At just 18, Luke Littler, the darts prodigy nicknamed “The Nuke,” has already rewritten the record books, and this week, he stands on the cusp of another astonishing milestone in his fledgling Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) career. Having captivated the world with his 2025 PDC World Championship victory, Littler is now poised to potentially become the first player in PDC history to hit five televised nine-dart finishes in a single calendar year during the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, running from June 12-15, 2025. This feat, which would surpass the record he currently shares with Gerwyn Price, underscores Littler’s extraordinary talent and his transformative impact on darts, a sport he’s been mastering since he was a toddler in nappies.
Littler’s journey began at 18 months, when he first gripped a magnetic dartboard in his Warrington home, mimicking the celebrations of legends like Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld. “There’s a video of me when I was 18 months in a nappy listening to Raymond van Barneveld’s music, listening to Phil Taylor’s music, doing their celebrations,” Littler recalled, reflecting on the spark that ignited his passion. By age four, he was throwing on a proper dartboard, and by six, he landed his first 180. His prodigious talent shone early, with a nine-dart finish at 13 and a seniors title at the 2021 Irish Open at 14. Joining the St Helens Darts Academy at nine, Littler dominated youth circuits, winning the 2023 PDC World Youth Championship and multiple Junior Darts Corporation titles. His former coach, Karl Holden, noted, “He was averaging stupid averages that you should be [getting at] like 16 to 20 years old, but he was doing it at 10,” highlighting the exceptional skill that set him apart.
In 2024, Littler’s debut professional season was nothing short of sensational. He stormed to the PDC World Championship final at 16, defeating former champions like Van Barneveld and Rob Cross before falling 7-4 to Luke Humphries. The loss only fueled his fire. He went on to claim 10 titles, including the Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts, and World Series Finals, with a record-breaking 140.91 set average in his 2025 World Championship opener against Ryan Meikle. “I didn’t want to be there,” Littler admitted of that nervy first match, but his 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the final made him the youngest world champion at 17 years and 347 days, surpassing Van Gerwen’s record. His four nine-darters in 2024—achieved at the Bahrain Darts Masters, Players Championship 1, Belgian Darts Open, and Premier League final—tied Price’s record, but a fifth at the World Cup could cement his place in history.
Littler’s pursuit of this record comes as he teams up with Humphries for England at the World Cup, a tournament that promises intense competition. “It’s definitely becoming a frustration in a good way,” Littler said after narrowly missing a nine-darter against Meikle, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of hitting the elusive double 12. His scoring prowess, particularly on treble 20 and double 10, combined with a calm demeanor under pressure, has drawn praise from peers. “He’s just different gravy. He’s brilliant, isn’t he?” said Martin Lukeman, whom Littler thrashed 16-3 in the 2024 Grand Slam final. The “Littler effect” has also transformed darts, doubling junior academy numbers and boosting viewership, with 4.8 million tuning into the 2024 World Championship final.
As Littler eyes Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles—“If I want it, I’m sure I can do it,” he declared—his blend of showmanship and humility captivates fans. From parading his trophy at Old Trafford to racing with Lando Norris at Silverstone, Littler’s star power transcends darts. This week, as he aims for a historic fifth nine-darter, the darts world holds its breath, knowing “The Nuke” is redefining what’s possible.
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