In a pulsating finale at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler etched his name into the sport’s history books by defeating James Wade 18-13 to claim the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay title. The victory, sealed with a clinical 115 checkout on July 27, 2025, marked Littler’s maiden World Matchplay triumph and completed the coveted darts Triple Crown, aligning him with legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries. The electric atmosphere, fueled by a raucous crowd, set the stage for a match that showcased Littler’s resilience and flair, cementing his status as one of darts’ brightest stars.
Littler’s journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular. Facing a formidable opponent in James Wade, the 2007 champion who was contesting his seventh World Matchplay final, Littler displayed the poise of a seasoned veteran. The match, a best-of-35-leg affair, began with Wade asserting early dominance, racing to a 5-2 lead by the end of the first session. “I wasn’t happy at 5-0 down. A slow start,” Littler later reflected, recalling a similar deficit in his semi-final clash. Yet, the young star, known as “The Nuke,” refused to buckle. By the second session, he clawed back, winning three of the five legs to trail 7-8, showcasing his ability to shift gears under pressure.
The turning point came in the third session, where Littler’s relentless scoring and precision on doubles began to tilt the momentum. A critical break of throw in the 11th leg, followed by a 13-dart hold, gave him a 13-10 lead. “I can always find a way to come back,” Littler had said earlier in the tournament, and he proved it again, methodically dismantling Wade’s resolve. Despite Wade’s valiant efforts, including a stunning 101 checkout to close the gap to 13-14, Littler’s composure shone through. A pivotal double 10 in the 29th leg secured a 16-13 lead, and moments later, he sealed the match with a 115 finish, sparking wild celebrations. “It’s been a long time since I picked up a trophy,” Littler said post-match. “I won’t be putting pressure on myself. If it comes, it comes.”
Littler’s path to glory was paved with standout performances. His semi-final against Josh Rock was a record-breaking affair, featuring 29 maximums and a breathtaking nine-darter in the eighth leg. Trailing 6-1 early, Littler battled back to win 17-14, a testament to his ability to thrive under pressure. “It definitely sparked me into life,” he said of the nine-darter, which came as both players flirted with perfection. His earlier rounds saw him dispatch Ryan Searle with a 10-2 rout, averaging nearly 109, and survive a tie-break thriller against Jermaine Wattimena, where he overcame a 7-2 deficit to win 13-11. Each match highlighted his knack for staging dramatic comebacks, a trait that has defined his meteoric rise.
For Wade, the defeat was a bitter pill, yet his journey to the final was remarkable. The 40-year-old veteran outlasted Jonny Clayton in a grueling 20-18 semi-final, the longest in World Matchplay history. “I’m ecstatic, tired, exhausted, and really happy,” Wade said after that marathon victory. Against Littler, he showed flashes of brilliance, but the youngster’s consistency proved too much. The final was a rematch of their 2025 UK Open clash, where Littler also prevailed, adding a psychological edge to his performance.
Littler’s triumph earned him the Phil Taylor Trophy and a £200,000 prize, but more significantly, it marked him as the youngest player to complete the Triple Crown, having already claimed the World Championship and Premier League titles. “Everyone knows about the Triple Crown,” he noted. “I’ve got a lot of experience of picking up the World Championship.” His subdued celebration after the nine-darter against Rock—“I didn’t celebrate because I was still annoyed with myself”—underscored his focus and maturity.
The 2025 World Matchplay will be remembered for its high-octane drama and Littler’s coronation as a darts titan. With 64 maximums across the tournament, shattering Adrian Lewis’ previous record, Littler’s performance was a spectacle of skill and showmanship. As he lifted the trophy, the Winter Gardens erupted, heralding the arrival of a new era in darts.
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