship win, is eligible to pair with Humphries, who holds the top spot with £1.496 million in earnings. This potential duo has sparked excitement, with Lloyd arguing that Littler’s absence would be a missed opportunity to cement his legacy. “He’s got to put these crowd reactions behind him,” Lloyd insisted, urging the teenager to channel the adversity into motivation. Stephen Bunting, a two-time major champion, has even positioned himself as a potential replacement, cheekily noting, “If he doesn’t go back to Germany, that means I’m in the World Cup, doesn’t it?” Bunting’s readiness underscores the high stakes of Littler’s decision.
Littler’s struggles in Germany contrast sharply with his dominance elsewhere. In 2024, he hit a record-tying four nine-darters, won titles in Bahrain, Austria, Belgium, and Poland, and became the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. His World Championship run saw him dispatch Ryan Meikle, Ian White, Ryan Joyce, Nathan Aspinall, and Stephen Bunting before outclassing Van Gerwen. “I don’t really know what 2025 will hold,” Littler said after his quarter-final win over Joyce, a match where he averaged 103 and threw 14 180s but expressed disappointment at missing a fifth nine-darter. His perfectionism and pressure to perform have been evident, particularly in Germany, where he lost to Gian van Veen in Munich and faced a raucous crowd.
The darts community is divided on Littler’s potential snub. Some fans support his frustration, citing the unwelcoming German audiences, while others, like Lloyd, see the World Cup as a chance to showcase his resilience. “He’s transformed the sport,” said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, praising Littler’s “mesmerising performance” in January. With the 2026 World Championship set to offer a £1 million top prize, Littler’s trajectory suggests more records will fall. For now, the darts world awaits his decision on Frankfurt, hoping ‘The Nuke’ will embrace the challenge and add another chapter to his extraordinary story.
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