Teenage Sensation Luke Littler Rewrites Darts History with World Championship Victory

Historic Achievement in Professional Darts

Luke Littler has made history by becoming the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner at age 17, defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at Alexandra Palace to claim the £500,000 first prize and the Sid Waddell Trophy.

Tournament Performance and Record-Breaking Victory

The teenage sensation delivered a masterclass performance, maintaining an impressive 102 average and converting 56% of his double attempts. Littler dominated the early stages of the match, establishing a commanding 4-0 lead, though van Gerwen mounted a valiant comeback effort.

This victory has secured Littler’s place in PDC history as the youngest world champion ever, breaking the previous record held by van Gerwen, who was 24 when he first claimed the title in 2014.

Continued Success and Future Prospects

Following his World Championship triumph, Littler has continued to dominate the sport throughout 2025. While he couldn’t retain the Premier League title after losing to world No 1 Luke Humphries in the final at London’s O2 arena, he has secured multiple prestigious titles including the World Matchplay, UK Open, Australian Darts Masters, and New Zealand Darts Masters.

Professional Darts Evolution

The sport continues to grow, with the PDC announcing significant prize money increases for future tournaments. Starting from the 2026 World Championship, the champion’s prize will double to £1,000,000 from a total prize fund of £5,000,000. The tournament field will also expand from 96 to 128 players, while the total prize money across PDC events will increase by £7,000,000 from the 2025 season.