The AFAS Live arena in Amsterdam pulsed with electric energy on September 14, 2025, as the World Series of Darts Finals delivered a spectacle that will linger in the memories of darts fans worldwide. In a gripping final, Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen, the World No. 3, faced off against teenage prodigy Luke Littler, the defending champion. The clash was more than a contest for the title—it was a redemption story for van Gerwen, who, at 36, had endured a challenging two years without a televised PDC title. When the dust settled, van Gerwen emerged victorious with an 11-7 scoreline, clinching his sixth World Series of Darts Finals crown in front of a roaring home crowd. The emotional peak came when his young daughter, Zoe, joined him on stage, lifting the golden trophy in a heartwarming moment that left the Dutch star near tears.
Van Gerwen’s journey to this moment was anything but straightforward. The past few months had been turbulent, with personal challenges, including a marriage split, compounding the pressure of a prolonged title drought. His last televised triumph had come at this very event in 2023, and doubts had begun to swirl about whether “Mighty Mike” could still compete with the sport’s new wave of talent, led by the meteoric Littler. Yet, in Amsterdam, van Gerwen silenced the skeptics with a performance that blended clinical precision with raw emotion. “We all know what difficulties I’ve had in the last few months,” he told reporters post-match, his voice heavy with sentiment. “But to do it in front of my home crowd means a lot to me, it’s amazing. I’ve never been away, but I’ve had to dig really deep to do this. I love what I do. I hope this is the beginning of a lot more.”
The final began with both players showcasing their pedigree. Van Gerwen, buoyed by the partisan crowd, opened with a maximum 180 and pinned double 4 to claim the first leg. Littler, unfazed by the hostile atmosphere, responded with a 13-darter and a clinical 90 checkout to break for a 2-1 lead. The Dutchman, however, fed off the energy, breaking back and edging ahead 3-2 at the first interval with a composed 50 finish. The match’s intensity ramped up as Littler, the 18-year-old sensation, stormed out of the break with a 10-dart leg, leveling at 3-3. The crowd’s fervor reached fever pitch, and a controversial moment unfolded when Littler, distracted by whistling from the stands, missed a crucial dart at tops. Van Gerwen capitalized, surging to a 5-3 lead and then stretching it to 6-4 with three consecutive legs.
The third session was a rollercoaster. Littler clawed back to 6-5 with an 85 checkout and leveled at 6-6, gesturing defiantly to the crowd. But van Gerwen’s experience shone through. When Littler missed chances to take the lead, the Dutchman pounced, opening a 9-6 gap. The decisive blow came in the 18th leg, where van Gerwen unleashed a sensational 130 checkout, splitting double 16 to seal the victory. His 98.37 average reflected a masterclass in clutch finishing, while the £80,000 prize was a sweet reward for his resilience.
Littler’s path to the final had been no less dramatic. He staged a stunning comeback in the semifinals, overcoming Gerwyn Price 11-10 after trailing 9-5. Earlier, he dispatched Ross Smith 10-8 in the quarterfinals. Despite the loss, Littler remained gracious, acknowledging van Gerwen’s resurgence: “He’s been playing some of his best darts, it’s good to see him back, he’s had a tough time. If he keeps playing like that, there are going to be some good battles.” The teenager’s performance, though falling short, underscored his status as a generational talent, with his 108-plus average in parts of the match signaling his relentless scoring power.
Van Gerwen’s route to the final was equally commanding. He dismantled world No. 1 Luke Humphries 10-5 in the quarters and cruised past Josh Rock 11-6 in the semis, entering the final brimming with confidence. The victory was a testament to his enduring class, dispelling doubts about his ability to compete with younger stars. As Zoe joined him on stage, lifting the trophy with her father, the moment crystallized van Gerwen’s personal and professional triumph. “I’m 35, he’s 17. Every 17 years, a star gets born,” he had joked earlier in the year after losing to Littler in the World Championship final, but in Amsterdam, it was clear that van Gerwen’s star still burns brightly.
This victory marks a turning point for van Gerwen, who has now won 157 PDC titles and remains a titan of the sport. For Littler, the defeat is a minor setback in a career destined for greatness. The darts world is buzzing with anticipation for their next encounter, as this rivalry promises to define the sport’s future. For now, Amsterdam belongs to van Gerwen—and to Zoe, whose proud smile lit up the stage as brightly as her father’s darts.
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