In a night filled with drama and unparalleled skill, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler delivered a breathtaking performance at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, securing his place in the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay final with a stunning 17-14 victory over Josh Rock. The highlight of the semi-final was Littler’s sensational nine-darter, a moment of pure perfection that ignited his comeback from a 6-1 deficit and left the darts world buzzing with excitement. Now, the young prodigy faces a formidable challenge in the final against 2007 champion James Wade, who battled through an epic 20-18 semi-final win over Jonny Clayton to earn his seventh World Matchplay final appearance.
The semi-final clash between Littler and Rock was nothing short of electrifying. Rock, the 24-year-old Northern Irish star, stormed out of the gates, capitalizing on Littler’s slow start to claim a commanding 5-0 lead in the opening session. With a blistering 102.56 average, Rock seemed poised to pull off a major upset. However, Littler, the reigning world champion, showcased his resilience and flair in the eighth leg. Both players traded back-to-back 180s, raising the roof at the Empress Ballroom, but it was Littler who seized the moment. With Rock poised for a nine-darter of his own, Littler coolly nailed a 141 finish on double 15, completing the 10th nine-darter in World Matchplay history and the first of the 2025 tournament. “It definitely sparked me into life,” Littler admitted. “I didn’t want to give it big because I was playing awful.”
The nine-darter marked a turning point. Despite trailing 7-3 at the second interval, Littler found his rhythm, unleashing a relentless barrage of high-scoring legs. He won eight of the next 10 legs, including a five-leg streak that flipped the match in his favor, giving him an 11-9 lead. Rock fought back valiantly, landing a spectacular 170 checkout followed by a 120 finish to narrow the gap to 14-12. However, Littler’s composure under pressure shone through. With a match-high 15 180s and a 107.5 average, he closed out the victory with an 11-dart break, securing his spot in his first World Matchplay final. “It was an incredible game,” Littler reflected. “I wasn’t happy at 5-0 down, it was a slow start, but I picked myself up. I just said to myself, ‘You can do it, you’ve been here before’—and I’ve done it again.”
The semi-final set a new record for the most 180s in a World Matchplay match, with Littler and Rock combining for an astonishing 29 maximums. The crowd, initially subdued, erupted as the two young stars traded blow after blow, delivering what many consider one of the greatest legs in darts history. Littler’s understated reaction to his nine-darter—a mere shrug and a murmured “not bad”—belied the magnitude of the moment, which commentators hailed as “the second-best leg you will ever see in your life.”
Meanwhile, in the evening’s other semi-final, James Wade endured a grueling 38-leg battle against Jonny Clayton, the longest semi-final in World Matchplay history. Wade, known as ‘The Machine,’ surged to a 16-10 lead with a stunning 161 checkout, only for Clayton to stage a remarkable comeback, reeling off six consecutive legs to level the score at 16-16. The match went to a tie-break, with Wade holding his nerve to secure a 20-18 victory on double nine. Exhausted but elated, Wade admitted, “I’m flabbergasted. I hope the crowd enjoyed it and everyone at home themselves—because I hated every single minute of it.” His performance, marked by a 101.79 average and a 55.6% checkout success rate, underscored his enduring class and determination.
Sunday’s final promises to be a blockbuster. Littler, the world No. 2, is chasing the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy and a chance to become only the fifth player to complete darts’ Triple Crown, following his Premier League win in May 2024 and World Championship triumph in January 2025. At just 18, he could also break Wade’s record as the youngest World Matchplay champion. However, Wade, a seasoned veteran at 42, is no stranger to the big stage. Despite a humbling 11-2 loss to Littler in the UK Open final in March, Wade is hungry for redemption and a second World Matchplay title, 18 years after his first. “It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a trophy,” Littler said, “but I won’t be putting too much pressure on myself. It’s going to be another tough test.”
The matchup is a fascinating clash of generations. Littler’s explosive scoring and fearless mentality will face off against Wade’s methodical precision and experience. With Littler favored at 1/6 odds and Wade a 4/1 outsider, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. The final, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, promising fans a spectacle worthy of the tournament’s storied legacy.
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