In a thrilling display of darts prowess, 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler, known to fans as ‘The Nuke,’ saw his extraordinary 222-game streak come to an end at the 2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland. Despite the setback, the young darts prodigy remains a formidable contender, fresh off his victory at the Australian Darts Masters and determined to claim another World Series of Darts title. The Spark Arena was buzzing with anticipation as Littler took to the oche, showcasing his talent and resilience in a tournament filled with high-stakes drama.
Littler’s journey in Auckland began with a challenging first-round match against New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver on Friday, August 15. The draw, finalized the previous day, pitted the world champion against a local favorite, setting the stage for a gripping encounter. Littler, riding high from his 8-4 triumph over Mike De Decker in Wollongong the previous week, was considered the favorite, with odds boosted to 11/8 for the title. However, Cleaver proved a worthy adversary, pushing Littler to the brink in a match that tested his composure. “I’m not sure what he meant, but I’ve just won — like I said, the darts did the talking,” Littler remarked, reflecting on his ability to silence doubters with his performance, a sentiment echoed from his Australian success where he faced crowd taunts.
The match against Cleaver was a rollercoaster. Littler started shakily, struggling to find his rhythm as Cleaver capitalized, leveling the score at 4-4 with two 15-dart finishes. The crowd, fully behind their hometown hero, roared as Cleaver missed a chance to level the match, allowing Littler to regain control. Demonstrating the maturity that has defined his meteoric rise, the teenager stayed composed, tightening his game to secure a 6-4 victory with two 13-dart legs. While the win marked the end of his 222-game streak—where he maintained an unbroken run of competitive brilliance—it also highlighted his ability to adapt under pressure. “I think for myself, the first time I hear it, I’ll react,” Littler admitted, referring to handling crowd distractions. “But then I’ll let it go by and just let my darts do the talking.”
Littler’s path forward in the tournament is far from easy. Advancing to the quarter-finals, he faces a familiar opponent in Mike De Decker, who impressed in Australia by reaching the final and defeating world number one Luke Humphries 6-0. De Decker’s 6-1 rout of Gordon Mathers in the first round signals his intent to challenge Littler again. Should Littler progress, potential semi-final matchups against Gerwyn Price or Josh Rock loom large, both of whom are on his side of the draw. Price, the 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters champion, and Rock, a rising star making his World Series debut, add further intrigue to the competition.
The New Zealand Darts Masters, the seventh event in the 2025 World Series of Darts, features a star-studded field of eight PDC professionals and eight Oceanic representatives. Top seed Stephen Bunting, leading the World Series rankings, faces Ben Robb, while defending champion Luke Humphries takes on New Zealand’s number one, Haupai Puha, who nearly upset Littler in Australia. Humphries, still recovering from an illness that hampered him in Wollongong, expressed confidence: “I feel much better now. New Zealand holds great memories for me. To win my first World Series title here was really special, and I want to go and do that again.” The tournament’s format, with best-of-11 legs in the first round and quarter-finals, escalates to best-of-13 in the semi-finals, promising intense battles as players vie for the title.
Littler’s meteoric rise has captivated the darts world. At just 18, he has already clinched the 2024-25 World Darts Championship, the 2024 World Matchplay, and now the Australian Darts Masters, his fourth career World Series title. His performance in Auckland, despite the streak’s end, underscores his resilience and hunger for success. “It felt great to win in Wollongong,” Littler reflected. “I cannot wait for Auckland now. We’re all here to win, and hopefully I can go back-to-back.” His ability to handle the pressures of fame, media attention, and vocal crowds has drawn praise, with Littler noting, “For myself, it’s come naturally. The media attention, it’s part of the deal.”
As the tournament progresses to its bumper Finals Day on Saturday, August 16, all eyes will be on Littler to see if he can replicate his Australian heroics. The Spark Arena, home to the New Zealand Breakers, is set to host a spectacle as Littler, Humphries, Bunting, and Price battle for supremacy. With the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam looming in September, a strong performance in Auckland could solidify Littler’s position as a global darts superstar. Whether he claims the title or not, ‘The Nuke’ has proven he’s a force to be reckoned with, and his journey in New Zealand is only the latest chapter in an already legendary career.
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