The darting world is buzzing with anticipation as 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” prepares to take the stage at the 2025 Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 6-7. Fresh off a heartbreaking 11-8 defeat to Luke Humphries in the Premier League Darts final, Littler is the top favorite to claim the title, with bookmakers boosting his odds to an enticing 13/8. Despite the recent setback, the teenage prodigy’s explosive talent and relentless drive make him a formidable contender as he seeks to add another prestigious trophy to his already impressive collection.
Littler’s journey to Copenhagen comes on the heels of a remarkable Premier League campaign, where he dominated the regular season with a record-breaking 45 points and six nightly wins, cementing his status as one of darts’ brightest stars. In the final at London’s O2 Arena, Littler faced off against world No. 1 Luke Humphries in a rematch of their 2024 showdown. The atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting and waving purple shirts in support of the young star. Littler surged to a 3-0 lead with his signature power-scoring, but Humphries, known as “Cool Hand Luke,” battled back, leveling the score at 5-5 by the interval. A pivotal break after the break saw Humphries take control, ultimately clinching the £275,000 prize with a double 10 finish. Reflecting on the loss, Littler remained gracious, saying, “Nobody likes losing, but I’m fine. I am glad to say the Premier League is over, it has been a tough 17 weeks.”
Now, Littler is ready to channel that disappointment into determination at the Nordic Darts Masters. The World Series event, held at Forum Copenhagen, features a 16-player field, including eight PDC superstars and eight Nordic and Baltic representatives. Littler will make his tournament debut against Swedish newcomer Viktor Tingstrom in the first round, a matchup that favors the Warrington native given his proven track record. His favorable draw, which avoids early clashes with heavyweights like defending champion Gerwyn Price and recent Premier League victor Humphries, has fueled optimism among bettors. Littler’s ability to dominate with heavy scoring—evidenced by his record 169 maximum 180s in the Premier League season—and his efficiency on double 10 make him a standout threat.
The Nordic Darts Masters is a chance for Littler to claim his third World Series title, having previously triumphed at the Bahrain and Poland Darts Masters in 2024. His meteoric rise since bursting onto the scene at the 2023/24 World Championship, where he reached the final as a 16-year-old, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now the reigning PDC World Champion after defeating Michael van Gerwen in January 2025, Littler boasts five major titles, including the 2024 Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Series Finals, as well as the 2025 UK Open. His rapid ascent has drawn comparisons to darts legends like Phil Taylor, with former world champion Dennis Priestley predicting Littler could surpass David Beckham’s net worth if he maintains his dominance.
Littler’s rivals in Copenhagen include formidable names like Humphries, who faces Latvia’s Madars Razma, and Price, who defends his title against Cor Dekker. Price, coming off a commanding 8-5 victory over Rob Cross in the 2024 final, praised Littler’s impact after defeating him 8-1 at the Australian Darts Masters, saying, “Luke is playing fantastic darts at the moment, and that probably kicked me into gear.” Humphries, riding the momentum of his Premier League triumph, also acknowledged Littler’s prowess, noting, “When you know you’re playing against Luke Littler, you need to be at your best to beat him.”
The tournament’s format, with the first round on Friday and the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final on Saturday, promises a fast-paced spectacle. Littler’s quick-throwing style and knack for high checkouts, averaging 115.35 in the Premier League, position him well to navigate the field. Fans in Copenhagen and watching on PDC TV and ITV 4 will be treated to a showcase of Littler’s trademark flair, including the possibility of another nine-darter, a feat he’s achieved four times in 2024. As he steps onto the oche, Littler carries the weight of expectation but also the confidence of a champion. With the darts world watching, this could be the moment “The Nuke” explodes back to the top.
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