Luke Littler’s World Darts Championship And The Shortlist For Young Sports Personality

When the final dart flew at the 2025 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, the screams, excitement and cheers of the crowd at Alexandra Palace was massive. Because the winner of the trophy was not a seasoned veteran but a teenager. That teenager was Luke Littler. And at that moment, Dart’s history was rewritten.

Seventeen. That’s how old Littler was when he became the youngest ever world champion in darts. He beat Michael Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, 7–3 in the final.

He didn’t just win. He dominated. He kicked off the match with a whooping 4–0 start. Van Gerwen tried to fight back; but Littler was too sharp, too composed. In the end, he won.

After the win, Littler’s eyes brim with tears of victory as he realised his dreams had come to life. He lifted the Ballon D’Art for hitting the most 180s during the tournament, plus a 500,000 euros prize.

Littler didn’t hide his amazement. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “Honestly, I can’t believe it.”

“We both played so well. I said in my interviews, I needed to get off to a quick start and that’s what I did.

Van Gerwen also congratulated Littler although the three-time world champion admitted he didn’t play to the level he did in the rest of the tournament.

The rise from the Loss

Worth remembering: just a year before, Littler had walked into that same arena, same tournament and had lost in the final to Luke Humphries.

That loss stung. Big time. But instead of breaking him, it built him. In interviews after his 2025 title win, Littler admitted that the heartbreak from 2024 gave him fuel. He relived that pain. He channelled it. And he came back stronger.

He said at the time with all the confidence of someone who’s seen pressure, accepted it, and made it his friend, that he didn’t just want to win one major. He wanted to win everything. All the majors. Why not dream big? He pointed to legendary names like Phil Taylor, who amassed 16 world titles. Littler didn’t say “maybe”. He said “I can do that”.

And since that night at Alexandra Palace, well, Littler’s not stopped. No resting on laurels. No hanging up his darts.

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In 2025, he bagged theWorld Matchplay crown, defeating James Wade in the final. He rattled off a performance like few can, smashing a record number of 180s for the tournament, firing a 107.24 average, stamping himself as youngest to win that trophy too.

He didn’t stop there. The wins kept piling: other major titles, series titles, world-class performances. The senior pros looked on, probably raising eyebrows. And just this past month, Littler clinched the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts, felling Luke Humphries 16–11 in the final. That triumph made him the youngest ever to reach world No. 1 in the sport’s ranking, a spot previously held by veterans like van Gerwen.

After the final, with the trophy in hand, he didn’t shy away from the truth: “It’s not even been two years, I have not even spent two years on tour and I am already world No 1.”

He said it as he meant it because he did.

The Massive Support from People

Here’s a guy who walked into the biggest stage in darts at 17 and didn’t just compete, he conquered. That raw confidence, that “why not me?” swagger, draws you in.

Fans talk about “Littlermania.” It’s not just hype. It’s a phenomenon. Tweets. Cheers. Young kids unwrapping dartboards for Christmas because of him. Older fans shaking heads, saying “haven’t seen anything like this.” Heck, sports writers are comparing him to greats before he’s even 20.

He’s even got dreams bigger than just one title. He eyes Phil Taylor’s 16-title legacy. Maybe that sounds wild to some. But to him? Just ambition. It’s not arrogance, it’s belief. And for now, belief is enough.

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Luke Littler shortlisted for the 2025 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award

Littler’s reign as world No. 1 is official but some voices say the real test begins in December. According to former pro and pundit Wayne Mardle, “what Littler has achieved is ridiculous… but judge him at the World Championship.”

And that’s fair. Because for all the wins, the trophies and No. 1 status, nothing beats defending the biggest crown in darts. The next edition of the World Darts Championship will start on December 11 at Alexandra Palace in London.

“Being nominated for Young Sports Personality of the Year again is a big honour. Last year’s win was a proud moment for me and I’ve had another incredible 12 months. I want to continue raising the profile of darts and bringing new fans into the sport,” Littler said

The shortlist was announced on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show on 2 December. The awards ceremony will take place in Salford in mid-December.