In a night that will be etched into darts history, 17-year-old prodigy Luke Littler, known as “The Nuke,” ignited London’s O2 Arena with a breathtaking nine-darter on his way to clinching the 2024 BetMGM Premier League Darts title. Facing off against world number one Luke Humphries in a thrilling final, Littler’s performance was a masterclass in precision and poise, captivating a record 14,000 fans and cementing his status as darts’ brightest rising star. The victory, sealed with an 11-7 scoreline, marked Littler’s first major televised title and a triumphant rebuttal to those who doubted his readiness for the sport’s elite stage.
The 2024 Premier League final was a clash of titans, pitting Littler, the teenage sensation from Warrington, against Humphries, the reigning world champion who had bested him in the 2024 World Darts Championship final. The match began with both players trading blows, their throws holding steady as they reached a 5-5 deadlock at the interval. But it was in the 11th leg that Littler unleashed a moment of pure magic. After firing two consecutive 180s, he calmly checked out 141 with a treble 20, treble 19, and double 12, becoming only the second player after Phil Taylor to achieve a nine-darter in a Premier League final. The O2 erupted in pandemonium, with fans leaping to their feet and commentators in awe. “That is one of the best things I’ve seen in a darting arena,” exclaimed Glen Durrant on air. “The atmosphere in the arena is off the scale.”
Littler’s nine-darter was more than a highlight—it was a turning point. The teenager surged to an 8-5 lead, capitalizing on the momentum with legs of 14 and 12 darts. Humphries, ever resilient, responded with a stunning 134 finish to close the gap to 9-7, but Littler’s focus was unbreakable. “I’ve been practicing really hard,” Littler said, reflecting on his performance. “You could see on the oche I was dead focused, I didn’t want to blink.” His composure shone through as he sealed the victory with back-to-back 13-dart legs, pocketing £275,000 and a £40,000 bonus for his four nightly wins in the season.
The road to the final showcased Littler’s dominance. In the semi-finals, he dispatched Michael Smith 10-5, averaging over 100 and firing a spectacular 144 checkout early in the match. Humphries, meanwhile, cruised past seven-time Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen with the same scoreline, setting the stage for a rematch of their Ally Pally epic. Littler’s journey to the title was remarkable, having topped the league phase despite being a debutant. “There were people doubting me when I was selected, but now I’ve picked up the trophy,” he declared defiantly. “They’re not doubting me anymore!”
Humphries, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Littler’s brilliance. “I was trying to stick in there, but there was a big breeze coming through the stage all evening, which is so hard to deal with,” he said. “He’s a fantastic player, he really is. I think we’re the two greatest players in the world right now.” The final was a testament to their rivalry, with Littler now holding an 8-2 head-to-head edge over Humphries since their World Championship clash. Fans on social media were effusive, one calling Littler “the Pele of darts,” while another marveled, “There are no words to describe this kid anymore.”
Littler’s victory adds his name to an elite list of Premier League champions, including Taylor, van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson. At just 17, he’s already a global phenomenon, dubbed “Littlermania” for his role in skyrocketing darts’ popularity. With £315,000 in total earnings from the Premier League and a trajectory that promises more major finals, Littler’s next challenge is the US Darts Masters in New York. As he celebrated with his family and girlfriend, tears in his eyes, Littler’s message was clear: “I’m a major winner, I can put myself in that hat now.” The darts world, it seems, is indeed living in a “Luke world.”
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