In the electrifying world of professional darts, 18-year-old Luke Littler, dubbed “The Nuke,” has redefined excellence in 2025, cementing his status as a near-unbeatable force. Despite a rare 6-4 quarterfinal loss to Nathan Aspinall at the U.S. Darts Masters in New York on June 28, Littler’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, posting a staggering 108.89 average—his highest losing average on television this year. This defeat, one of only six televised knockout losses in 2025, underscores a remarkable statistic: Littler has averaged over 100 in every single one of these defeats, a feat that highlights his relentless consistency and places him among the sport’s elite, even in defeat.
Littler’s 2025 campaign has been a masterclass in precision and poise. The reigning PDC World Champion, who claimed the title in January by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 at Alexandra Palace, has amassed an impressive haul of 10 titles, including the UK Open and Belgian Darts Open. His World Championship run was historic, not only for making him the youngest champion at 17 years and 347 days but also for setting a record with a 140.91 set average against Ryan Meikle. “I keep saying it, but that first game against Ryan Meikle really mattered,” Littler reflected, crediting his ability to settle after a tough opener for his subsequent dominance. His journey to the final included victories over Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting, dropping just three sets in the latter stages.
The U.S. Darts Masters loss to Aspinall, where Littler’s 108.89 average was outdone by a clinical 108 checkout, was a rare blemish. “I pushed him all the way,” Aspinall said, acknowledging Littler’s formidable skill. Yet, Littler’s losing averages in 2025—105.12, 107.59, 108.50, 100.29, 100.33, and 108.89—paint a picture of a player operating at an otherworldly level. Even in his third-round exit at the Players Championship One, where Joe Cullen outscored him 6-3, Littler’s 87.8 average was an anomaly, marred by 15 missed doubles. His Premier League campaign further showcased his brilliance, with a 113.91 average in a 6-5 loss to van Gerwen in Belfast, the second-highest losing average in the competition’s history.
Littler’s meteoric rise has transformed darts, drawing record viewership and sponsorships. His 2024 Grand Slam triumph, a 16-3 rout of Martin Lukeman, and six Premier League nightly wins set a points record, though he fell 11-8 to Luke Humphries in the final. “I am glad to say the Premier League is over—it’s been a tough 17 weeks,” Littler admitted, hinting at the grueling schedule. His four nine-darters in 2024, including one in the Premier League final, and 127 180s at Alexandra Palace underline his scoring prowess. Off the oche, Littler’s charisma—parading his trophy at Old Trafford and inspiring over 100,000 Littler-branded dartboards sold—has fueled “Littlermania.”
As Littler prepares for the World Cup of Darts alongside Humphries, his hunger remains insatiable. “I want to win more than 10 titles,” he declared, eyeing Phil Taylor’s 16 World Championships. With a £1 million PDC Order of Merit ranking and endorsements from KP Nuts and Xbox, Littler’s trajectory suggests a dynasty in the making, challenging rivals like Humphries and van Gerwen to elevate their game.
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