At just 18 years old, Luke Littler, the darts prodigy known as “The Nuke,” is already setting his sights on etching his name into the sport’s history books. Fresh off his historic triumph as the youngest-ever PDC World Darts Championship winner in January 2025, Littler is now targeting another monumental achievement: becoming a back-to-back Premier League Darts champion. The teenager from Warrington, who captured the 2024 Premier League title in his debut season, has declared that defending his crown in 2025 “would mean everything,” a testament to his unrelenting ambition and hunger for success. As he prepares to face off against darts titan Michael van Gerwen in Belfast to kick off the new Premier League season, Littler’s journey is one of resilience, confidence, and a flair for the dramatic.
Littler’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. In 2024, he stormed the darts world, clinching 10 titles, including the Premier League and his first major at the Grand Slam of Darts. His unforgettable performance in the 2024 Premier League final at London’s O2 Arena, where he hit a nine-darter and defeated Luke Humphries 11-7, cemented his status as a generational talent. “It’s so good to win in front of my family, my girlfriend, and my manager. I don’t know what to do,” Littler said moments after that victory, his voice brimming with emotion as 14,000 fans roared in approval. That win, he later reflected, gave him the confidence to push forward and claim the World Championship, silencing doubters who questioned whether the then-17-year-old was ready for the Premier League’s grueling elite invitational format. “I was going into my first Premier League as a wildcard, I would say,” Littler noted. “People were saying I wasn’t ready for it, but I just grabbed the opportunity while I could.”
Now, as the 2025 Premier League season begins, Littler is no longer the underdog. His dominant 2024 campaign, which saw him win six nightly events and finish the league phase with a record-breaking 45 points, has made him the player to beat. His performance in Newcastle on night eight of the 2025 season, where he crushed Stephen Bunting 6-0 in just 10 minutes and went on to defeat Rob Cross and Humphries, showcased his relentless form. “Performances, I think that does go to show how everyone says I am the best in the world at the minute,” Littler said after that victory, though he quickly added with characteristic humility, “But you know me, I’ll never really say I am the best in the world.” His ability to combine heavy scoring—frequently hitting 180s—and pinpoint accuracy on double 10 has left opponents scrambling, with his third televised nine-darter against van Gerwen earlier in 2025 further solidifying his reputation.
Littler’s confidence stems not only from his skill but also from the lessons learned during his rapid ascent. Winning the Premier League in 2024 was a turning point, as he explained: “Now I’ve won it, it gave me a lot of confidence going into the world tours, the Euro series, and now I’m world champion.” His rivalry with Humphries, a close friend off the oche, has become a defining feature of modern darts. Humphries, who lost to Littler in the 2024 Premier League final, praised his young rival’s prowess: “I think me and Luke are the two greatest players in the world at the moment, and this was another great battle.” The mutual respect between the two is evident, with Littler expressing excitement about teaming up with Humphries for the 2025 World Cup of Darts, even as he aims to overtake him for the world No. 1 ranking. “Obviously if I can add some more money to the rankings, we all know how much Humphries is defending,” Littler quipped, eyeing the top spot by year’s end.
Beyond the dartboard, Littler’s larger-than-life personality and love for sports add depth to his story. A passionate Manchester United fan, he has been welcomed at Old Trafford and even called for the return of former goalkeeper David De Gea in a now-deleted Instagram post during a Europa League match. His ties to his hometown of Warrington run deep, with ambitions to invest in the local National League North football club, Warrington Town. “I’ve got a local team, Warrington Town, who are in National League North,” he shared, hinting at a future where his darts fortune could fuel community projects. His connection to Warrington was further celebrated when the Warrington Wolves rugby league team renamed their stadium the Luke Littler Stadium for their Super League opener in February 2025, where he served as guest of honor.
As Littler steps onto the oche in Belfast to face van Gerwen, a three-time Premier League champion, he carries the weight of expectation but also the freedom of youth. “Ever since last year, I know these players are going to have to pull it out of the bag to beat me,” he said, exuding the confidence of a champion. With the Premier League’s 16-night tour spanning the UK, Ireland, and Europe before culminating in the May 29 play-offs at the O2, Littler’s goal is clear: secure a top-four finish and defend his title. His journey is about more than just trophies—it’s about proving that his 2024 success was no fluke and that “The Nuke” is ready to dominate darts for years to come.
# Luke Littler’s Quest for Back-to-Back Premier League Glory
## A Rising Star’s Ambition
At just 18, Luke Littler, known as “The Nuke,” is chasing history by aiming to become a back-to-back Premier League Darts champion in 2025. Fresh off his record-breaking World Darts Championship win in January 2025, where he became the youngest-ever PDC world champion at 17, Littler has declared that defending his Premier League title “would mean everything.” As he prepares to face Michael van Gerwen in Belfast to open the 2025 season, his journey is one of talent, tenacity, and a flair for the spotlight.
## A Breakthrough 2024
Littler’s 2024 season was a revelation. He claimed 10 titles, including the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts, his first major. His 11-7 victory over Luke Humphries in the 2024 Premier League final, highlighted by a nine-darter, electrified the O2 Arena. “It’s so good to win in front of my family, my girlfriend, and my manager. I don’t know what to do,” Littler said, overwhelmed by the moment. That win silenced critics who doubted his readiness for the elite competition. “I was going into my first Premier League as a wildcard, I would say,” he noted. “People were saying I wasn’t ready for it, but I just grabbed the opportunity while I could.”
## Dominating the 2025 Season
In 2025, Littler has continued to dominate. His performance on night eight in Newcastle saw him crush Stephen Bunting 6-0 in 10 minutes, defeat Rob Cross, and overpower Humphries 6-1, extending his lead at the top of the Premier League table. “Performances, I think that does go to show how everyone says I am the best in the world at the minute,” he said, though he added humbly, “I’ll never really say I am the best in the world.” His third televised nine-darter against van Gerwen earlier in 2025 underscored his scoring prowess and precision.
## A Rivalry for the Ages
Littler’s rivalry with Humphries, the world No. 1, has captivated fans. Humphries, who lost to Littler in the 2024 final, praised him: “I think me and Luke are the two greatest players in the world at the moment, and this was another great battle.” Despite their competition, the two share a bond, with Littler looking forward to partnering with Humphries in the 2025 World Cup of Darts. “Obviously if I can add some more money to the rankings, we all know how much Humphries is defending,” Littler said, eyeing the top ranking.
## Beyond the Oche
Littler’s passion extends beyond darts. A Manchester United fan, he has visited Old Trafford and expressed interest in investing in Warrington Town, a local National League North football club. “I’ve got a local team, Warrington Town, who are in National League North,” he shared. His hometown honored him by renaming the Warrington Wolves rugby league stadium the Luke Littler Stadium for their Super League opener in February 2025.
## The Road Ahead
As Littler faces van Gerwen in Belfast, he carries the confidence of a champion. “Ever since last year, I know these players are going to have to pull it out of the bag to beat me,” he said. With 16 nights of Premier League action leading to the May 29 play-offs, Littler’s goal is to secure a top-four spot and defend his title, proving that “The Nuke” is here to stay.
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