The Winter Gardens in Blackpool, a storied venue synonymous with darts history, is set to host the 2025 World Matchplay, and all eyes are on 18-year-old prodigy Luke Littler. The reigning PDC World Champion, known as “The Nuke,” is chasing his first Matchplay title, aiming to join an elite group of players who have claimed the coveted Triple Crown—comprising the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay. John Henderson, a veteran darts player with a less-than-stellar record at the event, has tipped Littler to succeed where he struggled, citing one key factor that hindered his own performances: the sweltering heat of the Winter Gardens. “I always found the Matchplay… I think Winter Gardens was probably one of the best venues, but I struggled because of the heat,” Henderson admitted, recalling the oppressive conditions of Blackpool in mid-July. Yet, he believes Littler’s fearless mindset and youthful energy will help him thrive in this cauldron of competition.
Henderson, who managed just one victory in his World Matchplay career against Colin Lloyd, described the tournament as one of his favorites despite his challenges. “The tournament itself was fantastic, it really was,” he said, praising the electric atmosphere fueled by a passionate crowd, many on holiday, including Scots who traveled to support their players. The Winter Gardens’ unique setting—its balconies, lights, and proximity of fans to the stage—creates a theatrical experience unlike any other in darts. “It was great, the crowd were magic, they were so close to the stage,” Henderson noted, reminiscing about the venue’s allure. For Littler, this iconic stage offers a chance to etch his name alongside legends like Phil Taylor, who dominated with 16 Matchplay titles. Henderson is confident in Littler’s prospects, stating, “Luke will go up there with no fear like he normally does. Just another game of darts, and that’s the way he looks at it, another game of darts. His attitude’s fantastic.”
Littler, ranked world No. 2, enters the 2025 World Matchplay as a favorite, facing Ryan Searle in the first round on July 20. His debut last year ended in a 10-6 defeat to Michael van Gerwen, but Littler avenged that loss by beating the three-time champion in the 2025 PDC World Championship final, becoming the youngest world champion at 17 years and 347 days. His meteoric rise has transformed darts, with a phenomenon dubbed “Littlermania” drawing new fans to the sport. Lorraine Winstanley, a Women’s World Matchplay star and mentor to Littler through Target Darts’ Elite 1 program, marveled at his impact: “What Luke has done for the game is what Fallon [Sherrock] has done for the women’s side of the game. He’s burst onto the scene and he doesn’t disappoint, does he?” She recalled Littler’s confidence at age 12, when he predicted a 3-0 win over her husband, Dean Winstanley, and delivered, leaving the former PDC Tour card holder stunned. “He wasn’t saying it in a cocky way, it was a statement,” Winstanley said, highlighting his precocious talent.
Littler’s journey began at 18 months, throwing darts at a magnetic board, and by age six, he was hitting 180s. Now, with five major PDC titles—including the 2024 Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Series Finals, plus the 2025 UK Open—he’s a force to be reckoned with. His nine-dart finishes, including two televised ones in 2024, showcase his scoring prowess and flair for the dramatic. However, the World Matchplay’s unique challenges, like its intense heat and best-of-19-leg first-round format, test even the best. Henderson, who struggled with excessive sweating in the “roasting” Winter Gardens, believes Littler’s physical condition and mental resilience give him an edge. “I’ve lost a lot of weight since the last time, so I might have handled it better now,” Henderson reflected, suggesting Littler’s youth could help him cope with the conditions.
The 2025 field is stacked, with world No. 1 Luke Humphries, the defending champion, facing Gian van Veen, and Gerwyn Price, in scintillating form after a recent Euro Tour win, tipped as a dark horse. Pundits like Alan Warriner-Little, a two-time Matchplay finalist, lean toward Humphries, citing his consistency, but acknowledge Littler’s potential. “Luke Littler will be many people’s favourite and why not?” Warriner-Little said, though he cautioned, “This is a very unique event.” Littler’s first-round opponent, Searle, known as “Heavy Metal,” poses a threat despite his visual impairment from dominant optic atrophy. Searle’s 2023 nine-darter at the Grand Slam, achieved despite blurred vision, underscores his resilience. “I couldn’t really tell it was there, it was the crowd that told me,” he said of the moment, adding that contact lenses have boosted his game.
Littler’s confidence is palpable. After last year’s loss, he declared, “If I win it, I join that ‘Triple Crown’ group, so that is what I am focusing on.” His ability to handle pressure, honed through media scrutiny and high-stakes matches, has impressed mentors like Winstanley, who noted, “He’s grown massively in his ability to deal with the media.” As Blackpool’s Winter Gardens prepares for another week of darting drama from July 19-27, Littler’s fearless approach and pinpoint accuracy make him a prime contender to claim the £200,000 prize and cement his legacy. Whether he can navigate the heat, the crowd, and a formidable field remains to be seen, but as Henderson predicted, Littler’s unflappable attitude could make all the difference in this iconic arena.
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