In a gripping finale at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler outshone veteran James Wade to claim the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay title, winning 18-13 in a match that showcased both players’ extraordinary skill. The contest, however, was not without its drama, as Wade appeared to briefly walk off stage during an interval, sparked by a disruptive fan in the VIP section. Days after the defeat, Wade broke his silence, offering a gracious perspective on the loss and his exchange with Littler, while reflecting on a tournament that underscored his enduring prowess at 42.
The match began with Wade, the 2007 Matchplay champion, asserting his experience, racing to a 5-0 lead with clinical precision, hitting 44% of his doubles and averaging over 101. Littler, however, known as ‘The Nuke’ for his explosive scoring, refused to buckle. “Five-nil down once again, I said, ‘I’ve been here before, what are you doing?’” Littler later remarked, highlighting his composure as he clawed back to level the score at 5-5. The teenager’s relentless barrage of 17 maximum 180s—part of a tournament-record 64—overwhelmed Wade’s six, and his 107.24 average underscored his dominance. Wade, despite the loss, remained competitive, breaking Littler’s throw multiple times and narrowing the gap to 14-13 with a brilliant 101 checkout.
The atmosphere at the Winter Gardens was electric, but tension flared during a break when Wade, visibly agitated, confronted a heckling spectator. The incident prompted a brief pause as he spoke with match referee Huw Ware, with Littler also engaging to address the disruption. “A few of the times, there was shouting in the top left corner. I don’t know who it was,” Littler noted, adding that he approached Wade to acknowledge the disturbance: “I went up to James and said, ‘I can hear that now.’” The moment, while fleeting, highlighted the pressure of the high-stakes final, yet both players maintained their professionalism.
Post-match, Wade’s sportsmanship shone through. Littler revealed the veteran’s words of encouragement: “He literally told me, ‘Get up off your arse and practice with me,’” a lighthearted jab that underscored their mutual respect. Wade later shared his thoughts on social media, writing, “It has been a brilliant week of highs and ultimately I’m so happy I made it to the finals last night. A big congratulations to Luke on the win. I’m really looking forward to some down time to recoup. Thank you all. Cheers, James.” His gracious response belied the sting of defeat, his 20th major final ending without a trophy, yet his performance reaffirmed his status as world number five.
Littler’s victory marked a historic milestone, making him the youngest Matchplay champion at 18, six years younger than Wade was in 2007. His path to the final was electrifying, featuring a nine-dart finish against Josh Rock in the semi-finals, where he overcame a 6-1 deficit to win 17-14. Wade, too, had a grueling journey, surviving a 20-18 semi-final thriller against Jonny Clayton. “I think I should have won by a margin, but I also nearly threw it away,” Wade admitted, reflecting on the longest Matchplay semi-final in history.
Despite the loss, Wade’s resurgence this year positions him well for a potential Premier League return, last competing there in 2022. Littler, meanwhile, celebrated with his family and girlfriend Faith Millar, pocketing £200,000 and joining darts’ elite as the fifth player to complete the Triple Crown, alongside Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries. “It means absolutely everything,” Littler said, clutching the Phil Taylor Trophy. “I idolise Phil, he’s come here 16 times and won it. Now my name is on this trophy.”
The final was a testament to darts’ generational shift, with Littler’s raw talent meeting Wade’s seasoned grit. As Wade takes time to recover, his words to Littler and his reflective post-match comments reveal a competitor who, despite the setback, remains a cornerstone of the sport, ready to fight for more major titles.
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