In the electrifying world of professional darts, where precision meets personality, one name continues to dominate the conversation: Luke Littler. The 18-year-old prodigy, affectionately dubbed “The Nuke,” has taken the sport by storm, shattering records and captivating audiences with his meteoric rise. But it’s not just his performance on the oche that’s turning heads—his pre-match routine in the practice room has left fellow players and fans alike in awe, with one darts star calling it nothing short of “unreal.”
Picture the scene: a bustling backstage area, the air thick with anticipation as players warm up for battle. Amid the clatter of tungsten tips striking the board, Littler stands out—not for intense focus or relentless practice, but for something far more unexpected. According to a seasoned Dutch darts veteran who’s faced off against him, Littler spends his final moments before a match munching on sweets and playing FIFA on his console. “It’s unreal,” the player marveled, shaking his head in disbelief. “He’s sitting there with a bag of candy, joystick in hand, while the rest of us are grinding away at the board. Then he walks out and demolishes you.”
This revelation paints a vivid portrait of Littler’s laid-back approach, a stark contrast to the high-stakes tension that defines elite competition. At an age when most teenagers might be sweating exams or chasing social media clout, Littler is rewriting the script for what it means to be a champion. Barely a year into his professional career, he’s already clinched the PDC World Darts Championship title, becoming the youngest ever to do so at 17 in January 2025. His trophy cabinet boasts five majors, including the UK Open he nabbed in March, and his effortless swagger has made him a global sensation.
The Dutch star, a former Premier League standout himself, couldn’t hide his astonishment. “You’re in there, throwing darts, trying to find your rhythm, and he’s over in the corner with a Boost bar and a controller,” he said, chuckling at the memory. “It’s like he doesn’t even need to warm up—he just switches on when it’s time.” That switch flipped spectacularly in Littler’s latest triumphs, including a string of victories over titans like Michael van Gerwen, a three-time world champion who’s felt the sting of The Nuke’s unorthodox brilliance firsthand.
Littler’s journey to the top is the stuff of legend. Hailing from Warrington, England, he’s been hurling darts since he was a toddler, trading a magnetic board for the real thing by age four. By 13, he was nailing nine-darters, and at 14, he claimed his first senior title. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s the world number two, trailing only Luke Humphries on the PDC Order of Merit. His debut season saw him pocket over a million pounds in prize money, a haul that reflects his dominance—and his ability to stay cool under pressure.
Yet, it’s this candy-and-gaming ritual that’s sparked the most chatter. For some rivals, it’s a source of frustration. “You’re out there sweating it out, and he’s just chilling,” the Dutchman admitted. “It’s almost disrespectful—but then he hits a 180 and you realize it’s working.” Others see it as a testament to his unshakable confidence. Littler himself has shrugged off the buzz, sticking to his mantra: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Before his World Championship final win, he told reporters, “I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing—ham and cheese omelette in the morning, pizza before the match, and then I’m ready.”
That routine paid dividends when he faced van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, avenging a loss from the previous year’s final with a commanding 7-3 victory. While his peers were honing their doubles, Littler was reportedly mid-FIFA match, sugar rush in full swing. The result? A performance so dazzling it set a new set average record of 140.91 in an earlier round, leaving the darts world scrambling to keep up.
As Littler prepares for his next challenge—defending his Premier League crown—the spotlight only grows brighter. Fans adore his everyman charm, from his kebab-fueled celebrations to his Manchester United fandom. But it’s this “unreal” pre-match vibe that’s cemented his mystique. In a sport where mental grit is king, Littler’s ability to thrive on sweets and screens isn’t just a quirk—it’s a superpower, proving that sometimes, the sweetest victories come from the most unexpected places.