Teenager Littler Defeats Van Gerwen to Secure Historic World Championship Victory
Luke Littler made history with an extraordinary 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen to become the youngest-ever PDC World Champion at just 17 years old.
The Warrington teenager showcased phenomenal skill and composure, surging to a 4-0 lead in the final. Although Van Gerwen managed to take three sets, he never posed a serious threat to Littler, who stayed firmly in control throughout the match.
Van Gerwen, who was the youngest champion until now, won his first of three titles at age 24 in 2014. However, Littler shattered that record with a dominant performance on the Alexandra Palace stage. Averaging just over 102 and landing 12 180s, Littler delivered a darting masterclass to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy and the £500,000 top prize.
Coming just weeks before his 18th birthday, Littler’s poise and precision suggest this is only the beginning of a stellar career. He had reached the final last year but lost to Luke Humphries. This year, with world number one Humphries eliminated in the fourth round, Littler seized the opportunity to claim the ultimate prize.
Despite being a three-time champion and appearing in his seventh final, Van Gerwen couldn’t match the young phenom’s brilliance. The Dutchman, who hasn’t been in top form this season, struggled with consistency, particularly in his finishing. While he averaged 100 and hit 13 180s, his doubles success rate—just 14 out of 38—proved costly.
Littler’s confidence and precision were evident as he capitalized on Van Gerwen’s early missed opportunities to build an unassailable lead. Even against such an experienced opponent, the teenager showed no signs of nerves, delivering a performance that cements his status as darts’ newest superstar.
‘Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy’
“I can’t believe it,” Littler told Sky Sports. “We both played so well.
“I said in interviews that I needed a quick start tonight, and that’s exactly what I managed to do. Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You have to get through such a tough field—I still can’t believe it.”
After making waves at last year’s World Championship, ‘The Nuke’ had an incredible 2024, winning 10 titles and hitting four nine-darters. He carried that exceptional form into Alexandra Palace, where he averaged over 100 in five of his six matches and led the tournament with 76 maximums, earning the Ballon D’Art trophy for top 180 hitter. Though he fell short of Michael Smith’s record of 83 from 2022, Littler’s dominant displays left no doubt about his place at the top.
Operating at a level far above the competition, Littler showcased not just relentless scoring power but also clinical finishing. His mastery of double 10, a favorite he rarely misses, combined with perfect timing for crucial 180s and big checkouts, proved too much for his opponents. Littler’s ability to deliver under pressure mentally dismantled anyone who stood in his way.
There’s a growing sense that darts has found its next generational star. Comparisons to Phil Taylor, who won his first BDO world title 35 years ago, are inevitable. With Littler’s skill and composure at just 17, Taylor’s record of 16 world titles could one day be within reach.
The wait goes on for Van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen knows exactly what it’s like to be in Luke Littler’s position—dominating the big stage at a young age. However, his last world title came in 2019, and he has now lost three finals since then.
Widely regarded as the best player since Phil Taylor, the Dutchman boasts an astonishing 157 PDC titles worldwide. Yet, the past couple of years have been challenging, marking the first time since his maiden major in 2012 that he has gone back-to-back seasons without a major win.
Van Gerwen fought hard against Littler but admitted he lacked the extra gear needed to prevail, while the teenager made the most of every opportunity. “Every chance he got and every moment he had to hurt me, he did,” Van Gerwen said in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Reflecting on the new darting sensation, Van Gerwen—at twice Littler’s age—offered a wry acknowledgment of the sport’s future. “I’m 35, he’s 17. Every 17 years, a star gets born,” he joked.
Despite the loss, Van Gerwen is far from finished. Reaching the final after a tough season is an achievement in itself. However, Littler’s emergence signals a new era, and Van Gerwen, along with the rest of the darting elite, will need to elevate their game to match the teenager’s rapid rise.
World title caps Littler’s meteoric rise
Luke Littler’s rise to stardom may have started at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago, but his relentless brilliance over the past year has taken both him and the sport of darts to unprecedented heights.
Sir Keir Starmer commended Littler on X for his “mesmerising performance,” calling it an “inspirational display under immense pressure” to secure the world title. The prime minister also praised Littler, saying, “You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved tonight—not just for yourself, but for the sport of darts as a whole.”
In a remarkable 2024, Littler climbed from 164th to second in the PDC Order of Merit, capping the year with a world title to add to his Premier League, World Series, and Grand Slam victories.
Off the oche, Littler has sparked a surge in interest in darts among young people, helping bring the sport further into the mainstream. His impact was recognized when he won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award, and he also finished as runner-up in the main category to Olympic gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson.
Now a world champion, Littler stands as a trailblazer for his generation. With immense talent and the world at his fingertips, the sky is truly the limit for this natural-born dartist.