Misplaced Pages

Luke Littler

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
English darts player (born 2007)

Darts player
Luke Littler
Littler in May 2024
Personal information
NicknameThe Nuke
Born (2007-01-21) 21 January 2007 (age 17)
Home townWarrington, England
Darts information
Playing darts since2017
Darts23g Target
LateralityRight-handed
Walk-on music"Greenlight" by Pitbull featuring Flo Rida and LunchMoney Lewis
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO2019–2020
PDC2023–
(Tour Card: 2024–)
WDF2019–2023
Current world ranking2 Increase 2 (3 January 2025)
WDF major events – best performances
World Ch'shipLast 16: 2022
World MastersLast 64: 2022
PDC premier events – best performances
World Ch'shipWinner (1): 2025
World MatchplayLast 32: 2024
World Grand PrixLast 32: 2024
UK OpenQuarter Final: 2024
Grand SlamWinner (1): 2024
European Ch'shipLast 32: 2024
Premier LeagueWinner (1): 2024
PC FinalsRunner Up: 2024
World Series FinalsWinner (1): 2024
Other tournament wins
British Classic 2023
British Open 2023
Irish Open 2021
Isle of Man Classic 2023
Romanian Classic 2022
Welsh Open 2022
MODUS Super Series 3 2023
MODUS Super Series 4 2023

European Tour Events

Austrian Darts Open 2024
Belgian Darts Open 2024

Players Championships

Players Championship (MK) 2024
Players Championship (WIG) 2024 (x2)

World Series of Darts

Bahrain Darts Masters 2024
Poland Darts Masters 2024

Youth events

British Classic 2021
England Open 2021, 2022
Isle of Man Open 2019, 2020,
2022, 2023
Welsh Open 2021, 2022
JDC Tour 2020 (x2)
Medal record
Men's Darts
Representing  England
WDF Europe Cup
Gold medal – first place 2022 Gandía Men's team
Gold medal – first place 2022 Gandía Men's overall
WDF Europe Cup Youth
Gold medal – first place 2022 Budapest Boys singles
Gold medal – first place 2022 Budapest Boys team
Gold medal – first place 2022 Budapest Boys overall
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Budapest Boys pairs

Luke Littler (born 21 January 2007) is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number two. He is the reigning PDC World Champion after winning the 2025 World Championship, defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final, where he became the youngest world champion in darts history, at 17 years and 347 days old. Littler has won 11 senior PDC titles and is the reigning Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series Finals champion. He has also won two World Series of Darts titles and the 2023 PDC World Youth Championship.

He was the runner-up at the premier events PDC World Championship and Players Championship Finals in 2024, losing to Luke Humphries in the final on both occasions.

In his youth career, Littler also won five PDC Development Tours, the 2022 World Youth Masters, and both the JDC World Darts Championship, and JDC Super 16 twice each.

Having played in BDO and WDF events since he was 12, Littler won his first senior title at age 14. He competed in the 2022 WDF World Darts Championship, becoming the youngest player to win a match at a WDF World Darts Championship, before losing out in the last 16. After qualifying for the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship through his placement on the Development Tour, he became the youngest player to win a match at a PDC World Darts Championship. A 66/1 outsider before the tournament, he defeated six opponents—including former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross—en route to the final, where he was defeated by Luke Humphries. In 2025, Littler reached the final for a second consecutive time, where he defeated Michael van Gerwen to win the title.

Littler is the youngest player to hit a televised nine-dart finish, which he achieved at the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters two days before his 17th birthday. He is also the youngest to hit two televised nine-darters, having hit a second in the 2024 Premier League Darts final at age 17. Littler is the youngest player to hit a broadcast nine-darter, having achieved the feat in 2021 at age 14. Named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2024, he was also runner-up for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, behind Keely Hodgkinson. His rise to prominence at age 16 led to an increased interest in the sport, a phenomenon dubbed Littlermania.

Littler has been noted for his scoring power, hitting a large number of maximum 180 scores, and his proficiency on the double 10 section of the board's outer ring.

Early life

Born on 21 January 2007, Littler spent his early childhood in Runcorn before moving to nearby Warrington. He has two brothers and a sister. He began playing darts when he was 18 months old, after his father bought him a magnetic dart board from a pound shop. He scored his first 180 at the age of six and a nine-dart finish at the age of 13. When he was 10, he joined the St Helens Darts Academy and began playing in under-21 leagues. He was educated at Padgate Academy in Warrington.

Career

Early career

In 2019, Littler won the England Youth Grand Prix and the Isle of Man Masters youth competition, where he was able to defend his title in 2020. The 2020 JDC tour featured two titles from Littler. Littler won the youth title at the England Open in September 2021 and finished second in the British Pentathlon.

In November 2021, Littler won his first seniors title at the Irish Open defeating Barry Copeland 6–2 in legs. This qualified Littler for the 2022 WDF World Darts Championship, at the age of 14. At the end of November, during the JDC MVG Masters tournament, he hit a nine-dart finish.

2022

Littler won the JDC Super 16 in Milton Keynes at the end of January 2022, beating Eleanor Cairns in the final. In March 2022, he won the youth competition at the Isle Of Man Open and advanced to the finals of the Isle of Man Classic. At the 2022 WDF World Darts Championship, Littler started as a seeded player from second round and won his first match against Ben Hazel 3–2 in sets. He was then beaten 3–0 in sets by Richard Veenstra, who set a record average for a World Championship match at Lakeside.

During the Welsh Open warm-up tournament, Littler hit a 121.86 three-dart average in one of his matches. A day later, he won the final for another senior tournament win in his career. In June 2022, he also won the Romanian Classic, beating Jelle Klaasen in the final by 5–1 in legs. At the 2022 WDF Europe Cup Youth, he won the gold medal in three men's competitions (singles, team and overall). His best achievement was defeating Archie Self in the finals of the singles competition, 6–1 in legs. In the pair competition, together with Archie Self, he lost in the semi-finals, 4–1 in legs to Thomas Banks and Charlie Manby.

At the end of September 2022, Littler was selected by the national federation to participate in the 2022 WDF Europe Cup. On the second day of the tournament, he advanced to the quarter-finals of the pairs competition where he played alongside James Hurrell. They lost to Sam Canket and Nick Kenny from Wales, 4–1 in legs. On the third day of the tournament, he advanced to the quarter-finals of the singles competition, where he lost to Andy Baetens 5–4 in legs. In the team competition, he won the gold medal. In the points classification, as a representative of England, he contributed to winning a gold medal.

Littler won the JDC World Darts Championship in London at the end of December 2022, beating Harry Gregory 5–0 in legs.

2023

Littler continued to play on the World Darts Federation circuit in 2023. He won the British Classic. Littler achieved a 5–0 whitewash of Carl Wilkinson in the final. On the same weekend Littler also won the British Open, defeating Peter Jacques 5–2 in the final.

Littler made his debut at a PDC major event at the 2023 UK Open, after qualifying for the tournament via an amateur qualifying event organised by Rileys Sports Bars. Littler reached the fourth round at the tournament, the best showing of a Rileys qualifier alongside Thomas Banks. Littler lost his fourth-round match to eventual semi-finalist Adam Gawlas 10–8. For his showing Littler acquired £2,500 in prize money, which ranked him on the PDC Order of Merit for the first time.

Littler competed in the 2023 PDC Development Tour series. He reached the final at event two, losing to Dylan Slevin 5–4. He then won event three, defeating Jurjen van der Velde 5–1 in the final, event five, defeating Kevin Troppmann 5–3 in the final, and event sixteen, defeating Bradly Roes 5–2 in the final. Littler also won event twenty, Littler, achieved a three-dart average of 115.22 in his last-32 win against Lewy Williams, hit a nine-dart finish in his last-16 win against Rune van Damme and defeated Gian van Veen 5–4 in the final. Littler reached the final at event 23, losing to Gian van Veen 5–4. At Development Tour 24 (DT24), the final Development Tour event of the year, Littler won his fifth Development Tour title, defeating Cameron Crabtree 5–1 in the final. Littler finished second on the 2023 Development Tour Order of Merit with £20,175.

On 26 November, Littler beat Gian van Veen 6–4 in the 2023 PDC World Youth Championship final. The next month Littler retained his JDC World Darts Championship title, defeating Álmos Kovács 5–3 in the final.

In May 2023, Littler won the third season of the MODUS Super Series, defeating Jacob Taylor 4–1 in legs in the final. In August 2023, he won the fourth season of the MODUS Super Series, defeating Colin Osborne 4–2 in the final.

2024

Littler made his first World Championship appearance at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship, held from 15 December 2023 to 3 January 2024, qualifying as a result of his placement in the PDC Development Tour. He started off as an outsider with odds 66/1 odds. In the fourth round, he beat five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld 4–1. Littler then defeated former world champion Rob Cross 6–2 in the semi-final. In the final, Littler lost 4‍–‍7 to Luke Humphries. This made him the youngest player to reach the PDC World Darts Championship final, as he was aged 16 years and 347 days.

In January Littler made his World Series of Darts debut at the Bahrain Darts Masters. He hit his first televised nine-dart finish in his quarter-final win, becoming the youngest player to do so. He won 8–5 against Michael van Gerwen in the final. Littler made another World Series final at the Dutch Darts Masters. In a rematch of the Bahrain event's final, Littler was defeated by van Gerwen 8–6.

As he had gained a PDC Tour Card, Littler played at his first Players Championship series, winning three titles. Littler also won two titles on the European Tour. Littler hit his third nine-dart finish of the year in his victory at the 2024 Belgian Darts Open (ET1). He also won the 2024 Austrian Darts Open (ET5). On 15 September, Littler won the World Series Finals, defeating Michael Smith 11–4 in the final.

On 20 October at 2024 Czech Darts Open (ET13), Littler set his highest PDC three-dart average of his career averaging 116.51 defeating Damon Heta 6–3. On 17 November Littler defeated Martin Lukeman 16–3, securing the Grand Slam of Darts title on debut and winning his first ranking major title. Also in November, he defeated Ross Smith 11–9 to reach his third ranking PDC major final at the 2024 Players Championship Finals. He lost the final to Luke Humphries 11–7.

Premier League Darts

Following the World Championship, Littler was announced to be part of the 2024 Premier League Darts as one of the four chosen wildcards. Littler won his debut match against Luke Humphries 6–2, but lost his semi-final match 6–5. Littler reached the final in week two, but lost to Michael van Gerwen 6–5.

Night nine saw Littler win a Premier League night for the first time, beating Nathan Aspinall 6–4 in the final. Littler then won three more nights to top the table in the league phase after the 16 weeks. This meant that in the play-offs Littler played Michael Smith, who he defeated 10–5 in the semi-final. He then won his first major title, beating Humphries 11–7 in the final. He became the youngest player to win a major PDC tournament. Littler also hit a nine-darter in the final.

2025

Littler qualified for the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship as the fourth seed. He received a bye to the second round as a top-32-seeded player. In the second round, Littler defeated Ryan Meikle 3–1 in sets, breaking the record for the highest set average in a World Championship match by averaging 140.91 in the fourth and final set, missing double 12 for a nine-darter in the second leg of set 4. Littler qualified for the final by defeating Meikle, Ian White, Ryan Joyce, Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting. In the final on 3 January 2025, Littler defeated three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen 7–3 in sets. Aged 17 years and 347 days, Littler became the youngest ever PDC World Darts Champion, breaking the record previously held by van Gerwen, who had been 24 when he won his first world title in 2014. Littler also won the Ballon d'Art trophy for the most 180s scored in the World Championship. He broke £1,000,000 on the PDC Order of Merit for the first time and moved up to a career highest ranking of second in the world, behind Luke Humphries.

Playing style

Littler has been noted for his heavy scoring during matches, frequently hitting the maximum score of 180, Using darts manufactured by Target with characteristically long 45mm points, Littler plays at a quick pace and is known for his efficiency in checking out on the double 10 segment.

Personal life

As Littler rose to public prominence during the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship, he and his then-girlfriend Eloise Milburn (who played darts on the PDC Women's Series in 2023 and 2024) received backlash for their age difference, as he was 16 and she was 21. Milburn's mother defended her after she received abuse online and was called a "gold digger". Littler told The Daily Telegraph that he would "stick with whether people like it or not", though they ended their relationship in July 2024.

A supporter of Manchester United FC and the Warrington Wolves, Littler planned to go on a stadium tour of Old Trafford after the 2024 World Championship final. As runner-up in the tournament, he won £200,000. With his winnings, he also planned to pay for his friends to go with him to Blackpool or Alton Towers. Following his victory over Raymond van Barneveld in the last 16 of the event, Spurs player James Maddison invited him to watch Tottenham Hotspur FC play AFC Bournemouth in a Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In January 2024, Littler revealed on BBC Radio 1 that he was inspired to choose "Greenlight" by Pitbull featuring Flo Rida and LunchMoney Lewis as his walk-on song after he and his father attended the 2017 WWE event WrestleMania 33, which featured "Greenlight" as its theme song. WWE later tweeted an invitation to Littler for their upcoming house show at the O2 Arena in April, which he accepted, and John Cena posted an uncaptioned picture of Littler on his famously cryptic Instagram after Littler admitted to being a fan. Later that year, he was given a tour of WWE's headquarters Titan Towers by Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

In February 2024, Littler signed a deal with fashion brand BoohooMAN to allow him to help promote the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and signed a multi-year professional contract with Target Darts. In March, he made an appearance on the 232nd episode of The Jonathan Ross Show alongside Rob Beckett, Millie Bobby Brown, Liam Gallagher, Raye, and John Squire. He was involved in a darts challenge where he played against Beckett, Brown, and Raye in a three-on-one scoring challenge. The three scored a total of 83, while Littler hit a score of 140. The clip went viral after viewers of the show were amused by his nonchalant reaction to Brown admitting to being a huge fan of him. That same month, he made an appearance on Fantasy Football League alongside Stuart Broad.

Following Littler's unexpected run to the final at the 2024 PDC World Championship, an unprecedented number of new fans began to both play and watch darts, and a record high of 3.7 million viewers watched the 2024 world final. The president of the Professional Darts Corporation, Barry Hearn, attributed this phenomenon to Littler's success and described it as "Littlermania".

World Championship results

WDF

PDC

Career finals

PDC major finals: 6 (4 titles, 2 runners-up)

Legend
World Championship (1–1)
Premier League (1–0)
World Series of Darts Finals (1–0)
Grand Slam (1–0)
Players Championship Finals (0–1)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 2024 World Darts Championship England Luke Humphries 4–7 (s)
Winner 1. 2024 Premier League England Luke Humphries 11–7 (l)
Winner 2. 2024 World Series of Darts Finals England Michael Smith 11–4 (l)
Winner 3. 2024 Grand Slam of Darts England Martin Lukeman 16–3 (l)
Runner-up 2. 2024 Players Championship Finals England Luke Humphries 7–11 (l)
Winner 4. 2025 World Darts Championship Netherlands Michael van Gerwen 7–3 (s)

PDC world series finals: 4 (2 titles, 2 runners-up)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters  Michael van Gerwen 8–5 (l)
Runner-up 1. 2024 Dutch Darts Masters  Michael van Gerwen 6–8 (l)
Winner 2. 2024 Poland Darts Masters  Rob Cross 8–3 (l)
Runner-up 2 2024 Australian Darts Masters  Gerwyn Price 1–8 (l)

Performance timeline

Tournament 2022 2023 2024 2025
PDC Ranked televised events
World Championship DNQ F W
World Masters DNQ
UK Open DNQ 4R QF
World Matchplay DNQ 1R
World Grand Prix DNQ 1R
European Championship DNQ 1R
Grand Slam of Darts DNQ W
Players Championship Finals DNQ F
PDC Non-ranked televised events
Premier League Darts DNQ W
World Series of Darts Finals DNP W
World Youth Championship DNQ W DNP
WDF Ranked televised events
World Championship 3R WD PDC
World Masters 3R NH PDC
Career statistics
Season-end ranking (PDC) – 31 2

PDC Premier League Darts

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
2024 CAR
SF 		BER
F 		GLA
QF 		NEW
SF 		EXE
SF 		BRI
SF 		NOT
SF 		DUB
QF 		BEL
W 		MAN
W 		BIR
F 		ROT
QF 		LIV
W 		ABD
W 		LEE
SF 		SHF
SF 		LON
W

PDC European Tour

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
2024 BDO
W 		GDG
DNQ 		IDO
DNQ 		EDG
2R 		ADO
W 		BSD
1R 		DDC
DNP 		EDO
WD 		GDC
F 		FDT
3R 		HDT
WD 		SDT
3R 		CDO
SF

PDC Players Championships

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
2024 WIG
W 		WIG
2R 		LEI
QF 		LEI
1R 		HIL
DNP 		HIL
DNP 		LEI
4R 		LEI
3R 		HIL
DNP 		HIL
DNP 		HIL
DNP 		HIL
DNP 		MIL
1R 		MIL
2R 		MIL
W 		MIL
3R 		MIL
DNP 		MIL
DNP 		MIL
DNP 		WIG
W 		WIG
4R 		MIL
DNP 		MIL
DNP 		WIG
SF 		WIG
QF 		WIG
4R 		WIG
2R 		WIG
2R 		LEI
DNP 		LEI
DNP

PDC World Series of Darts

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2024 BAH
W 		DUT
F 		USA
SF 		NOR
DNP 		POL
W 		AUS
F 		NZE
SF
2025 BAH
 DUT
 NOR
 USA
 POL
 AUS
 NZE

PDC Development Tour

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
2023 MIL
QF 		MIL
F 		MIL
W 		MIL
QF 		MIL
W 		WIG
QF 		WIG
4R 		WIG
QF 		WIG
4R 		WIG
QF 		HIL
QF 		HIL
4R 		HIL
6R 		HIL
5R 		HIL
3R 		LEI
W 		LEI
5R 		LEI
QF 		LEI
1R 		LEI
W 		MIL
4R 		MIL
QF 		MIL
F 		MIL
W
Performance Table Legend
W Won the tournament F Finalist SF Semifinalist QF Quarterfinalist #R
RR
L# 		Lost in # round
Round-robin
Last # stage 		DQ Disqualified
DNQ Did not qualify DNP Did not participate WD Withdrew NH Tournament not held NYF Not yet founded

Nine-dart finishes

See also: Nine-dart finish
Luke Littler's televised nine-dart finishes
Date Opponent Tournament Method Ref.
19 January 2024  Nathan Aspinall 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12
23 May 2024  Luke Humphries 2024 Premier League Darts 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12

Notes

  1. ^ (l) = score in legs, (s) = score in sets.
  2. Before the start of the 2023 WDF World Darts Championship Littler had to choose between playing in the 2023 WDF World Darts Championship or the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship. He choose the latter.

References

  1. "PDC Order of Merit". PDPA. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  2. "Luke Littler wins BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2024 award". BBC Sport. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  3. "Hodgkinson named BBC Sports Personality of the Year". Rte.ie. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  4. Colman, Jonty (2 January 2024). "Luke Littler – the 16-year-old who is changing darts at PDC World Championship". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  5. Jones, John (3 January 2024). "Luke Littler confirms real age as he tells radio host 'you've lost money' in bet". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  6. Jones, John (21 December 2024). "Luke Littler's glamorous cheerleader sister tipped for reality TV show success". Wales Online. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  7. Woodage, Paul (24 November 2021). "Little by Littler". Darts World. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024.
  8. Cunningham, Conal (2 January 2024). "Luke Littler playing from the age of 10 at St Helens Darts Academy". St Helens Star. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  9. Murray, Jessi (2 January 2024). "North-west goes darts mad for Luke Littler – the boy with world at his fingers". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  10. "Littler, 15, becomes youngest player to win senior game at WDF World Darts Championship". insidethegames.biz. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  11. Gill, Samuel (26 November 2021). "14-year-old Luke Littler produces stunning nine-dart finish at JDC MVG Masters". dartsnews.com. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  12. ^ Wellens, Megan (20 March 2024). "Luke Littler vs Michael Smith: Will the nine-dart kings strike again in the Premier League in Dublin?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  13. Allen, Dave (30 January 2022). "Teenage star Littler wins JDC Super 16 final". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  14. Verbeek, Pieter (11 March 2022). "Hurrell, Littler, Hedman and Greaves move into finals at Isle of Man Classic". dartsnews.com. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  15. "14-year-old Luke Littler qualifies for Lakeside after WDF Irish Open win". dartsnews.com. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  16. Shaw, Jamie (6 April 2022). "Richard Veenstra sets new record Lakeside average at the WDF World Championship". live-darts.com. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  17. Gill, Samuel (7 May 2022). "Littler hits incredible 121.86 average during WDF Welsh Open weekend". dartsnews.com. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  18. "WDF Europe Cup Youth Results". World Darts Federation. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  19. "WDF Europe Cup Men Pairs". World Darts Federation. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  20. "WDF Europe Cup Men Singles". World Darts Federation. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  21. "WDF Europe Cup Men Teams". World Darts Federation. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  22. Gorton, Josh (19 December 2022). "Littler whitewashes Gregory to become JDC World Champion". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  23. "Results of British Classic Men 2023". World Darts Federation.
  24. "Results of British Open Men 2023". World Darts Federation.
  25. "British Open & Classic 2023". DartConndct TV.
  26. Allen, Dave (20 January 2023). "2023 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers set to begin this weekend". PDC. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  27. "PDC UK Open 2023". DartConnect.
  28. "Ranking summary (Order of Merit) | Luke Littler Tour Card". dartsrankings.com.
  29. Gorton, Josh (31 March 2023). "Toonders & Slevin prevail on opening day of 2023 Development Tour". Professional Darts Corporation.
  30. Gorton, Josh (2 April 2023). "Littler secures second Development Tour crown at Event Five". Professional Darts Corporation.
  31. Gorton, Josh (14 July 2023). "Littler and Van Veen continue Development Tour domination in Leicester". Professional Darts Corporation.
  32. "PDC Development Tour 20 • Last 32 | 115.22 Littler, Luke 4–1 Williams, Lewis 102.38". DartConnectTV. 16 July 2023.
  33. Gorton, Josh (16 July 2023). "Nine-dart Littler stuns Van Veen to claim Event 20 title". PDC.tv.
  34. Gorton, Josh (19 August 2023). "Van Veen tops Development Tour Order of Merit as 2023 season concludes". PDC.
  35. Turner, Laura (26 November 2024). "Is Luke Littler the real deal? Laura Turner and Michael Bridge believe the teen star has everything in the locker". Sky Sports.
  36. Gorton, Josh (25 August 2023). "Littler: I've surprised myself with Development Tour success". PDC.tv.
  37. "Development Tour Order of Merit 2023". Darts Rankings.
  38. Gorton, Josh (26 November 2023). "Teenage sensation Littler wins Winmau World Youth Championship thriller". PDC.tv.
  39. "PDC World Youth Championship Finals 2023". DartConnect. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  40. Wood, Kieran (17 December 2023). "Sensational Luke Littler retains JDC World Title with 102 average". Darts News. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  41. Parsons, Mike (8 May 2023). "Luke Littler wins Modus Super Series Champion of Champions series 3". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  42. Wood, Kieran (6 August 2023). "16-year-old Littler retains title and wins fourth season of MODUS Super Series". Dartsnews.com. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  43. Allen, Scott (21 December 2024). "Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler spooks bookies at World Darts Championship". Planetsport.com. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  44. "PDC World Championship 2024: Luke Littler beats Raymond van Barneveld to reach quarter-finals". BBC Sport. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  45. Smyth, Rob (30 December 2023). "Luke Littler beats Raymond van Barneveld: PDC World Darts Championship – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  46. Liew, Jonathan (31 December 2023). "Luke Littler demolishes Raymond van Barneveld to keep adventure going". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  47. "Luke Littler beats Brendan Dolan to reach semi-finals of PDC World Championship 2024". BBC Sport. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  48. Stafford, Ali (2 January 2024). "World Darts Championship: Luke Littler thrashes Brendan Dolan after Rob Cross makes history at Alexandra Palace". Sky Sports.
  49. "Luke Littler beats Rob Cross to reach World Darts Championship final". BBC Sport. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  50. Smyth, Rob (3 January 2024). "Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler to glory: PDC world darts final 2024". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  51. "Luke Littler tipped for the top by NI darts hero Brendan Dolan after World Championship defeat". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 7 January 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  52. Wood, Kieran (18 January 2024). "Luke Littler impresses on World Series debut". Darts News. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  53. "Luke Littler makes winning return in first match since World Darts Championship at Bahrain Masters". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  54. "Luke Littler hits incredible nine-darter in Bahrain Darts Masters before booking spot in final". Sky Sports. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  55. Wilson, Jeremy (19 January 2024). "Watch: Luke Littler opens up with stunning nine-darter in World Series event". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  56. ^ Wellens, Megan (20 January 2024). "Luke Littler: Teenage darts sensation hits nine-darter on way to beating Michael van Gerwen to win Bahrain Masters". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  57. ^ "Bahrain Masters: Luke Littler beats Van Gerwen in final". BBC Sport. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  58. ^ "Dutch Darts Masters: Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler 8–6 in final". BBC Sport. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  59. ^ Stafford, Ali. "Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler 8–6 to claim World Series win in Dutch Darts Masters final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  60. Wood, Kieran (12 February 2024). "Luke Littler wins match with a nine-darter at Players Championship 1". Darts News. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  61. Stafford, Ali (12 February 2024). "Luke Littler fires nine-darter on PDC ProTour during Players Championship debut in Wigan". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  62. "Luke Littler: Teenager hits nine-dart finish and wins Players Championship on debut". BBC Sport. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  63. Wood, Kieran (12 February 2024). "109 average Luke Littler edges 111 average Ryan Searle in Pro Tour classic to take debut Players Championship title". Darts News. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  64. "Luke Littler claims seventh PDC title of 2024 after winning Players Championship 15 in Milton Keynes". Sky Sports. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  65. "Luke Littler clinches Players Championship 20 title in last-leg decider against Stephen Bunting in Wigan". Sky Sports. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  66. "Luke Littler hits nine darter as he wins Belgian Open". BBC Sport. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  67. "Luke Littler: Teenage star hits another nine-darter to win debut European Tour title against Rob Cross". Sky Sports. 11 March 2024.
  68. Phillips, Josh (10 March 2024). "Nine-dart Littler claims glory on Euro Tour debut". PDC. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  69. "Austrian Darts Open: 'Generational talent' Luke Littler claims second European Tour title after beating Joe Cullen". Sky Sports. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  70. Allen, Dave (28 April 2024). "Sensational Littler sees off Cullen for NEO.bet Austrian Darts Open glory". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  71. "Littler wins maiden World Series of Darts Finals". BBC Sport. 15 September 2024.
  72. Gill, Samuel (20 October 2024). "Luke Littler smashes his own Czech Darts Open average record with 116 (!) mark, set to face Van Gerwen". DartsNews. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  73. ^ Matthews, Callum (17 November 2024). "Littler wins Grand Slam to go fifth in world rankings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  74. ^ "Players Championship Finals: Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler in thrilling final to retain title". Sky Sports. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  75. "Results of Players Championship Finals 2024 – Mastercaller". MasterCaller. 24 November 2024.
  76. Stafford, Ali. "Luke Littler to make Premier League Darts debut after run to World Championship final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  77. "Luke Littler selected for Premier League Darts after run to PDC World Championship final". BBC Sport. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  78. Wood, Kieran (4 January 2024). "Luke Littler headlines Premier League Darts class of 2024 as lineup is revealed". Darts News. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  79. Wood, Kieran (1 February 2024). "Luke Littler blitzes past Luke Humphries on Premier League debut to set up semi-final with Michael Smith, after BullyBoy takes victory over van Gerwen in Cardiff". Darts News. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  80. Bower, Aaron (1 February 2024). "Luke Littler takes Premier League debut in stride despite semi-final loss". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  81. "Premier League darts: Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler in night two final in Berlin". BBC Sport. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  82. Wellens, Megan (3 April 2024). "Premier League Darts: Luke Littler fights back against Nathan Aspinall to seal epic Premier League night win in Belfast". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  83. "Premier League Darts: Luke Littler secures back-to-back night wins as Gerwyn Price hits nine-dart finish". Sky Sports. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  84. Matthews, Callum (11 April 2024). "Premier League Darts: Luke Littler beaten by Michael van Gerwen in night 11 final in Birmingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  85. Wellens, Meg (26 April 2024). "Premier League Darts: Luke Littler moves clear at top of table with 6–2 Rob Cross demolition in Liverpool". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  86. Drury, Sam (2 May 2024). "Luke Littler beats Rob Cross in Premier League Darts night 14 final to seal play-off spot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  87. "Premier League Darts table: Final standings as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Michael Smith secure Play-Off spots". Sky Sports. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  88. Colman, Jonty (23 May 2024). "Littler beats Humphries to win Premier League Darts title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  89. Wellens, Megan (24 May 2024). "Premier League Darts: Luke Littler hits nine-darter on way to victory over Luke Humphries in final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  90. Liew, Jonathan (24 May 2024). "Luke Littler powers to Premier League Darts title with nine-dart delight". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  91. "Littler could face Sherrock at World Championship". BBC Sport. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  92. "World Darts Championship draw: Luke Littler to face Fallon Sherrock or Ryan Meikle at Alexandra Palace". Sky Sports. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  93. "Tearful Littler hits record 140 set average in win". BBC Sport. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  94. Gill, Samuel (21 December 2024). "Overview with Top Five Highest Set Averages ever". Darts News. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  95. Ingle, Sean (4 January 2025). "Luke Littler: Darts domination beckons for 17-year-old after first world title". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  96. "World Darts Championship Final 2025 LIVE: Luke Littler wins title – result, stats & reaction". BBC Sport. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  97. Levison, Jack (4 January 2024). "Luke Littler is the youngest World Darts champion ever – how did he get here?". Sky News. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  98. Gill, Samuel (4 January 2025). "Luke Littler wins another major trophy at PDC World Darts Championship in addition to Sid Waddell Trophy". Darts News. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  99. Gill, Samuel (4 January 2025). "PDC Order of Merit Update: Luke Littler passes Michael van Gerwen but World Number One out of reach for now". Darts News. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  100. Chiu, Nigel (4 January 2025). "Luke Littler: What makes youngest ever world darts champion so special after Alexandra Palace triumph". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  101. Mirza, Raz (23 February 2024). "Why is Luke Littler experimenting with his technique? Will it help him win a Premier League night?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  102. Chu, Nigel (4 January 2025). "Luke Littler: What makes youngest ever world darts champion so special after Alexandra Palace triumph". Sky Sports.
  103. Keogh, Francis; Oxley, Sonia (4 January 2025). "Teenage kicks – what makes history-making Littler so good?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  104. O'Dell, Liam (4 January 2025). "Luke Littler's 'double 10' sparks memes following historic World Darts Championship win". Indy100. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  105. McCrum, Ben (3 January 2025). "Fans spot Luke Littler's 'cheat code' that no other player in darts can do". Sport Bible. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  106. "Eloise Milburn - Mastercaller.com". Mastercaller.
  107. Smith, Charlotte (2 January 2024). "Who is Luke Littler's girlfriend, 21, as 16-year-old champ in semi-final". Nottinghamshire Live. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  108. Corless, Blathnaid (3 January 2024). "Luke Littler's girlfriend isn't a gold-digger, insists her mother". The Daily Telegraph – via telegraph.co.uk.
  109. Coleman, Tom (3 January 2024). "Luke Littler's girlfriend gets vile abuse over age gap as mum furious". Wales Online.
  110. "Mum of Luke Littler's girlfriend defends age gap and slams 'money grabber' trolls". SPORTbible. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  111. Wilson, Jeremy; Corless, Blathnaid (4 January 2024). "Luke Littler: I am going to stick with my girlfriend whether people like it or not". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  112. Williams, Glen; Watson, Fraser (21 July 2024). "Luke Littler breaks silence on split from 21-year-old girlfriend with public plea". Wales Online. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  113. Chicken, Steven (3 January 2024). "Which football team does darts prodigy Luke Littler really support after Arsenal and Tottenham visits". FourFourTwo.
  114. ^ "Littler: I'm doing Old Trafford tour after World Championship final!". Premier League. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  115. James, Dylan (2 January 2024). "Luke Littler's net worth at 16 as life-changing prize money emerges". Wales Online.
  116. Luke Littler joins James Maddison for Spurs match!. Sky Sports. 31 December 2023.
  117. Gill, Samuel (12 January 2024). "Luke Littler receives recognition from WWE and legendary wrestler John Cena after World Darts Championship run". Darts News. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  118. Howse, Lewis (8 January 2024). "Luke Littler Accepts Invitation To WWE House Show". Cultaholic Wrestling. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  119. Jenkins, Tom (10 January 2024). "John Cena has baffled people with his Luke Littler post on social media". SPORTbible. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  120. Calcutt, Robert (10 January 2024). "John Cena posts Luke Littler tribute after darts sensation's throwback post". talkSPORT. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  121. Wilson, Jeremy (3 January 2025). "Luke Littler interview: If I win World Darts Championship I'll hide away – no one will find me". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  122. Mata, William (3 February 2024). "Darts sensation Luke Littler wins BoohooMAN modelling contract". Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  123. Killen, Stephen (21 February 2024). "Luke Littler lands 'biggest deal in darts' after signing multi-million-pound pro contract". Manchester Evening News.
  124. "The Jonathan Ross Show Series 21, Episode 3 – Millie Bobby Brown, Rob Beckett, Luke Littler, Liam Gallagher, John Squire, Raye". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  125. Kenmare, Jack (10 March 2024). "Luke Littler playing darts against Millie Bobby Brown on Jonathan Ross show is going viral". SPORTbible. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  126. Wood, Kieran (10 March 2024). "VIDEO: Luke Littler takes on all-star trio in darts challenge on The Jonathan Ross Show". Darts News. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  127. Nair, Joshua (10 March 2024). "Jonathan Ross show viewers think Millie Bobby Brown slipped up and revealed character's fate in Stranger Things finale". LADbible. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  128. Littler, Luke (15 March 2024). "Buzzing to meet @RealMattLucas and the guys on the fantasy football league show, thanks for having me [...] 10pm tonight on Sky Max if you wanna watch" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  129. Watch Luke Littler and Stuart Broad recreate famous pie celebration!. Sky Sports. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  130. Ledwith, Mario (5 January 2024). "Luke Littler inspired darts mania, but grassroots venues are closing". The Times. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  131. Wellens, Megan and Chiu, Nigel. "Walking in a Littler wonderland". Sky Sports News. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  132. Byrne, Paul & Orme, Daniel (2 April 2024). "Pub chief to hang dartboards in 171 venues as Luke Littler mania grips Britain". The Mirror. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  133. "Darts has gone ballistic since Littler's success – coach". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  134. "Luke Littler: Darts hits the bullseye with teenager's rapid rise". BBC Sport. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  135. "Littler-mania driving record darts audiences in UK, Germany". SportBusiness. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  136. Wood, Kieran (2 December 2024). ""There will be envy" towards Luke Littler from other players according to Barry Hearn: "'Littlermania' is spreading everywhere"". Dartsnews.com. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  137. "Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler to win PDC World Darts Championship". BBC Sport. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  138. "Luke Humphries crowned champion of the world after pulsating final against Luke Littler". Dartsnews.com. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  139. "Nine-dart Littler seals Premier League glory on historic night at The O2". Professional Darts Corporation. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  140. "Luke Littler wins World Series of Darts Finals with victory over Michael Smith in Amsterdam". Sky Sports. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  141. Smart, Ryan (19 January 2024). "Luke Littler wins the Bahrain Darts Masters with 8–5 victory over Michael van Gerwen". SPORTbible. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  142. Luke Littler Throws 9-Darter at the World Series! 😳 | ITV Sport | Bahrain Darts 24. ITV Sport on YouTube. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  143. Luke Littler hits 9-darter in Premier League Final. Sky Sports. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.

External links

Top 20 PDC darts players in Order of Merit
   
  1.  Luke Humphries Steady
  2.  Luke Littler Increase
  3.  Michael van Gerwen Steady
  4.  Rob Cross Increase
  5.  Stephen Bunting Increase
  1.  Dave Chisnall Steady
  2.  Jonny Clayton Steady
  3.  Damon Heta Increase
  4.  Gerwyn Price Increase
  5.  Chris Dobey Increase
  1.  Nathan Aspinall Increase
  2.  Peter Wright Increase
  3.  Danny Noppert Steady
  4.  Gary Anderson Steady
  5.  James Wade Increase
  1.  Josh Rock Increase
  2.  Michael Smith Decrease
  3.  Dimitri Van den Bergh Decrease
  4.  Ryan Searle Increase
  5.  Andrew Gilding Increase
Rankings as of 3 January 2025 with movement in rank since 24 November 2024 indicated.
PDC Roll of Honour
Premier tournament winners
World Series event winners
World Cup winners
PDC World Darts Championship winners
Categories: