In a dramatic showdown at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler cemented his place in history by defeating James Wade 18-13 to claim the 2025 World Matchplay title, completing the prestigious Triple Crown alongside the World Championship and Premier League. The victory, which earned Littler £200,000 and the Phil Taylor Trophy, was a testament to his relentless scoring and composure, as he battled back from a 5-0 deficit to become the youngest ever Matchplay champion. However, the post-match spotlight shifted from Littler’s triumph to Wade’s controversial behavior, as the 42-year-old veteran broke darts etiquette by storming off the stage before Littler could lift the trophy, leaving fans and commentators fuming.
Wade, a former Matchplay champion in 2007, started the final with blistering form, racing to a 5-0 lead with a clinical 44% checkout rate and an average above 101. Littler, undeterred, responded with a surge of brilliance, reeling off five consecutive legs to level the score at 5-5. The teenager’s 17 180s and a 107.24 average ultimately overwhelmed Wade, who struggled to maintain his early momentum. Despite moments of resilience, including a 95 and a 101 checkout to close the gap to 14-13, Wade couldn’t match Littler’s late flurry of four straight legs. The match, a high-quality affair with both players exceeding 40% on doubles, was marred by a disruption from a heckling fan in the VIP section, which prompted Littler to speak with referee Huw Ware during an interval. “I went up to James and said, ‘I can hear that now,’” Littler revealed, noting their shared frustration with the crowd’s behavior.
The real controversy erupted post-match. As is customary in darts, the runner-up typically remains on stage to receive their trophy and participate in a brief interview, a tradition Wade himself honored after losing to Littler at the UK Open earlier in 2025. “I’m the senior dart player, but he absolutely smashed me to bits!” Wade had said graciously in Minehead, praising Littler’s dominance. This time, however, Wade’s emotions got the better of him. After collecting his runner-up trophy from PDC chief executive Matt Porter, the world No. 5 swiftly exited the stage, leaving Littler alone to bask in his moment of glory. Fans took to social media to express their dismay. One supporter wrote, “I can’t believe Wade left the stage before Littler even lifted the trophy!” Another added a sarcastic jab: “Nice to see Wade stay on stage to watch Littler lift the trophy. Not! P**s poor that.” A third fan was more direct, branding Wade’s actions as those of “a bit of a p***k,” reflecting the widespread outrage among the darts community.
Wade’s abrupt departure was particularly striking given his earlier camaraderie with Littler. The pair had practiced together during the tournament, with Wade offering advice on checkouts. “He literally told me, ‘Get up off your a**e and practice with me. 121,’” Littler shared, highlighting their rapport. Post-match, Wade was gracious in defeat, telling Littler, “Well played, brilliant tournament and well done to you.” He also clarified that he hadn’t intended to disrupt Littler’s focus, saying, “I’m not like that,” in response to perceptions that his slow retrieval of darts might have been gamesmanship. Yet, these words did little to quell the backlash, as fans felt his exit disrespected the sport’s traditions and Littler’s historic achievement.
This incident adds to Wade’s polarizing reputation. Known as ‘The Machine’ for his clinical finishing, Wade has faced criticism for past behavior, including a 2018 incident where he shouted in an opponent’s ear and made controversial post-match comments. More recently, he drew ire for appearing to lick Luke Humphries’ neck before a UK Open match, an act labeled “disgusting” by pundits. Despite these controversies, Wade’s 2025 season has been a resurgence, with runner-up finishes at the UK Open and Matchplay propelling him to No. 5 in the world rankings. His earlier comments at the UK Open, where he suggested young players learn from his timing rather than chasing big averages, took on an ironic twist given Littler’s commanding performance in the final.
Littler’s victory places him among darts’ elite, joining Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries as Triple Crown winners. At just 18, his £1.5 million in career earnings and global fame underscore his meteoric rise. For Wade, the loss stings, but his competitive fire remains evident. As he later posted on social media, “I’m really looking forward to some down time to recoup. Thank you all. Cheers, James.” Whether this incident will lead to sanctions remains unclear, as darts etiquette is customary rather than mandatory. For now, Littler’s triumph and Wade’s exit have sparked a heated debate, with fans divided between celebrating a new darts icon and questioning the sportsmanship of a veteran who let his emotions take center stage.
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