Luke Littler has reached the pinnacle of the darting world, realizing his destiny with a commanding 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen to claim the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship title. At just 17 years old, Littler not only etched his name into the history books but also secured the £500,000 top prize, capping a remarkable journey.
The Road to Glory
The dream final between Littler and van Gerwen was set after three dramatic weeks of darts. Littler showcased his class by defeating Ryan Meikle, Ian White, Ryan Joyce, Nathan Aspinall, and Stephen Bunting. Meanwhile, van Gerwen powered past James Hurrell, Brendan Dolan, Jeffrey de Graaf, Callan Rydz, and Chris Dobey.
Early Drama in the Final
The final began with tension as van Gerwen missed three darts for the opening leg, allowing Littler to secure an early break of throw. The teenage sensation capitalized with a smooth 55 checkout to hold his throw and take a 2-0 lead in the first set. Although van Gerwen clawed back a leg, Littler maintained composure to close out the set 3-1.
Set two saw Littler’s dominance continue. He broke van Gerwen’s throw with a ruthless 82 checkout and sealed a whitewash in the set, averaging over 120. With a 2-0 lead, Littler firmly controlled the match.
Van Gerwen Struggles to Respond
Van Gerwen managed to hold a throw at the start of the third set, but missed opportunities allowed Littler to punish, landing double 10 to secure the set. In set four, Littler continued his relentless form, taking out an 88 checkout on double 7 and punishing more van Gerwen misses to stretch his lead to 4-0.
Signs of Resistance from Van Gerwen
The fifth set saw van Gerwen show glimpses of his class, taking a 132 checkout to finally get on the board. However, Littler quickly responded, firing six perfect darts in the sixth set and landing an 87 checkout to restore his dominance, making it 5-1.
Van Gerwen fought back in set seven, delivering a 12-darter and a strong 13-darter to win the set and pull the scoreline to 5-2. Despite this, Littler’s relentless scoring and accuracy on double 10 ensured that van Gerwen’s resurgence was short-lived.
Sealing the Historic Victory
In set eight, Littler delivered a flawless performance, hitting a 177 setup shot and a clinical 64 checkout to move within one set of victory. Although van Gerwen managed to take a third set, Littler remained composed, finding double 10 once again to move to the brink of victory.
The final leg saw Littler miss bull for a 164 checkout but return to hit double 16 and seal his place in darting history. His ability to maintain composure and capitalize on van Gerwen’s missed opportunities was a testament to his incredible talent.
A Star is Born
Luke Littler’s journey to becoming the 2025 PDC World Darts Champion has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 17 years old, he’s not only showcased remarkable skill but also an unshakable temperament on the sport’s biggest stage. This victory marks the beginning of what promises to be a legendary career in darts.
Congratulations to Luke Littler, the 2025 PDC World Darts Champion!
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.