Luke Littler realised his dream by winning the World Championship after bulldozing his way past Michael van Gerwen.
The 17-year-old sensation beat Van Gerwen 7-3 in a one-sided final to become the youngest ever world champion.
Victory consolidates his position as the top dog in the sport and avenges the final defeat he suffered to Luke Humphries on debut last year.
Littler was in tears after throwing the winning dart to claim what will surely be the first of many world titles.
He has spent the last 12 months proving that breakthrough run was not a fluke, winning 10 titles in 2024, including the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts.
But this was the big one he wanted and it validates all the hype that has surrounded him over the last 12 months.
The rest of the darting world will be strapping themselves in for years of Littler domination and it is not outlandish to think he could one day surpass Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles.
The way he got the better of three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen showed he is the real deal.
Van Gerwen had caused Littler more trouble than anyone else on the tour in 2024 but the teenager got the better of proceedings when it mattered the most.
He averaged 102.73, threw 12 180s and took out 56 per cent of his doubles.
Friday night’s final was the hottest ticket in town as the two biggest names in the sport went head-to-head for the Sid Waddell Trophy.
It was expected to surpass the record 3.71m viewers that tuned in to last year’s final between Littler and Humphries when the teenager won a new army of fans.
For Van Gerwen, the wait for a first title since 2018 goes on and, although he has shown glimpses of his best throughout, defeat cements his position in Littler’s shadow.
The match was effectively over after just 24 minutes of action as Littler won 12 of the opening 15 legs to cruise into a 4-0 lead.
That was due to a mixture of Littler’s scoring power and a damagingly poor success rate on the doubles for Van Gerwen, who missed a host of important chances.
He finally got on the board with a 132 checkout but it was more of the same as Littler continued to keep him at arm’s length.
Littler got the job done with a double 16 to get his hands on the trophy.
Today10:19 AM
Tony Considine
Luke Littler Michael van Gerwen Sets 7 3 Legs 0 0
2 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
“I always say every seventeen years a star is born, and he [Luke Littler] is one of them,” says Michael van Gerwen.
Lets not forget he is 35-year-old himself, he was born roughly 17 years before Littler and went on to win three World Championships so maybe his philosophical answer is true!
“I can’t believe it. I honestly can’t believe it,” said Luke Littler in his interview.
“I thought we both played so well. I said in my interviews that I needed to get off to a quick start and that’s what I did. But Michael was right behind me the whole way through. Those cover shots: he’d hit two trebles and I’d have to come back with two or three,” Littler added.
Well believe it young man – this is your world champion moment:
Flo Rida and Pitbull is back on! Luke Littler hoists the Sid Waddell trophy into the disco lights and confetti. This will go down as one of the biggest nights in the history of darts.
10 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
It’s not the mission he set out for, but Michael van Gerwen still pockets a cool £200,000 on the night as a runner-up and receives a warm cheer from the Ally Pally crowd!
13 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
THAT’S IT! LUKE “THE NUKE” LITTLER IS WORLD CHAMPION!
He almost did it on a Bull, Bull, D16 but it wasn’t to be. It matters little in the end – Luke Littler drops to his knees after keeping his nerve to check out on Double 8.
He doesn’t even turn 18 for another 18-days! But this wonder kid is a world champion in the art of darts! Tears stream from his eyes momentarily before he is congratulated by Michael van Gerwen. A classy touch from the Dutchman!
15 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
(3) Michael van Gerwen 0 – 2 Luke Littler* (6)
A massive 171 leaves just 62 for Luke Littler to check out again after just 9 darts. Van Gerwen can’t keep pace as “The Nuke” hits tops for a 12 darter.
17 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
(3) Michael van Gerwen* 0 – 1 Luke Littler (6)
The Double 10 has been nothing short of a cheat code for Luke Littler at this rate. He opens up a lead in the tenth set.
18 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN TAKES THE NINTH SET!
Littler is still averaging 102.02 which isn’t out of this world, but still pretty incredible. Michael van Gerwen gets down to 49 where he checks out on a 16 and a D17.
20 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
(2) Michael van Gerwen 2 – 1 Luke Littler* (6)
Michael van Gerwen sets the tone with a big 180 with his first three darts. The Netherlands native can’t check out on 66, but a Double 8 settles the nerves somewhat even if the outcome of this finals seems inevitable.
21 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
(2) Michael van Gerwen* 1 – 1 Luke Littler (6)
Michael van Gerwen gets down to 10, but another sublime Double tops from Luke Littler levels it up in the ninth set.
23 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
(2) Michael van Gerwen 1 – 0 Luke Littler* (6)
A shaky opening leg in the potentially deciding ninth set is understandable. Luke Littler settles down with a 180, but van Gerwen holds throw as he checks out on 89.
27 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
Michael van Gerwen averaged 108.92 in that eighth set… yet he didn’t get a dart at double. Littler averaged 112.73 and hit three of his four checkout attempts:
LUKE LITTLER SEALS THE EIGHTH SET! ONE MORE SET FOR VICTORY!
Against the throw, a big 180 gives Michael van Gerwen a big hand initially. Littler gets down to 92, but “MVG” can’t check out. “The Nuke” smashes in a 16 followed by double tops – the 17-year-old sensation from England just can’t be stopped at the minute!
31 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
(2) Michael van Gerwen 0 – 2 Luke Littler* (5)
A massive 177 leaves 50 for Luke Littler. The 17-year-old drills two arrows into the 5 and Double 20 respectively to extend his lead in the eighth set.
32 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
(2) Michael van Gerwen* 0 – 1 Luke Littler (5)
A routine run to the favoured Double 10 for Luke Littler lets him take the first leg of the eighth set and hold throw.
34 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
Luke Littler has been averaging 101.99 per trip to the oche compared to Van Gerwen’s 98.51.
The pair have managed to nail eleven 108s each after seven sets!
36 minutes ago
Dylan O’Connell
Michael van Gerwen is sticking to the uphill task admirably:
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN TAKES THE SEVENTH SET! HE TRAILS 5-2!
“Mighty Mike” starts with a 180 on his own throw, but Littler still puts him under serious pressure by leaving 65 after 12 darts. Van Gerwen hits tops to complete a 13-darter. Just exhilarating to watch. Trouble is, ultimately it was only a hold of throw.
