In the electric atmosphere of Cardiff’s Utilita Arena, the darts world witnessed yet another chapter in the meteoric rise of Luke Littler. On the evening of Thursday, March 20, 2025, the 18-year-old prodigy delivered a performance that left the crowd roaring and his opponents in awe. With a flick of his wrist and a steely focus, Littler unleashed a nine-darter—a perfect leg of darts—in the fourth leg of the Premier League Night Seven final against the legendary Michael van Gerwen. The victory, a 6-4 triumph sealed with a staggering 112.5 average and 10 maximum 180s, wasn’t just a win; it was a statement from a teenager who seems destined to redefine the sport. What makes this feat even more jaw-dropping? Littler hadn’t touched his darts for a week prior, a revelation that’s sent shockwaves through the darts community and earned his talent the label of “scary.”
The night began with Littler facing a raucous Welsh crowd, some of whom greeted him with boos as he took on Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals. Undeterred, he dispatched Aspinall 6-3, averaging over 102 and landing six 180s, his precision cutting through the noise like a hot knife through butter. Next came Rob Cross in the semi-finals, a seasoned player who’d already notched a nine-darter earlier in the season. Littler turned the match into a masterclass, cruising to a 6-2 win with a near-108 average, punctuated by a stunning 120 ‘Shanghai’ checkout that had the crowd on its feet. By the time he reached the final, the boos had turned to cheers, a testament to his ability to win over even the toughest audiences. “We get booed as players,” he’d later say with a grin, “but once you hit a 180 or a nice finish… I think they’re on my side now.”
Facing van Gerwen, a seven-time Premier League champion, Littler knew he was up against a titan. The Dutchman had clawed his way to his first final of 2025, toppling world No. 1 Luke Humphries and Chris Dobey with a blend of resilience and flair. The final was a rollercoaster, a chaotic exchange of seven breaks of throw that kept fans on edge. Then came the moment of magic: two consecutive 180s, followed by treble 20, treble 17, and a nervy double 15. Littler hesitated, unsure if the final dart had landed true, until referee Huw Ware’s call confirmed it. “I had no idea,” he admitted, his face lighting up as he recalled the suspense. “I just had to wait for Huw to call it—‘Is it? Is it? Yeah!’” The Cardiff faithful erupted, and even van Gerwen cracked a smile, unable to resist the brilliance he’d just witnessed.
What’s perhaps most astonishing is Littler’s preparation—or lack thereof. “I’ve not picked my darts up since last Thursday,” he revealed post-match, a confession that left pundits gobsmacked. After a week off to “chill,” he’d stepped onto the stage and delivered perfection, wrapping up his third nightly win of the 2025 Premier League season. Victories in Glasgow and Brighton had already marked him as a force, but this Cardiff heroics stretched his lead at the top of the table to six points. “I’m comfortable,” he said, his tone casual yet confident. “All players have to have a rest… after tonight, I’ll have another week off!” For someone who averaged 112.5 and hit 43% of his doubles against a resurgent van Gerwen—who posted a 101.41 average himself—such nonchalance is almost surreal.
The darts world is buzzing about what this means for Littler’s future. At just 18, the reigning world champion is rewriting the rulebook, blending raw talent with an almost eerie composure. “It’s scary to hear that Littler still has more levels to reach,” one commentator mused, noting how relaxed he looked, even laughing with the crowd mid-match. “He’s going to take some stopping, not just in the Premier League but in all tournaments.” With nine weeks left and a burning desire to secure the No. 1 spot—“Last year I didn’t want it; this year I want to stay there”—Littler’s sights are set on the O2 Arena play-offs in May. For van Gerwen, the loss was bittersweet; he’d fought valiantly, nearly timing his comeback perfectly, but Littler’s brilliance proved too much.
As the Premier League roadshow rolls on to Newcastle next Thursday, where Littler will face Stephen Bunting, the question lingers: how high can this “scary” 18-year-old climb? In Cardiff, he didn’t just throw darts; he threw down a gauntlet, proving that even a week off can’t dull his edge. The crowd, the gold darts worth £30,000 he’ll receive from sponsors, and the growing legend of “The Nuke”—it all points to a career that’s only just beginning to ignite.
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