In the electrifying atmosphere of Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, defeating Michael van Gerwen 6-4 to claim a record-breaking fifth nightly win in the 2025 Premier League Darts season. The world champion, nicknamed “The Nuke,” not only secured his place in the season-ending play-offs at London’s O2 Arena but also sent a bold message to his rivals with a cheeky celebration that had the crowd roaring. Littler’s victory on May 1, 2025, marked a historic moment, as he became the first player to achieve five nightly wins in a single Premier League season, surpassing the previous record shared by darts titans like Van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
The final was a rollercoaster of high-octane darts, with Littler averaging an impressive 102.5 to Van Gerwen’s 94.31. The match began with the seven-time Premier League champion asserting his dominance, breaking Littler’s throw in the opening leg and surging to a 3-1 lead with a clinical 76 checkout. “Van Gerwen is looking good so far,” commentators noted, as the Dutchman, known as “The Green Machine,” hit a 140 and a 134 to hold his throw comfortably. But Littler, unfazed by the early setback, found his rhythm, capitalizing on Van Gerwen’s missed darts to break back and level the score at 3-3 with a 120 “Shanghai” checkout that electrified the Birmingham crowd.
The turning point came in the seventh leg, where Littler’s heavy scoring, including a 12-darter sealed on double 13, gave him the lead for the first time. “What a leg of darts that is!” the announcer exclaimed, as Van Gerwen, despite starting with a 180 and 140, couldn’t keep pace with Littler’s relentless precision. The teenager’s confidence shone through as he nailed an 81 finish on double 13 to move ahead 4-3, only for Van Gerwen to respond with a 14-darter on double 8 to level at 4-4. The tension was palpable as both players traded blows, but Littler’s composure proved decisive. After missing a match dart, he seized the moment when Van Gerwen faltered on double 10, pinning double top to clinch the victory and etch his name in the history books.
Post-match, Littler’s exuberance was on full display as he playfully taunted Van Gerwen, gesturing to the crowd and celebrating with a swagger that underscored his growing dominance. “I’m very happy. The fifth nightly win was going to come at some point, but it’s been a few weeks since I actually won on a Thursday,” Littler said, his confidence radiating. Reflecting on his commanding lead in the Premier League standings, he added, “I’m nine points clear, so I’m very confident I’ll stay at number one.” His performance wasn’t just a win—it was a statement of intent, as he noted the tight race for the remaining play-off spots: “It’s getting a bit nitty, gritty at four and five between Nathan [Aspinall] and Michael [van Gerwen], so I’ve done Nathan a favour by winning this one.”
Littler’s path to the final was no cakewalk. In the quarter-finals, he edged out Stephen Bunting 6-5 in a thrilling last-leg decider, overcoming an early 3-1 deficit and surviving a missed bullseye for a 170 checkout. “Once I got over the finish line against Stephen, I was confident,” Littler admitted. He then faced Nathan Aspinall in the semifinals, surviving a match dart to win another decider with a 46 checkout on double 10. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, reached the final with a 6-4 victory over Rob Cross and a 6-3 win over Gerwyn Price, showcasing his trademark resilience despite not securing a nightly win this season.
The victory further cements Littler’s meteoric rise. The Warrington native, who turned 18 in January 2025, has already claimed the World Darts Championship, Premier League, World Series, and Grand Slam titles in 2024, alongside four nine-darters. His 76 maximum 180s at the World Championship earned him the Ballon d’Art, presented by Sir Chris Hoy, and his performances have sparked a surge in darts’ popularity among younger audiences. “I just want to get to the O2 as quick as possible,” Littler said, eyeing the play-offs, where he aims to defend his 2024 Premier League title, won with a nine-darter against Humphries.
As the Premier League heads to Leeds for Night 14, Littler’s nine-point lead over Humphries and his record-breaking campaign have set the stage for a thrilling climax. Van Gerwen, now clinging to the final play-off spot with Nathan Aspinall hot on his heels, faces an uphill battle to qualify for the O2. Littler’s cheeky celebration and clinical performance in Birmingham have not only rubbed salt in Van Gerwen’s wounds but also signaled that “The Nuke” is ready to dominate darts for years to come.
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