At just 18, Luke Littler has transformed darts from a pub pastime into a global spectacle, and his trajectory suggests he’s on course to amass a fortune exceeding £10 million, according to former world champion Dennis Priestley. The teenage sensation, dubbed “The Nuke,” has dominated the sport since turning professional in 2024, with a historic PDC World Championship victory over Michael van Gerwen in January 2025 cementing his status as a generational talent. Sitting second in the PDC Order of Merit with £1.3 million in ranking tournament earnings, Littler’s financial ascent is poised to outstrip even the legendary Phil Taylor, who earned an estimated £8.5 million over his storied career. Yet, Priestley cautions that while the money will come easily, emulating Taylor’s unparalleled dominance may prove elusive.
Littler’s breakthrough came at Alexandra Palace, where he became the youngest PDC world champion at 17, pocketing £500,000 for his 7-3 rout of Van Gerwen. His earnings don’t stop there—additional prize money from the Premier League, World Series Finals, and World Youth Championships, plus lucrative sponsorships, have pushed his net worth to an estimated £1.5 million. Priestley, who famously trounced Taylor 6-1 in the 1994 World Championship, is bullish on Littler’s financial future. “Getting to £10 million will be simple for Luke if he keeps his head down with the new £1 million prize money,” he said, referencing the PDC’s increased World Championship purse. However, he tempered expectations about Littler’s ability to match Taylor’s dominance, noting, “I reckon there has been three or four players better than Phil in the game, but what none of them could do is dominate like he did for so long. Luke Littler is among those names talent-wise, but dominating like Phil did? I don’t think it can happen.”
Littler himself has boldly set his sights on Taylor’s record of 16 world titles, a mark he believes is within reach if he maintains his hunger. “There’s a record there to be broken, but it’s going to take some doing,” he said on the Stick to Football podcast. “Phil Taylor was my idol. If I can be bothered to stay in darts for that time, I could maybe beat his record.” Admitting money is a key motivator, Littler added, “Probably just the money, to be fair,” a candid nod to the sport’s growing financial rewards. The PDC’s packed schedule—featuring Premier League nights, European tours, and Pro Tours—means Littler’s practice is the tournaments themselves. “I barely practice during the week,” he confessed. “My practice is playing in these tournaments every week.”
This season, Littler has been a force, clinching five major titles from seven finals, including the 2024 Premier League, where he topped the standings with four nightly wins and defeated Luke Humphries 11-7 in the final. His UK Open triumph and two World Series victories further showcase his versatility. Currently leading the 2025 Premier League by eight points ahead of the Berlin leg, Littler faces Gerwyn Price in the play-off semifinals at London’s O2 Arena, with Nathan Aspinall and Humphries battling in the other semi. “I just want to try and win as many titles as I can this year,” Littler said, aiming to surpass his 10-title haul from 2024. His former coach, Karl Holden, praised his mental fortitude, saying, “Luke loves the big stage, he’s got bottle in abundance.”
Despite his meteoric rise, Littler remains grounded, a trait lauded by Taylor himself. “He’s a typical teenager and he isn’t motivated by prize money,” Taylor noted, recalling their time together at Target Darts. “He’s more interested in looking after his mother and father in tournaments.” Taylor, who won his last world title at 52, warned Littler about the pressures of fame, likening it to “Man Utd syndrome” where rivals relish toppling the top dog. “Everybody loves to see you up there, and then they love seeing you get knocked off,” he said. To manage his finances, Taylor advised using two bank accounts to navigate the 45% tax rate that could cost Littler £500,000 annually.
As Littler prepares for the Premier League play-offs, the darts world watches a prodigy rewriting the sport’s narrative. PDC chief Matt Porter emphasized, “What Luke’s achieved has opened up doors for the sport that were closed to us before.” With his fearless play and magnetic appeal, Littler is not just chasing Taylor’s records but redefining darts for a new generation, with a £10 million fortune seemingly just the beginning.
# Luke Littler’s Meteoric Rise: Tipped to Surpass £10 Million in Earnings as He Challenges Phil Taylor’s Legacy
At just 18, Luke Littler has transformed darts from a pub pastime into a global spectacle, and his trajectory suggests he’s on course to amass a fortune exceeding £10 million, according to former world champion Dennis Priestley. The teenage sensation, dubbed “The Nuke,” has dominated the sport since turning professional in 2024, with a historic PDC World Championship victory over Michael van Gerwen in January 2025 cementing his status as a generational talent. Sitting second in the PDC Order of Merit with £1.3 million in ranking tournament earnings, Littler’s financial ascent is poised to outstrip even the legendary Phil Taylor, who earned an estimated £8.5 million over his storied career. Yet, Priestley cautions that while the money will come easily, emulating Taylor’s unparalleled dominance may prove elusive.
Littler’s breakthrough came at Alexandra Palace, where he became the youngest PDC world champion at 17, pocketing £500,000 for his 7-3 rout of Van Gerwen. His earnings don’t stop there—additional prize money from the Premier League, World Series Finals, and World Youth Championships, plus lucrative sponsorships, have pushed his net worth to an estimated £1.5 million. Priestley, who famously trounced Taylor 6-1 in the 1994 World Championship, is bullish on Littler’s financial future. “Getting to £10 million will be simple for Luke if he keeps his head down with the new £1 million prize money,” he said, referencing the PDC’s increased World Championship purse. However, he tempered expectations about Littler’s ability to match Taylor’s dominance, noting, “I reckon there has been three or four players better than Phil in the game, but what none of them could do is dominate like he did for so long. Luke Littler is among those names talent-wise, but dominating like Phil did? I don’t think it can happen.”
Littler himself has boldly set his sights on Taylor’s record of 16 world titles, a mark he believes is within reach if he maintains his hunger. “There’s a record there to be broken, but it’s going to take some doing,” he said on the Stick to Football podcast. “Phil Taylor was my idol. If I can be bothered to stay in darts for that time, I could maybe beat his record.” Admitting money is a key motivator, Littler added, “Probably just the money, to be fair,” a candid nod to the sport’s growing financial rewards. The PDC’s packed schedule—featuring Premier League nights, European tours, and Pro Tours—means Littler’s practice is the tournaments themselves. “I barely practice during the week,” he confessed. “My practice is playing in these tournaments every week.”
This season, Littler has been a force, clinching five major titles from seven finals, including the 2024 Premier League, where he topped the standings with four nightly wins and defeated Luke Humphries 11-7 in the final. His UK Open triumph and two World Series victories further showcase his versatility. Currently leading the 2025 Premier League by eight points ahead of the Berlin leg, Littler faces Gerwyn Price in the play-off semifinals at London’s O2 Arena, with Nathan Aspinall and Humphries battling in the other semi. “I just want to try and win as many titles as I can this year,” Littler said, aiming to surpass his 10-title haul from 2024. His former coach, Karl Holden, praised his mental fortitude, saying, “Luke loves the big stage, he’s got bottle in abundance.”
Despite his meteoric rise, Littler remains grounded, a trait lauded by Taylor himself. “He’s a typical teenager and he isn’t motivated by prize money,” Taylor noted, recalling their time together at Target Darts. “He’s more interested in looking after his mother and father in tournaments.” Taylor, who won his last world title at 52, warned Littler about the pressures of fame, likening it to “Man Utd syndrome” where rivals relish toppling the top dog. “Everybody loves to see you up there, and then they love seeing you get knocked off,” he said. To manage his finances, Taylor advised using two bank accounts to navigate the 45% tax rate that could cost Littler £500,000 annually.
As Littler prepares for the Premier League play-offs, the darts world watches a prodigy rewriting the sport’s narrative. PDC chief Matt Porter emphasized, “What Luke’s achieved has opened up doors for the sport that were closed to us before.” With his fearless play and magnetic appeal, Littler is not just chasing Taylor’s records but redefining darts for a new generation, with a £10 million fortune seemingly just the beginning.
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