The 2025 World Matchplay Darts final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens delivered a spectacle that will linger in the minds of darts fans, as 18-year-old prodigy Luke Littler clinched the title with an 18-13 victory over veteran James Wade. The match, a thrilling clash of generations, saw Littler overcome a 5-0 deficit to claim the Phil Taylor Trophy and cement his place as the youngest player to complete darts’ coveted Triple Crown—World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay. However, the post-match drama stole headlines, with Wade’s abrupt departure from the stage sparking controversy and prompting World No. 1 Luke Humphries to weigh in on the incident, reigniting tensions from their own heated encounter earlier in the year.
Littler’s performance was nothing short of electric, as he unleashed 17 maximum 180s and hit 44% of his doubles, showcasing the scoring power that has made him a global sensation. Wade, the 2007 Matchplay champion, started strong, racing to a 5-0 lead with his clinical finishing, including a sumptuous 161 checkout on the bull. Yet, Littler’s resilience shone through, leveling the score at 5-5 and eventually taking the lead at 7-6. The match remained a high-octane affair, with both players averaging over 101 and trading breaks. Wade fought back valiantly, narrowing the gap to 14-13 with a 101 checkout, but Littler’s late surge of four consecutive legs sealed his historic triumph. “He absolutely smashed me to bits!” Wade admitted post-match, acknowledging Littler’s dominance while citing a back spasm and an accidental self-inflicted dart injury as minor factors in his defeat.
As Littler basked in his victory, lifting the trophy to a roaring crowd, Wade’s swift exit from the stage drew sharp criticism from fans. “Nice to see Wade stay on stage to watch Littler lift the trophy. Not! P**s poor that,” one fan posted on social media, while another called Wade’s actions “a bit of a p***k move.” Despite the backlash, Wade later took to social media to clarify his departure, emphasizing his respect for Littler. “I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported me this week,” he wrote. “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.” Littler confirmed Wade’s graciousness, noting that the 42-year-old had congratulated him immediately after the match, despite his frustration with crowd noise.
Humphries, who had his own contentious history with Wade, didn’t hold back when addressing the incident. Their rivalry flared at the UK Open in March 2025, where Wade’s provocative behavior—appearing to lick Humphries’ neck during a pre-match embrace—set the stage for a fiery quarter-final. Wade’s 10-9 victory, marked by six 180s and a clutch double 10 finish, was overshadowed by a frosty handshake and Humphries’ slight shoulder barge as he left the stage. In a now-deleted social media post, Humphries vented his frustration: “Everyone loves to see people be a bad loser but I’m generally one of the best losers in the sport. I wasn’t going to give someone who didn’t deserve my respect after what he was doing through the game a hug and be all happy about it, that’s just my honesty.” The incident, criticized as “disgusting” by former player Paul Nicholson, fueled speculation about a possible PDC investigation, though no formal action was taken.
Humphries’ comments on Wade’s World Matchplay exit were measured but pointed, reflecting lingering tension. “Luke is the best player in the world,” Wade had said of Humphries after their Grand Slam clash in November 2024, where he ended Humphries’ title defense with a 5-3 win. Yet, Humphries’ graciousness as a competitor contrasts with Wade’s occasional antics, which have included controversial moments like farting on stage during a match against Peter Wright. Humphries, who has won eight PDC major titles, including the 2024 World Championship, has positioned himself as a role model, even amidst personal challenges like his son’s recent illness, which he cited after his Grand Slam exit. “What can I say… gutted to be out of the Grand Slam,” he shared, prioritizing family over competition.
Littler’s victory, adding £200,000 to his £1.5 million career earnings, has narrowed the gap with Humphries’ £1.8 million tally, setting the stage for a thrilling race in the PDC rankings. Wade, now ranked No. 5, remains a formidable force, with two Triple Crown titles and a strong 2025 season. As the darts world looks ahead to the World Championship, the interplay of respect, rivalry, and redemption among Humphries, Wade, and Littler promises more drama on and off the oche.
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