17-year-old Luke Littler defeated three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest PDC World Championship winner in history.
Littler’s dazzling display at Alexandra Palace not only stunned the darts world, but also cemented his place as a phenomenon in the sport.
‘The Nuke’ broke the record previously held by Van Gerwen, who won his first world title in 2014 at the age of 24.
Facing one of the greatest players in darts history, Littler showed no signs of nerves.
He bursts into a commanding 4-0 lead, leaving Van Gerwen struggling to keep pace.
While the Dutchman eventually managed to get three sets on the board, he was unable to mount a serious comeback, always falling behind Littler, who maintained a relentless pace throughout.
Littler’s performance was defined by his clinical finishing and poise under pressure.
After narrowly missing out on the title last year when defeated by then-No. 1 Luke Humphries, the young star has returned to the grandest stage with renewed focus and determination.
HISTORY. MADE. 🏆
LUKE LITTLER HAS DONE IT!!!
He is crowned the youngest ever champion as he wins in 2024/25 @paddypower World Darts Championship!
A special talent. pic.twitter.com/HVI8KtWrhh
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2025
This time there was no stopping him.
Van Gerwen looked shaky in the early stages of the match. Despite typically strong three-dart scoring, he faltered when it came to hitting doubles, allowing Littler to take advantage and extend his lead.
The defeat marked a rare stumble on the biggest stage. A three-time world champion and one of the most decorated players in darts history, the Dutchman was gracious in defeat, acknowledging his opponent’s outstanding performance.
Littler’s historic victory at the age of 17 is a moment that will go down in darts history. As the youngest ever world champion, he has not only etched his name into the record books, but also inspired a new generation of players to dream big.
Speaking after the win he said: “I can’t believe it. We both played so well.
“I’ve said in interviews that I had to start fast tonight and that’s what I did. But he was behind me the whole game, those covers – he had hit two triples and I had to come back with two or three.
“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You have to go through a difficult field. I can’t believe it.
“I keep saying it, but that first game against Ryan Meikle (in the second round) was the one that really mattered, and the whole time I just settled down.
“At 2-0 (in the final set) I started to get nervous, but I told myself to relax. I pitched for the match and to finish it and finish it was something special.”
The question now is: how far can Littler go? With this major win, the sky seems to be the limit for the young sensation. If his performance at Alexandra Palace is any indication, the darts world may well witness the rise of its next dominant force.
