At just 18, Luke Littler, the darts phenomenon dubbed “The Nuke,” has emerged from a rare moment of adversity with a steely determination to conquer the 2025 US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden. Following a disappointing early exit at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, where he and world No. 1 Luke Humphries were humbled by Germany, Littler has broken his silence, vowing to make a statement in New York. With his new girlfriend, Faith Millar, by his side, the reigning PDC World Champion is ready to channel his frustrations into a triumphant performance, aiming to captivate American audiences and reclaim his winning form in the iconic venue.
The World Cup of Darts was a humbling experience for Littler. Partnered with Humphries, the English duo entered as favorites but crashed out in the second round, falling 8-4 to Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in front of a hostile Frankfurt crowd. The defeat, coupled with relentless booing from the audience, sparked criticism from fans and darts legend Dennis Priestley, who claimed Littler and Humphries “let their country down” and questioned their recent MBE honors. Littler, stung by the remarks, hit back on social media, asserting, “Don’t deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did.” Though he later deleted the post, his fiery response underscored his resolve to prove detractors wrong. “It was keihard, certainly for Luke Littler,” Humphries said, defending his teammate while acknowledging the tough conditions. “He’s a grand pionnier for the sport. We should celebrate him, not boo him.”
Refreshed from a family holiday in Spain with Faith and his parents, Lisa and Anthony Buckley, Littler has arrived in New York with renewed focus. “Obviously me and Luke didn’t play the best of darts. We didn’t play too bad, very tough conditions, but now I’m on my own let’s have some fun,” he declared, signaling his intent to enjoy the US Darts Masters and kickstart the second half of his season. The teenager, who boasts a staggering 1.9 million Instagram followers, shared a photo with Faith in matching blue tops, a testament to their growing bond. “Her jetting around to support him in his livelihood marks the next step in their relationship,” a close source noted, highlighting Faith’s role as his biggest cheerleader.
Littler’s history at Madison Square Garden fuels his ambition. In 2024, he made a sensational US debut, dispatching Matt Campbell in under ten minutes with a 103.66 average, electrifying the crowd with his entrance to WWE star Cody Rhodes’ theme song “Kingdom.” Though he fell to Gerwyn Price in the semifinals, Littler’s performance cemented his status as a global star. “I couldn’t wait to get on that stage tonight,” he said last year, a sentiment echoed in his latest vow: “I’m feeling very, very confident. I’ve just had a family holiday in Spain, but now I’m here, I’ll obviously practise before I play.” He faces Jules van Dongen in the first round, a match he hopes will ignite his campaign for the $41,000 top prize in a star-studded field including Rob Cross, Michael van Gerwen, and Stephen Bunting.
Littler’s vision extends beyond personal triumph. He sees darts’ growing popularity in the US, predicting that the sport could soon fill the main arena at Madison Square Garden. “I’m doing some media in the big arena, but I’m sure within a few years to come we’ll be in here and we won’t be in the little theatre,” he said, envisioning a future where darts rivals the spectacle of boxing and UFC at the iconic venue. His confidence is bolstered by his 2024 accolades—Premier League, Grand Slam, World Series Finals, and UK Open titles—making him a 2/1 favorite to win the US Darts Masters.
As Littler steps onto the oche, with Faith’s support and a raucous New York crowd behind him, he’s poised to silence critics and fulfill his Madison Square Garden vow. The World Cup may have been a setback, but for “The Nuke,” it’s merely fuel for his next explosion.
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