In a moment that perfectly encapsulated his rapid ascent to the pinnacle of professional darts, 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler made his entrance at the 2025 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals in Minehead on November 21 with a newfound swagger. For the first time, he was introduced not just as “The Nuke” or the reigning world champion, but explicitly as the world number one – a title he officially claimed just days earlier after defending his Grand Slam of Darts crown in emphatic fashion. The subtle shift came in the announcer’s booming declaration and Littler’s own demeanor: a broader smile, a more pronounced fist pump, and an extra bounce in his step as Pitbull’s infectious “Greenlight” blasted through the speakers, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. It was a small but symbolic change, signaling that the teenager from Warrington is no longer the plucky underdog – he’s the man everyone is chasing.
Littler wasted no time living up to his billing as the sport’s top dog, delivering a crushing 6-1 demolition of Swedish qualifier Jeffrey de Graaf in the first round. Averaging a scorching 104.46, the young star fired in heavy scoring, clinical finishing, and an air of complete authority that left his opponent shell-shocked and the audience in awe. De Graaf managed just one leg, a brief consolation in what was otherwise a one-sided masterclass from the player who has redefined expectations in darts over the past two years.
“It felt absolutely amazing, probably one of the best feelings I’ve had, to be world champion and world number one at the same time – but there is more to come,” Littler said afterward, his eyes already fixed on the £120,000 winner’s cheque and the chance to claim a major title that has so far eluded him. Last year, in his debut appearance at this very event, he fell agonizingly short in the final against Luke Humphries, going down 11-7 in a match that highlighted his potential but also the fine margins at the elite level. Now, with the world number one mantle firmly on his shoulders, Littler is determined to tick this one off his burgeoning list of achievements. “This is the title I haven’t won yet. Last year I came up short against Luke Humphries so I want to tick this one off.”
The victory marked Littler’s first match since overtaking Humphries at the summit of the PDC Order of Merit, a feat he accomplished by retaining the Grand Slam of Darts title with a 16-11 triumph over his rival in Wolverhampton. That win not only secured back-to-back Eric Bristow Trophies but also made Littler the youngest world number one in history, eclipsing Michael van Gerwen’s record. In less than two years as a professional, he has amassed an astonishing haul: the World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, UK Open, and multiple European Tour events, along with a string of World Series triumphs. His rise has been nothing short of meteoric, transforming him from a teenage qualifier who stunned the world by reaching the 2024 World Championship final into the undisputed leader of the pack.
Contrastingly, the day provided a stark reminder of the sport’s unforgiving nature for those dethroned. Humphries, the two-time defending champion here and a dominant force for much of the past two years, suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 first-round exit to Dutch rising star Gian van Veen – the same opponent who had edged him in the European Championship final weeks earlier. Entering as a lowly seed due to limited floor event participation, Humphries’ early departure opened the draw wide and removed the possibility of an immediate rematch with Littler in the later stages.
For Littler, the path to glory now looks clearer, though far from easy in a field stacked with talent like Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross, and emerging threats. Yet, his performance against de Graaf – peppered with maximums and effortless checkouts – served as a statement: the target on his back is larger than ever, but so is his appetite to dominate. “Now I’m number one, I’m hungry to stay there. I want to be there for the next few years,” he had declared after claiming the top spot, words that now ring even truer as he strides toward potential history.
As the tournament progresses over the weekend, with a whopping £600,000 prize fund on the line, all eyes will be on whether Littler can add this elusive crown to his collection. If his opening salvo is anything to go by, the new king of darts is relishing his throne – and ready to defend it with the kind of ruthless precision that has made him the most exciting talent the sport has ever seen. With the World Championship defense looming next month at Alexandra Palace, this could be the perfect momentum-builder for a player who shows no signs of slowing down.
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