Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation known as ‘The Nuke,’ has opted to bypass the 2025 PDC World Youth Championship for the second consecutive year, a decision that underscores his focus on major televised tournaments as he cements his status as a global darts superstar. The reigning PDC world champion, who claimed his first world title in January 2025 by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3, confirmed his absence from the youth event with a cheeky five-word quip after his New Zealand Darts Masters semifinal loss to Luke Humphries: “You know I’m skipping them.” The announcement, made as Littler prepares for the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14, has sparked buzz among fans, with many seeing it as a bold move by a player prioritizing high-stakes competitions over youth-level glory.
Littler’s meteoric rise since his 2024 PDC World Championship final appearance at age 16 has transformed darts, dubbed “Littlermania” by PDC president Barry Hearn. His decision to skip the World Youth Championship, scheduled for November 2025 in Minehead, reflects a packed schedule that includes defending his Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts, and World Series titles. “Everyone wants to win the majors before the Worlds,” Littler said, outlining his ambitions for the autumn. “I want to go back-to-back in the Grand Slam and do well at the Grand Prix.” His focus on these prestigious events, including the BoyleSports World Grand Prix in Leicester from October 6-12, comes after a stellar 2025 season, where he completed the sport’s Triple Crown—World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay—before turning 19.[](https://dartsnews.com/pdc/you-dont-get-many-days-off-luke-littler-reveals-tough-reality-behind-darts-domination)
The Warrington native’s journey began at 18 months, throwing darts at a magnetic board, and by age 10, he was dominating under-21 tournaments at St. Helens Darts Academy. “He was just unbelievable,” academy co-founder Karl Holden recalled, noting Littler’s rule-breaking talent that forced them to lower age limits for stage play. His youth career boasts five PDC Development Tour titles, two JDC World Darts Championships, and a 2022 WDF World Championship last-16 run at age 14, where he became the youngest to win a senior world championship match. In 2025, Littler’s dominance continued with a record-setting 140.91 set average against Ryan Meikle at the World Championship and six televised nine-darters, including one in the Premier League final.
Littler’s absence from the youth championship follows his withdrawal from other lower-tier events, like the Players Championship after his 7-6 New Zealand Darts Masters loss to Humphries. “I don’t really learn from defeat, I just pick myself back up and go again,” he said, shrugging off the setback. His Australian Darts Masters win days earlier, where he defeated Mike De Decker 8-4 with a 102 average, showcased his resilience, overcoming a near-upset by Haupai Puha with a 13-dart finish. “It’s not always the prettiest, but I’m happy to get over the line,” he told reporters, citing jet lag and minimal practice. His fourth World Series title, following victories in Bahrain, Poland, and the Netherlands in 2024, secured him the No. 1 seed for Amsterdam.
The decision to skip the youth event aligns with Littler’s grueling schedule, which he admitted is a challenge. “You don’t get many days off,” he said, highlighting the toll of European Tour weekends and Premier League nights. His 2024 earnings exceeded £1 million, including £150,000 from the Grand Slam, where he crushed Martin Lukeman 16-3, prompting Lukeman to call him “Godly” and “relentless.” The surge in darts’ popularity, with 3.7 million viewers for the 2024 World Championship final and doubled junior academy memberships, is credited to the “Luke Littler effect.”
As Littler prepares for Amsterdam, where he’ll face top seeds like Humphries and Gerwyn Price, his youth championship absence has drawn mixed reactions. Some fans on X expressed disappointment, with one noting, “Littler missing the PDC World Youth Championship again is a shame for the young players hoping to test themselves against him.” Others see it as strategic, prioritizing recovery and major titles. With sponsorships from Xbox, KP Nuts, and Target Darts, and a £4.57 million championship sponsorship pool, Littler’s star power continues to elevate the sport. His next test at the World Series Finals could set the tone for a historic autumn, with the Grand Slam and World Championship on the horizon, where he aims to defend his crown and further redefine darts.
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