In a dazzling display of skill and resilience, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler clinched his maiden Betfred World Matchplay title on July 27, 2025, defeating James Wade 18-13 in a thrilling final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. The victory marked Littler’s completion of the coveted PDC Triple Crown—joining the elite ranks of Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries as the fifth player to win the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay. The high-octane clash, which saw Littler overcome a 5-0 deficit, was punctuated by a record-breaking 64 tournament 180s, including 17 in the final alone, and a 107.24 average that showcased his relentless scoring prowess. “It means absolutely everything,” Littler declared, clutching the Phil Taylor Trophy. “My idol, Phil, has come here and won it 16 times. Now my name is on this trophy, and I can say I’ve completed the Triple Crown.”
The road to the final was anything but smooth. Littler, who had stunned the darts world with a nine-darter in his semi-final comeback against Josh Rock, faced early pressure from Wade, the 2007 champion and world No. 5, who stormed to a 5-0 lead with clinical finishes, including an 83 checkout. “Five-nil down once again, I said, ‘I’ve been here before, what are you doing?’” Littler recounted, reflecting on his knack for clawing back from deficits. Undeterred, he swept the second mini-session, winning five consecutive legs in 15 darts or fewer, leveling the score with a display of precision that left Wade without a dart at a double. “I managed to pull it out of the bag and win the next five,” Littler said, crediting his ability to shift gears when it mattered most.
Wade, 42, brought his trademark grit, having reached his seventh Matchplay final after a grueling 20-18 semi-final win over Jonny Clayton. His 44% doubles accuracy and 101.54 average kept him in contention, with a bullseye finish in the 19th leg and a 101 checkout narrowing the gap to 14-13. “I’m the senior dart player, but he absolutely smashed me to bits!” Wade admitted after their earlier 11-2 UK Open final loss in March. Yet, Littler’s firepower proved decisive, as he surged ahead with a 97 finish and sealed the match with a stylish 115 outshot (20-57-38). “James started to drop off a bit, and I started to find my best darts,” Littler noted, highlighting his ability to capitalize on momentum shifts.
The victory was sweetened by a pre-tournament exchange with Wade, who had offered blunt advice during practice. “He literally told me, ‘Get up off your arse and practice with me. 121,’” Littler revealed with a chuckle, recalling Wade’s insistence on drilling checkouts from 121 to 170. The session proved invaluable, sharpening Littler’s finishing, though he nearly threw a second nine-darter in the final, missing the eighth dart. Wade, gracious in defeat, embraced Littler post-match, whispering, “Well played, brilliant tournament and well done to you,” a sentiment Littler shared with Tungsten Tales. However, Wade’s swift exit from the stage after collecting his runner-up trophy sparked debate among fans, who expected a post-match interview, though he later expressed pride in his performance: “It has been a brilliant week of highs, and I’m so happy I made it to the finals last night.”
Littler’s path to the £200,000 prize was marked by resilience, from a 10-2 rout of Ryan Searle to a 13-11 tiebreak over Jermaine Wattimena and a 16-14 quarter-final win against Andrew Gilding, where he set a record with 18 180s. His semi-final nine-darter against Rock, in a leg where both players threw back-to-back 180s, was dubbed “the most perfect of perfect legs” by analyst Chris Hammer. Wade, too, showcased longevity, averaging over 100 in wins over Joe Cullen (104.4), Wessel Nijman (102.5), and Clayton (101.8). “I’m ecstatic, tired, exhausted, and really happy,” Wade said after his semi-final, though he lamented nearly squandering a 16-10 lead.
The final, a repeat of Littler’s UK Open demolition of Wade, underscored his dominance, with a 4-1 head-to-head record over the veteran. Littler, now the youngest Matchplay champion at 18, eclipsed Wade’s 2007 record set at 24. “I’m happy I can pull myself out of these scorelines, but I don’t want to be 5-0 down again,” Littler quipped, eyeing future majors like the World Grand Prix. Despite a heckling fan incident that prompted a brief exchange with referee Huw Ware, Littler remained focused, cementing his status as darts’ brightest star and a worthy Triple Crown holder.
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