In the electrifying world of darts, where precision meets passion, 18-year-old Luke Littler has once again proven why he’s the sport’s brightest prodigy. Fresh off a jaw-dropping performance in Cardiff, where he unleashed a flawless nine-darter en route to a Premier League Night Seven victory, the reigning world champion is taking an unconventional approach to his meteoric rise. As the darting caravan prepares to roll into Newcastle for Night Eight on March 27, 2025, Littler has made a bold declaration: he won’t touch a dart until he steps onto the oche at the Utilita Arena. It’s a statement that’s left fans and pundits alike marveling at the teenager’s confidence—and his uncanny ability to thrive without practice.
The Cardiff showdown was nothing short of spectacular. Facing off against the legendary Michael van Gerwen in the final, Littler turned the Welsh capital into his personal playground. With the crowd already buzzing, he stepped up in the fourth leg and delivered perfection: two maximum 180s followed by a treble 20, treble 17, and double 15 to check out 141. The arena erupted as the referee confirmed the nine-darter, and Littler, with a grin that belied his years, leapt in celebration. He didn’t stop there, sealing a 6-4 win with a staggering match average of 112.50 and 10 180s. It was his third nightly triumph of the 2025 Premier League season, cementing his six-point lead at the top of the table and sending a message to his rivals: “The Nuke” is unstoppable.
What makes this feat even more mind-boggling is Littler’s revelation post-match. “I have not picked my darts up since last Thursday—I had a week off to chill,” he admitted, his tone casual yet brimming with self-assurance. That Thursday marked his last outing, a Night Six final loss to Gerwyn Price in Nottingham. Rather than hitting the practice board to shake off the defeat, Littler opted for rest, stepping away from the game entirely. “All players have to have a rest,” he explained, “and after the performance tonight, I will have another week off!” To come back from a week-long hiatus and produce averages of 102, 108, and 112 across three matches—culminating in a nine-dart masterpiece—is the stuff of darting folklore.
Littler’s journey to Cardiff’s pinnacle was a showcase of his dominance. In the quarter-finals, he dispatched Nathan Aspinall 6-3 with a 102 average, barely breaking a sweat. The semi-finals saw him dismantle Rob Cross 6-2, posting a 107.67 average and finishing with a flourish on a 120 checkout. By the time he faced van Gerwen, a three-time world champion showing signs of resurgence, Littler was in full flight. The Dutchman fought valiantly, leveling the score at 4-4 after Littler’s nine-darter gave him a 3-1 edge. But the teenager’s composure shone through, breaking van Gerwen’s throw and closing out the match with ruthless precision. “I just want to get to the O2 as quick as possible,” Littler said, eyeing the Premier League play-offs in May. “I have put myself in a really good position.”
Born in Runcorn and raised in Warrington, Littler’s ascent has been nothing short of astronomical. At 17, he became the youngest PDC world champion in January 2025, toppling van Gerwen in a thrilling final. Now, at 18, he’s rewriting the record books in the Premier League, where he’s already notched three wins in seven nights. His Cardiff heroics earned him a set of 18-carat gold darts worth £30,000, the third nine-darter of the season following Luke Humphries and Cross’s feats in Brighton. Yet, for all his accolades, Littler remains grounded, a teenager who balances global stardom with a love for Xbox and a kebab now and then.
As Newcastle looms, the darting world wonders: can he do it again? Littler’s next test comes against Stephen Bunting, a St. Helens native yet to win a night this season. With the Premier League hitting its halfway mark, Littler’s six-point cushion over Humphries—who crashed out in Cardiff’s quarter-finals—puts him in pole position for the play-offs. “It’s scary to hear that Littler still has more levels to reach,” one observer noted, captivated by his relaxed demeanor and playful exchanges with the crowd. For van Gerwen, the final offered hope despite the loss; his 101.41 average signaled a return to form after a rocky start to 2025. But on this night, and perhaps for years to come, the spotlight belongs to Littler—a darting dynamo who defies convention, one perfect leg at a time.
Leave a Reply