Under the glittering lights of Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens, Luke Littler delivered a performance that will be remembered as one of the defining moments in darts history. The teenage prodigy, already hailed as the sport’s next superstar, arrived at the 2024 Betfred World Matchplay carrying the weight of enormous expectation — and departed with the Phil Taylor Trophy in his hands and his name etched alongside the sport’s greats. At just 18 years old, he completed darts’ coveted Triple Crown, joining an elite group that includes Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries.
From the very first round, Littler played with a composure and confidence that belied his years. He opened his campaign by dismantling Ryan Searle with a dazzling 109 average, a statement of intent that sent ripples through the tournament. As the week progressed, he displayed not only his natural flair and scoring power but also a steely determination that marked him as something special. His quarter-final against Andrew Gilding became an epic 30-leg contest — a test of nerve, precision, and endurance. Littler held firm in the closing stages, producing crucial checkouts to edge through and book his place in the final four.
Then came the moment that electrified the Winter Gardens: a perfect nine-darter against fellow rising star Josh Rock in the semi-final. The crowd erupted as Littler, calm and focused, completed perfection under pressure — a feat that cemented his reputation as both entertainer and champion. Despite trailing three times by five legs during the match, he refused to yield, mounting astonishing comebacks each time. His fighting spirit, coupled with an unshakable rhythm on the oche, carried him through to the final in unforgettable fashion.
In the championship match, he faced the seasoned James Wade — one of the sport’s most experienced and resilient competitors. Yet Littler rose once more to the occasion, blending fearless scoring with clinical finishing. His 18–13 victory was not only decisive but historic, sealed with a 107.24 average and an astonishing total of 64 maximums over the course of the tournament — breaking Adrian Lewis’s long-standing record.
When the final dart landed, the magnitude of his achievement became clear. Littler had not only conquered the Winter Gardens but had redefined what was possible for a player of his age. The youngest ever to lift the World Matchplay trophy, he also became the youngest player in history to complete darts’ Triple Crown — a remarkable feat of consistency and brilliance across the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
As the crowd roared and the lights reflected off the famous Phil Taylor Trophy, it felt like the passing of a torch. In the very venue that has hosted so many of darts’ greatest nights, Luke Littler’s triumph was more than just a victory — it was a coronation. A new era had begun, and in the heart of Blackpool, a young man from Warrington had carved his name into darting immortality.
Winter Gardens, Blackpool, UK. 26th July, 2025. 2025 Betfred World Matchplay Darts Day 8; Luke Littler in action on the oche in his semi-final match against Josh Rock Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News
Winter Gardens, Blackpool, UK. 27th July, 2025. 2025 Betfred World Matchplay Darts Day 9; Luke Littler celebrates winning the Betfred World Matchplay final against James Wade with the trophy Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News
