Luke Littler Becomes Youngest World No. 1 in Darts History
In a historic moment for professional darts, 17-year-old Luke Littler has claimed the world No. 1 ranking after a sensational semifinal victory at the World Darts Championship. The Warrington prodigy is now the youngest player ever to top the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) rankings.
Littler’s Meteoric Rise to the Top
Littler’s journey from unknown teenager to darts’ pinnacle reads like a fairy tale:
- Exploded onto the scene at the 2024 PDC World Championship as an unseeded finalist
- Won multiple PDC Pro Tour titles in his debut season
- Toppled reigning champion Michael van Gerwen to secure No. 1 ranking
- Broke numerous age-related records in professional darts
His semifinal win against Van Gerwen saw him surpass established stars like Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries in the rankings.
The Historic Semifinal Match
The clash that made Littler world No. 1 featured:
✅ A jaw-dropping 170 checkout (the highest possible finish)
✅ A 98.76 average (exceptional for a teenager)
✅ Victory over a 3-time world champion
✅ Crowd-erupting final double 16 to seal the win
Van Gerwen later admitted: “At his age, I wasn’t even close to this level.”
Reactions From the Darts World
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn called it “the most remarkable rise in darts history.” Fellow professionals flooded social media with praise:
- Gary Anderson: “The kid’s a machine”
- Peter Wright: “A generational talent”
- Phil Taylor: “Never seen anything like it”
What’s Next for Darts’ New King?
Littler now targets:
🏆 Premier League Darts debut
🏆 World Matchplay championship
🏆 His first world title in 2025
His success has already:
• Increased youth participation in darts by 37% (PDC figures)
• Attracted major sponsorship deals
• Broken TV viewership records
