In a sport dominated by legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, Luke Littler is carving his path to greatness. At just 17 years old, the young Englishman clinched his first major ranking title at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts, further solidifying his status as the sport’s next big superstar.
A Tournament Debut to Remember
Making his debut in Wolverhampton, Littler’s journey to the title was nothing short of spectacular. On finals day, he first edged out darting legend Gary Anderson in an epic 16-15 semifinal showdown. Then, in the final, “The Nuke” demolished Martin Lukeman with an emphatic 16-3 victory. After trailing 0-2 early on, Littler responded with a staggering 15 consecutive legs, showcasing his unmatched talent and composure.
Climbing the Ranks
With this victory, Littler catapults to fifth place in the PDC Order of Merit, a meteoric rise in less than a year. But the teenager isn’t content with just a top-five ranking—he has his sights set even higher.
“I knew coming into the tournament, if I did get my hands on the trophy, I’d be up to number five in the world,” Littler shared with Sky Sports. “There’s still more ranking tournaments to go this year, so hopefully I can go a bit higher than five!”
The Weight of History
What truly sets Littler apart is his confidence and ambition. After securing his third major title of the year, Littler is already being compared to darting icons Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor. Losing finalist Martin Lukeman was effusive in his praise:
“Luke is just different gravy. He’s done great things for the sport and has brought in so many new fans. He has the talent to surpass even Michael and Phil.”
For Littler, these comparisons are motivating rather than daunting. Asked whether he could match or even surpass Taylor’s record-breaking 16 World Championship titles, the prodigy didn’t shy away:
“If I want it, then I should get it. But it’s going to take quite some years to pick up the amount of trophies, not only what Michael van Gerwen has got, but also Phil Taylor.”
The Road Ahead
With his remarkable Grand Slam triumph, Littler is now the bookmakers’ favorite to win the World Darts Championship in December-January. Yet his focus remains unwavering: improving his ranking and continuing to dominate on the oche.
As Littler puts it:
“The World Championship is the big one, but I’m also looking forward to Minehead. Hopefully, I can have a deep run there and keep climbing the rankings.”
The Birth of a New Era
Luke Littler’s rise isn’t just a story of raw talent—it’s a glimpse into the future of darts. His fearless performances and hunger for greatness suggest he could rewrite the record books, challenging Taylor’s legacy and pushing the sport to new heights.
The darts world is watching closely, and one thing is clear: Littler isn’t just here to compete—he’s here to dominate.
Ben Evans is a passionate darts writer with a keen eye for statistics and news. With years of experience following the PDC scene, Ben brings in-depth coverage of tournaments, player performances, and emerging dart trends. Known for his detailed analysis and love for the game, he keeps fans updated with the latest stats, match insights, and memorable moments. When he’s not covering the action on the oche, Ben enjoys a game of darts, staying sharp on the sport he loves.