Luke Littler rise likened to Wayne Rooney as unprecedented year sees him climb 162 places and win more than £1m in prize money
Luke Littler’s journey from stepping out at Ally Pally for the first time to now is nothing short of remarkable. The teenage prodigy first stepped on stage last year as a 16-year-old prodigy, unfamiliar to the eyes of the watching world, with a skill set that had been raved about by experts for years. Littler’s rise has been seismic and he has become a world champion in just one yearGetty He was ranked 164th in the world and was without a PDC tour card, but his opening victory over Christian Kist began what proved to be a whirlwind Christmas and New Year for the sensational talent. Littler attracted huge attention for his incredible run which saw him reach the 2024 World Championship final, but he was denied a fairytale debut tournament by Luke Humphries. But within the two week period, ‘The Nuke’ became a superstar, a real rockstar of the oche, and earned his permanent place in the world of darts. His lowly position on the PDC Order Of Merit was short-lived, as an incredible year at the pinnacle of the sport followed. The fact he was a teenager was easy to forget, given how comfortable and at ease he looked when sending the crowd into raptures with his tungsten magic. Littler went on to win ten PDC senior titles in 2024, including the Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series of Darts Final. He has now risen up the rankings and sits live at second on the PDC Order of Merit. This has seen him climb from an incredible 164th to no.2, an increase of 162 places and he is still only just 17. And in what was the biggest match of his career to date, Littler banked an extra £500,000 with a thumping victory over Van Gerwen, triumphing 7-3 at Alexandra Palace on Friday night. ‘MVG’ has won three world titles so far in his career, and is arguably the second most successful player in the sport’s history to Phil Taylor. It was heartache for a brief moment, but 2024 was a year of huge success for ‘The Nuke’ World Darts Championship prize money breakdown Winner: £500,000 Runner-up: £200,000 Semi-finalist: £100,000 Quarter-finalist: £50,000 Fourth-round loser: £35,000 Third-round loser: £25,000 Second-round loser: £15,000 First-round loser: £7,500 He first emerged as a similar young superstar becoming the sport’s youngest ever PDC world champion aged 24, beating Peter Wright to claim the crown in 2014. But Littler beat the record by seven years after taking the darts icon to the cleaners. talkSPORT analyst and former PDC professional player Paul Nicholson believes the teenager’s rise is as rare as they come. He told talkSPORT.com: “To see him rise to almost the top of the rankings is incredible in the space of a year. “It is almost like Wayne Rooney‘s rise to the top of the sport. “It is unprecedented but in this day and age it is a case of looking at the opportunities. Littler has already bagged ten titles but might need a bigger trophy cabinetGetty “The Junior Darts Corporation have afforded opportunities and exposed competition to young stars like Littler so they can decide what to do. “Seeing the nine-darter hit by Littler when he was a child in Gibraltar, we all thought he might be better than most. “But I think the exposure to pressure situations where he doesn’t seem to buckle that has just continued. “It doesn’t matter what the stage is or prize is he just wants to play. “And if he can play and not feel the pressure the limits are boundless.” Van Gerwen was and is still seen as an inspirational figure in the sport. Their clash will no doubt grip current and future generations to come, with viewing records again expected to tumble. But Nicholson believes Littler himself was shown that path to success by previous greats including Van Gerwen himself. “It is rather remarkable. We have had some great young stars in the sport over the years,” Nicholson said. “Michael Van Gerwen was 24 when he won his first world title in 2014. “And perhaps what he did back then has inspired kids to take up the sport. “That could include Littler, he first picked up a dart at the age of seven.” GettyLittler now has a date with Van Gerwen and darting destiny[/caption] Littler is bound to break more records for years to come. “Not every child is coming through and is good as Luke,” Nicholson added. “There are some great young players with some great potential. “But to do what he is doing now is extraordinary but only way to find out if anyone can is to stay tuned. “The inspirational aspects Luke has given darts is incredible and who knows what is next.” “But lets just go along with the journey.” Regardless of the upcoming final it is just the start of his blossoming careerGetty Tune into talkSPORT for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship final from 7pm on Friday, as we bring you exclusive live commentary fr
Luke Littler’s journey from stepping out at Ally Pally for the first time to now is nothing short of remarkable.
The teenage prodigy first stepped on stage last year as a 16-year-old prodigy, unfamiliar to the eyes of the watching world, with a skill set that had been raved about by experts for years.
He was ranked 164th in the world and was without a PDC tour card, but his opening victory over Christian Kist began what proved to be a whirlwind Christmas and New Year for the sensational talent.
Littler attracted huge attention for his incredible run which saw him reach the 2024 World Championship final, but he was denied a fairytale debut tournament by Luke Humphries.
But within the two week period, ‘The Nuke’ became a superstar, a real rockstar of the oche, and earned his permanent place in the world of darts.
His lowly position on the PDC Order Of Merit was short-lived, as an incredible year at the pinnacle of the sport followed.
The fact he was a teenager was easy to forget, given how comfortable and at ease he looked when sending the crowd into raptures with his tungsten magic.
Littler went on to win ten PDC senior titles in 2024, including the Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series of Darts Final.
He has now risen up the rankings and sits live at second on the PDC Order of Merit.
This has seen him climb from an incredible 164th to no.2, an increase of 162 places and he is still only just 17.
And in what was the biggest match of his career to date, Littler banked an extra £500,000 with a thumping victory over Van Gerwen, triumphing 7-3 at Alexandra Palace on Friday night.
‘MVG’ has won three world titles so far in his career, and is arguably the second most successful player in the sport’s history to Phil Taylor.
World Darts Championship prize money breakdown
- Winner: £500,000
- Runner-up: £200,000
- Semi-finalist: £100,000
- Quarter-finalist: £50,000
- Fourth-round loser: £35,000
- Third-round loser: £25,000
- Second-round loser: £15,000
- First-round loser: £7,500
He first emerged as a similar young superstar becoming the sport’s youngest ever PDC world champion aged 24, beating Peter Wright to claim the crown in 2014.
But Littler beat the record by seven years after taking the darts icon to the cleaners.
talkSPORT analyst and former PDC professional player Paul Nicholson believes the teenager’s rise is as rare as they come.
He told talkSPORT.com: “To see him rise to almost the top of the rankings is incredible in the space of a year.
“It is almost like Wayne Rooney‘s rise to the top of the sport.
“It is unprecedented but in this day and age it is a case of looking at the opportunities.
“The Junior Darts Corporation have afforded opportunities and exposed competition to young stars like Littler so they can decide what to do.
“Seeing the nine-darter hit by Littler when he was a child in Gibraltar, we all thought he might be better than most.
“But I think the exposure to pressure situations where he doesn’t seem to buckle that has just continued.
“It doesn’t matter what the stage is or prize is he just wants to play.
“And if he can play and not feel the pressure the limits are boundless.”
Van Gerwen was and is still seen as an inspirational figure in the sport.
Their clash will no doubt grip current and future generations to come, with viewing records again expected to tumble.
But Nicholson believes Littler himself was shown that path to success by previous greats including Van Gerwen himself.
“It is rather remarkable. We have had some great young stars in the sport over the years,” Nicholson said.
“Michael Van Gerwen was 24 when he won his first world title in 2014.
“And perhaps what he did back then has inspired kids to take up the sport.
“That could include Littler, he first picked up a dart at the age of seven.”
Littler is bound to break more records for years to come.
“Not every child is coming through and is good as Luke,” Nicholson added.
“There are some great young players with some great potential.
“But to do what he is doing now is extraordinary but only way to find out if anyone can is to stay tuned.
“The inspirational aspects Luke has given darts is incredible and who knows what is next.”
“But lets just go along with the journey.”
Tune into talkSPORT for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship final from 7pm on Friday, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
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