In a thrilling showdown at the 2025 World Matchplay Darts final in Blackpool, 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler cemented his status as a darts prodigy by defeating veteran James Wade 18-13 to claim the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy. The victory marked Littler as the youngest ever champion of the prestigious tournament and the fifth player to complete darts’ illustrious Triple Crown, joining legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries. However, the spotlight shifted from Littler’s historic triumph to Wade’s abrupt departure from the stage, an action that sparked widespread criticism and labeled the 42-year-old as “disrespectful” by pundits and fans alike.
The Winter Gardens in Blackpool buzzed with anticipation as Littler, the reigning world champion, faced off against Wade, a seasoned competitor and the 2007 Matchplay champion. The match began with a stunning display of dominance from Wade, who surged to a commanding 5-0 lead, leaving the young star reeling. But Littler, showcasing the composure that has made him a household name, mounted an extraordinary comeback. With a staggering 17 180s and a 107.24 average, he clawed his way back, leveling the score at 5-5 and eventually taking the lead at 7-6. The match remained a high-octane battle, with both players averaging over 101 and hitting more than 40% of their doubles. Wade fought valiantly, even narrowing the gap to 14-13 with a brilliant 101 checkout, but Littler’s relentless scoring power proved unstoppable, sealing the victory with a 115 checkout.
As Littler basked in the glory of his triumph, Wade’s actions post-match drew immediate attention. Rather than staying on stage to offer congratulations during the trophy presentation—a customary act of sportsmanship in darts—Wade swiftly collected his runner-up trophy from PDC chief executive Matt Porter and exited the Winter Gardens stage. This move left Littler to celebrate alone, prompting a wave of criticism from fans and analysts. On social media, one fan expressed shock, stating, “I can’t believe Wade left the stage before Littler even lifted the trophy!” Another called the behavior “p**s poor,” while a third went further, labeling Wade’s actions as indicative of poor character. The sentiment was clear: Wade’s hasty exit was seen as a breach of darts’ unwritten code of respect.
Sky Sports pundits Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy, speaking on the *Love the Darts* podcast, echoed the fans’ disapproval. Bridge clarified that Wade’s departure stemmed from personal frustration rather than any issue with Littler or the crowd, noting, “He was just angry at himself, which is fine, but we would have liked to have heard from him.” Murphy was more direct, stating, “I thought it was disrespectful for him not to be on the stage at the end. Whether he does an interview or not is up to him, but not to be there when Luke is receiving the trophy, that is disrespectful. Just stand there for a minute and applaud, and then say, ‘I don’t want to talk.’” Their comments highlighted the expectation that, while not mandatory, remaining on stage is a gesture of respect for the victor and the sport.
Despite the controversy, Littler revealed that Wade was gracious in defeat, sharing a private moment of sportsmanship. “He said, ‘Well played, brilliant tournament and well done to you,’” Littler recounted, adding that Wade had improved significantly since their earlier clash at the UK Open, where Littler dominated 11-2. The teenager also disclosed a pre-match interaction where Wade demanded they practice together, telling him, “Get up off your a**e and practice with me. 121.” This tough-love approach seemed to fuel Littler’s focus, contributing to his record-breaking performance.
Wade later addressed the incident on social media, expressing gratitude to his supporters and emphasizing his joy at reaching the final. “It has been a brilliant week of highs and ultimately I’m so happy I made it to the finals last night. A big congratulations to Luke on the win,” he wrote, suggesting his exit was meant to give Littler the spotlight. However, this did little to quell the criticism, especially given Wade’s history of contentious behavior, such as a 2018 incident where he was accused of intimidating an opponent and a 2025 UK Open clash with Luke Humphries that sparked similar debates.
Littler, unfazed by the drama, focused on his achievement. “Phil Taylor is my idol—he won here 16 times and now my name will be on this trophy,” he told Sky Sports. “Since I started on the tour, I’ve always said to myself that as long as I win one of every major, I’ll be happy.” With the £200,000 prize boosting his career earnings past £1.5 million, Littler now trails world number one Humphries by just £300,000 in the PDC rankings. His victory, achieved at just 18 years, six months, and six days, shattered Wade’s previous record as the youngest Matchplay champion.
The PDC clarified that while media obligations are required for the champion, runners-up are not formally obligated to stay for interviews or the presentation, meaning Wade faces no official sanction. Still, the incident has reignited discussions about sportsmanship in darts, with Wade’s actions casting a shadow over an otherwise electrifying final. As Littler continues his meteoric rise, the darts world watches eagerly to see if Wade can redeem his reputation in future tournaments.
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