In the electrifying world of professional darts, 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler has surged to the top of the PDC’s alternative world rankings, a form guide that measures players’ performances over their last 200 legs played. As the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay approaches, Littler’s blistering form has positioned him as the standout performer, outshining even the reigning world No. 1, Luke Humphries, who sits in third. This latest ranking, based on metrics like averages, double percentages, and big checkouts, underscores Littler’s meteoric rise and sets the stage for a thrilling showdown at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Littler, known as ‘The Nuke,’ has been a revelation since bursting onto the PDC scene. His recent performances, including a commanding victory at the UK Open and a retained title at the Belgian Darts Open, have propelled him to the pinnacle of the form guide. Over his last 200 legs, Littler averaged an astonishing 100.97, making him the only player to break the 100 barrier in this metric. His 42.54% checkout rate on doubles further cements his dominance, showcasing his ability to combine raw scoring power with clinical finishing. “I know Luke Humphries, I said it earlier on, he’s got a lot to defend so maybe I could get to world No.1,” Littler declared after his PDC Masters performance in February, hinting at his ambition to topple Humphries not just in form but in the official PDC Order of Merit, where he currently ranks second.
Trailing Littler is Stephen Bunting, a resurgent force who has climbed to fourth in the official world rankings. ‘The Bullet’ averaged 99.48 over his last 200 legs, with a 42.36% double success rate, reflecting his consistency and growing threat. Bunting’s 2025 season has been marked by victories in a European Tour event, a Players Championship, and two World Series of Darts tournaments, making him a dark horse for the World Matchplay. “Bunting is potentially the most serious threat to Littler & Humphries at the World Matchplay,” noted PDC statistician Christopher Kempf, highlighting Bunting’s improving averages and 180-scoring prowess, though his four ton-plus checkouts indicate room for growth in big finishes.
World No. 1 Luke Humphries, nicknamed ‘Cool Hand Luke,’ rounds out the top three with a 98.90 average and a 40.55% double percentage. Despite his stellar 2025, which included a Premier League title and a Players Championship Finals victory, Humphries has been overshadowed by Littler’s form. His recent performances, while still elite, show a slight dip compared to Littler’s relentless consistency. Humphries, who begins his World Matchplay title defense this weekend, remains a formidable force, but his third-place ranking in the form guide suggests he’ll need to elevate his game to fend off Littler and others. “Humphries is now well aware that Littler… is a heavy favourite on form,” Kempf observed, pointing to their intense rivalry, with Humphries holding a slight edge in their 2024 head-to-heads, including an 11–7 win in the Players Championship Finals.
The form guide also highlights two Dutch prospects, Gian van Veen and Dirk van Duijvenbode, who rank sixth and tenth, respectively. Van Veen, a 22-year-old rising star, posted a 97.28 average and an impressive 48.81% on doubles, fresh off his first PDC ranking title earlier this year. “The next prodigy (prodigies) are just round the corner,” one fan remarked online, reflecting excitement about Van Veen’s potential. Van Duijvenbode, despite a challenging 2024 due to injuries, has rebounded with a 97.13 average, signaling a return to form just in time for Blackpool. Their presence in the top ten underscores the depth of talent in the PDC, with young players challenging established stars.
Littler’s ascent to the top of the form guide comes on the heels of a remarkable year. After reaching the 2024 PDC World Championship final as a 16-year-old outsider, he claimed the 2025 title against Michael van Gerwen, becoming the youngest world champion at 17 years and 347 days. His third televised nine-darter in the 2025 Premier League and a record-breaking 140.91 set average against Ryan Meikle at the World Championship highlight his extraordinary talent. Yet, despite his dominance in the form guide, Littler trails Humphries in the official rankings due to the PDC Order of Merit’s two-year prize money system, which favors Humphries’ longer track record. “Littler has only been playing regularly for one [year],” making his climb to world No. 2 all the more impressive.
As the World Matchplay looms, Littler’s form makes him a favorite, but Humphries and Bunting are poised to challenge. Michael van Gerwen, ranked eighth in the form guide with a 98.18 average, remains a wildcard despite a title drought. “Van Gerwen has been going through what many perceive to be a poor run of form… but his recent run hasn’t been quite as bad as some might make out,” Kempf noted, suggesting ‘Mighty Mike’ could still make waves. With Littler’s scoring power, Bunting’s consistency, and Humphries’ experience, the 2025 World Matchplay promises a clash of titans, with ‘The Nuke’ leading the charge.
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