At just 18, Luke Littler, the prodigious English darts sensation, is gearing up to defend his crown at the 2025 Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, a city where he cemented his meteoric rise last year. With a steely focus and a string of recent triumphs, Littler is poised to take on a star-studded field at AFAS Live from September 12-14, aiming to repeat his 2024 victory. “It would mean the world to go back-to-back,” he declared, reflecting on the thrill of last year’s tournament. “I’ve won it before, so I know how to win it, and I’m in really good form at the minute.” As the darts world watches, the question looms: can “The Nuke” conquer Amsterdam again?
Littler’s 2024 World Series of Darts Finals run was nothing short of spectacular. The then-17-year-old battled through a grueling gauntlet, edging out Ross Smith 6-5 in the first round, outlasting Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld 6-4, and dominating Chris Dobey 10-7. His semi-final clash against Michael van Gerwen, a five-time champion, was a highlight, with Littler delivering an 11-4 masterclass that left the Dutch crowd stunned. In the final, he dispatched Michael Smith with another commanding 11-4 scoreline, securing his maiden World Series title and announcing himself as a global force. “Last year was a brilliant tournament for me,” Littler recalled. “The highlight probably had to be the Michael van Gerwen game.”
This year, Littler enters Amsterdam as the No. 2 seed, brimming with confidence after a blistering 2025 campaign. Fresh off back-to-back World Series victories in Australia and New Zealand in August, where he clinched the Australian Darts Masters and New Zealand Darts Masters with a stunning 115 average against Luke Humphries in Auckland, Littler is riding a wave of momentum. His recent European Tour win at the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp further underscores his form. “Doing the double Down Under was great for me, and I’m coming off the back of a good European Tour win in Antwerp, so I’m really looking forward to this weekend,” he said, his words radiating the poise of a player who’s already the reigning PDC World Champion and world No. 2.
Littler’s first test in Amsterdam comes against Australian veteran Simon Whitlock, a former World Championship finalist and 2022 World Cup winner. “This will be the first time I’ve played Simon, and I’m sure it will be a good game,” Littler said, acknowledging the challenge posed by “The Wizard,” whose experience and iconic beard have graced countless big stages. The 32-player field is stacked with former world champions like Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, and Peter Wright, all vying for the coveted title. Top seed Stephen Bunting, who topped the 2025 World Series rankings with wins in Bahrain and Copenhagen, faces a tough opener against Danny Noppert, while van Gerwen takes on rising Dutch star Wessel Nijman in an all-Netherlands clash. Raymond van Barneveld, a fan favorite, opens against Norway’s Cor Dekker, ensuring an electric atmosphere.
Littler’s rise has been meteoric since bursting onto the scene. At 17, he became the youngest PDC World Champion in 2025, adding to a trophy cabinet that includes the 2024 Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Matchplay titles in 2025. His 17 PDC titles place him among the sport’s elite, with his aggressive style and unflappable demeanor drawing comparisons to legends like Phil Taylor. Yet, Amsterdam presents a unique challenge: defending a title on a stage where expectations are sky-high. His 2024 performance, highlighted by back-to-back 140 and 130 checkouts, showcased his flair for the dramatic, but repeating that feat requires navigating a field hungry to dethrone him.
As the tournament unfolds across five sessions, with first-round matches split between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, Littler’s journey will be a focal point. His ability to handle pressure, as seen in his 13-match winning streak in Australasia, suggests he’s ready for the spotlight. The Amsterdam crowd, known for its raucous energy, will add to the intensity, especially with Dutch stars like van Gerwen and van Barneveld in contention. For Littler, the goal is clear: to etch his name in darts history once more. “It would mean the world to go back-to-back,” he reiterated, a reminder of his ambition and belief. As fans pack AFAS Live, the stage is set for “The Nuke” to either solidify his reign or face a new test in his remarkable ascent. DC World Champion in 2025, adding to a trophy cabinet that includes the 2024 Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Matchplay titles in 2025. His 17 PDC titles place him among the sport’s elite, with his aggressive style and unflappable demeanor drawing comparisons to legends like Phil Taylor. Yet, Amsterdam presents a unique challenge: defending a title on a stage where expectations are sky-high. His 2024 performance, highlighted by back-to-back 140 and 130 checkouts, showcased his flair for the dramatic, but repeating that feat requires navigating a field hungry to dethrone him.
As the tournament unfolds across five sessions, with first-round matches split between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, Littler’s journey will be a focal point. His ability to handle pressure, as seen in his 13-match winning streak in Australasia, suggests he’s ready for the spotlight. The Amsterdam crowd, known for its raucous energy, will add to the intensity, especially with Dutch stars like van Gerwen and van Barneveld in contention. For Littler, the goal is clear: to etch his name in darts history once more. “It would mean the world to go back-to-back,” he reiterated, a reminder of his ambition and belief. As fans pack AFAS Live, the stage is set for “The Nuke” to either solidify his reign or face a new test in his remarkable ascent.
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