At just 19 years old, Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has already rewritten the darts history books. He stands as the undisputed World No. 1 and a back-to-back World Darts Champion, a feat almost unheard of in the sport. His incredible 2025 season saw him capture a host of other major titles, drawing comparisons to legendary Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. As he approaches his 19th birthday, Littler is poised to dominate the upcoming Premier League Darts, with only a handful of prestigious events left for him to conquer.
Luke Littler: A Teenage Darts Titan
Wednesday marks Luke Littler’s 19th birthday, a milestone that arrives with an unprecedented list of achievements for a player so young. ‘The Nuke’ isn’t just a rising star; he is the established dominant force in professional darts.
Littler currently holds the prestigious title of World No. 1 and has cemented his legacy by becoming a back-to-back World Darts Champion. His breakthrough victory against the legendary Michael van Gerwen was followed by a commanding defence of the Sid Waddell Trophy, where he defeated Gian van Veen at the iconic Alexandra Palace in January. This incredible achievement alone places him in an elite category of darts legends.
An Unstoppable Run: The 2025 Season
The successful defence of his world title capped a truly remarkable 12 months for Littler. His 2025 season was a trophy haul of epic proportions, demonstrating his consistent excellence across the sport’s biggest stages. During this period, he also claimed victory in:
- The UK Open
- The World Matchplay
- The World Grand Prix
- The Grand Slam of Darts
- The Players Championship Finals
This phenomenal run has seen Littler pull significantly ahead of other top contenders like Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen in the world rankings. His sustained success and relentless pursuit of silverware have led many to draw parallels with the sport’s greatest ever player, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, hinting at a dynasty in the making.
The Premier League Darts: ‘The Nuke’s’ Next Challenge
As the darts world looks ahead, all eyes are on the upcoming Premier League Darts, where Littler is undoubtedly the pre-tournament favourite. The Premier League is a unique and thrilling competition that brings together the world’s best players to battle it out over 17 intense nights of action.
What is the Premier League Darts?
Part of the PDC Darts schedule since 2005, the Premier League runs from February to May, with matches taking place every Thursday night. It’s a gruelling test of consistency and nerve, played across various iconic venues in:
- The United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Europe (including Germany, the Netherlands, and new for 2026, Antwerp in Belgium)
The series kicks off in Newcastle before culminating in a dramatic ‘Finals Night’ at the O2 Arena in London.
Littler’s Premier League History and Rivals
Luke Littler has already made a significant impact in his previous two Premier League appearances, reaching the final on both occasions. Last year, he showcased his dominance by winning six of the 16 weekly events, a testament to his consistent high-level play. He will be looking to go one step further this year and lift the coveted trophy.
The competition will be fierce, with a stellar lineup of players aiming to stop ‘The Nuke’. This year’s field includes:
- Luke Humphries (the defending champion, who defeated Littler in last year’s final)
- Gian van Veen
- Michael van Gerwen
- Jonny Clayton
- Gerwyn Price
- Josh Rock
- Stephen Bunting
What’s Left for ‘The Nuke’ to Conquer?
Despite his tender age and astonishing list of accomplishments, a few prestigious titles still await Luke Littler. As he turns 19, he will undoubtedly set his sights on adding the Winmau World Masters and the European Championship to his collection, as these are the only PDC ranked televised events he has yet to win. Furthermore, the World Cup of Darts represents another potential title he will look to win for the first time in 2026, solidifying his place as arguably the most successful darts player of his generation, regardless of age.
Source: Based on an article from Sky Sports – Sports News, Transfers, Scores | Watch Live Sport.
