The darts sensation Luke Littler, fresh from another dominant display on the oche, has set his sights beyond the dartboard for an upcoming highlight in the sporting calendar. The 19-year-old world number one, already a two-time PDC World Champion and the youngest ever to hold that title, is eagerly anticipating the Laureus World Sports Awards—widely regarded as the “Oscars of Sport”—where he hopes to cross paths with tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz.
Littler made history as the first-ever darts player to earn a nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in 2026. This recognition celebrates his extraordinary 2025 campaign, which saw him burst onto the global stage in unprecedented fashion. At just 18, he claimed the PDC World Darts Championship by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final, firing an astonishing 76 maximum 180s along the way. He rapidly completed the coveted Triple Crown—winning the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay—faster than any player in history, including an 18-3 demolition of James Wade at the World Matchplay. Littler added multiple televised ranking titles, retained the Grand Slam of Darts, triumphed at the Players Championship Finals, and became the youngest world number one in PDC history, surpassing Michael van Gerwen’s record. Earlier this year, he defended his world title, cementing his status as a generational talent. His contributions to the sport even earned him an MBE in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
The Laureus ceremony, set for April 20 at the stunning Cibeles Palace in Madrid, brings together the globe’s elite athletes across disciplines. Littler will compete against a formidable shortlist for Breakthrough of the Year, including Formula One world champion Lando Norris (whom Littler counts as a sporting hero), Paris Saint-Germain winger Désiré Doué, basketball standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rising tennis prospect Joao Fonseca, and remarkably, 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi. Previous winners of the award include tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Carlos Alcaraz himself (in 2023), alongside golf’s Rory McIlroy and others like Lewis Hamilton and recent football prodigies Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal.
What excites Littler most, however, is the chance to meet Alcaraz, currently nominated for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year following a stellar run that included Grand Slam victories at the French Open, US Open, and most recently the Australian Open in January. As a self-described “big tennis fan,” Littler has openly shared his admiration for the Spanish phenom, whose explosive style and achievements mirror the kind of rapid ascent Littler himself has experienced in darts.
Speaking after retaining his UK Open title in Minehead—where he edged out veteran James Wade in the final—Littler revealed his hopes for the Madrid event. “The nominations came out and I didn’t really look at too many of them… But Carlos Alcaraz has been nominated and hopefully I can meet him,” he said. He added with characteristic humor and enthusiasm, “I’m a big tennis fan and I think at the Newcastle media day that morning or the day before he won me some money against (Novak) Djokovic.” Littler also credited Alcaraz’s Australian Open success for putting extra cash in his pocket, joking that the tennis star “won me some money” yet again.
On social media following the nomination announcement, Littler expressed his gratitude and excitement: “Thank you @laureussport being the first darts player to be nominated for the Laureus world breakthrough of the year award is a huge honour.” He playfully reflected on his own trajectory, noting, “I’m in for the breakthrough of the year – and I think I’ve broken through twice now! It’s obviously massive. It’s an absolutely amazing feeling. I’ve not checked the nominees but I’m sure there’s going to be loads of sport stars out there.”
The prospect of rubbing shoulders with icons like Alcaraz at such a glamorous gathering underscores how far Littler has come in a remarkably short time. From teenage prodigy to global sporting figure, his journey continues to captivate fans across sports. With Premier League darts resuming soon—in Nottingham no less—Littler remains focused on the oche, but the Madrid awards offer a rare crossover moment where darts meets the wider world of elite competition. Whether he claims the Breakthrough trophy or simply shares a conversation with Alcaraz, this nomination already marks another milestone in an extraordinary career that’s only just beginning.
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