In the electric atmosphere of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler etched his name into history on July 27, 2025, by clinching the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay title with an 18-13 victory over James Wade. The win, which earned him £200,000 and the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy, marked Littler’s first World Matchplay crown and completed his Triple Crown—joining the elite ranks of Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries. As the youngest ever champion of the tournament at just 17 years and 187 days, Littler’s triumph was a testament to his extraordinary talent and resilience. Amid the roaring crowd, he shared a poignant moment on stage with his girlfriend, Faith Millar, to whom he dedicated his victory, saying, “I am just so happy, I think they had been a bit nervous this past week and I have definitely put them through it in training and in games.”
Littler’s path to the final was anything but straightforward. Facing 2007 champion James Wade, a seasoned veteran, Littler found himself trailing 5-0 after a blistering start from his opponent, who landed clinical finishes including an 83 checkout. But Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” showcased the heart of a champion, rallying with a stunning sweep of five consecutive legs to level the score at 5-5. “There’s been a few times in the past where I’ve got myself back into the game, but this past week has really shown me as a player that I can come back from 5-0 down or from 7-3 down,” Littler reflected post-match. His performance was electrifying, posting a 107.24 average and a record-breaking 17 maximums, surpassing the tournament’s previous high of 56 180s set by Adrian Lewis. A near-miss nine-darter in the 22nd leg, after seven perfect darts, had the crowd on its feet, underscoring his flair for the dramatic.
The tournament was a showcase of Littler’s resilience. In the first round, he dominated Ryan Searle 10-2 with a near-109 average, declaring, “I was well up for it tonight, I just wanted to get that win, get that winning feeling.” A grueling second-round tie-break against Jermaine Wattimena saw him claw back from 7-3 down to win 13-11, admitting, “I’ve not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championships.” In the quarter-finals, he outlasted Andrew Gilding 16-14, setting a new World Matchplay record with 18 maximums. The semi-final against close friend Josh Rock was a spectacle, with Littler hitting a nine-darter—the 10th in the tournament’s history—and overcoming a 5-0 deficit to win 17-14, breaking the record for most combined 180s in a match with 29.
As Littler lifted the Phil Taylor Trophy, 19-year-old beautician Faith Millar joined him on stage, their bond evident in a heartwarming moment captured for the ages. The couple, who first sparked romance rumors in May 2025, shared a kiss before Littler’s quarter-final match, dispelling earlier claims they were “just friends.” Faith’s presence throughout the tournament, from New York’s US Darts Masters to Blackpool, has been a constant source of support. Littler’s mother, Lisa, jokingly told Sky Sports she nearly had a “heart attack” during his tense match against Wattimena, to which Littler responded, “This week, yeah, probably against Jermaine Wattimena. But once again I have pulled myself out of these scorelines I am trailing by and getting myself back in the game, finding the 180s.”
Littler’s meteoric rise, from his 2025 PDC World Championship win at 17 to this latest triumph, has redefined darts. His 64 tournament 180s and four televised nine-darters cement his status as a generational talent. “Since I started, I always said to myself, as long as I win one of every major then I’ll be happy,” Littler said, already eyeing the remaining majors to conquer. Off-stage, his playful side shone through, from a viral darts challenge on The Jonathan Ross Show to parading his World Championship trophy at Old Trafford. As he prepares for the World Grand Prix and beyond, Littler’s blend of skill, showmanship, and heartfelt connections—like his moment with Faith—ensures his legacy is only just beginning.
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