At just 18 years old, Luke Littler has cemented his place among darts’ elite, clinching the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay title with an 18-13 victory over veteran James Wade at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on July 27, 2025. This monumental win marked Littler’s completion of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Triple Crown—comprising the World Matchplay, World Championship, and Premier League—making him only the fifth player in history to achieve this feat. The young prodigy, dubbed “The Nuke,” attributed his success to relentless practice, a mindset that has propelled him from pub leagues to global stardom. “The Matchplay win was just so good. I practised quite a lot leading up to it, the most I had done in some time – and it certainly paid off as I completed the Triple Crown,” Littler said, his voice brimming with pride as he hoisted the Phil Taylor trophy.
Littler’s journey to this historic moment began in the unlikeliest of places: the local pub leagues of Warrington, England, where he honed his skills as a teenager. His meteoric rise was sparked by a runner-up finish at the 2024 World Championship, a performance that put the darts world on notice. “Ever since my first World Championships, where I was runner-up and started on the (PDC) Tour, I think everyone just wanted to beat me,” he reflected. “It is still the same now because these players want to be the best and have always wanted to beat me, but most of the time I do come out victorious.” His World Matchplay triumph, where he shattered Adrian Lewis’ record with 64 maximums, was a testament to his ability to thrive under pressure, averaging just shy of 109 in his first-round 10-2 rout of Ryan Searle.
The Blackpool victory wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a cultural moment for darts. Littler’s electrifying performances have drawn a younger, broader audience to the sport, revitalizing its appeal. “For what I have done, it has definitely spurred a lot of people on to get into their darts,” he said. “But for myself, I have got to keep winning, keep picking up trophies and get even more people involved.” His partnership with KP Snacks’ ‘Nuts for Darts’ campaign, which offers one lucky pub a chance to host him starting August 11, underscores his commitment to grassroots darts. Littler’s roots in pub leagues fuel his desire to inspire the next generation, even as he dominates the professional stage.
Despite his youth, Littler is no stranger to the weight of expectations. His 2025 Premier League title defense ended in a loss to world No. 1 Luke Humphries, a reminder of the sport’s fierce competition. “If you come into a tournament and you are the champion, I think people can expect you to try and defend it, because you have been there before and you have won it before, but that is not always the case,” Littler noted. “Even this year with the Premier League, it was not easy trying to defend it – and on the night Luke Humphries played his best darts and won it.” Yet, Littler’s resilience shone through in Blackpool, where he described the win as a “test” that taught him “it’s not always going to go my way.” His record-breaking 64 maximums and a stunning comeback against Jermaine Wattimena, where he declared, “I’m world champion for a reason,” showcased his mental fortitude.
Looking ahead, Littler’s ambitions are sky-high. He’s eyeing the Australia and New Zealand Darts Masters in August, followed by the Grand Slam of Darts in November, where he hopes to defend his title. “I didn’t expect it to go my way, but it is just all down to me practising and playing really good darts,” he said of his Matchplay success. With an eye on surpassing Phil Taylor’s records, Littler quipped, “Once I win one of everything I won’t pack it in just yet. In the next 16 years, I might come back every year and just win it.” As he prepares for the PDC’s end-of-year run-in, including the UK Open and World Series of Darts Finals, Littler’s blend of raw talent, relentless practice, and infectious charisma ensures he’ll remain a force in darts—and a beacon for its future.
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