Luke Littler: Darts Champion – Records & Rise

When darts dominator Luke Littler was asked about Phil Taylor’s record, he almost became a bit megalomaniacal. 16 world titles? “I would need another 15 or 16 years for that, I would say,” joked the old and new world champion at the press conference at Alexandra Palace. “I’m going to be here for a long time and I’m here to win.” For the rivals who were humiliated at the World Cup, this sounded like a threat.

Littler impressively defended the darts throne he conquered last year at just 18 years old. The splendid 7:1 over the hopeless Dutchman Gian van Veen was a symbol of Littler’s dominance, who was never really in danger at the first XXL World Cup with 128 professionals. “I can’t think of any player at the moment who can stop him in any way,” said German professional Max Hopp, describing the current situation in darts.

The record prize money of one million pounds (around 1.15 million euros) and the Sid Waddell Trophy, which weighs a good 20 kilograms, go to Littler. The young star was only the fourth professional ever to be able to defend his title at the World Cup – veteran Gary Anderson from Scotland last achieved this ten years ago. Record champion Taylor and his English compatriot Adrian Lewis also achieved this.

“Nothing will ever beat a first World Cup title – for anyone, in any sport, because it’s the first time you’ve done it. But this was about confirming that,” said Littler, who had a dream year and also won the World Matchplay, the World Grand Prix and the Grand Slam of Darts before the World Cup.

Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, the biggest names in the scene, also sent warm words to the new dominator on the final day. “Huge congratulations to @LukeTheNuke180. Great job, you played brilliantly,” wrote “The Power” Taylor on

He leads the rankings with a lead of more than £1.5 million over his long-term rival Luke Humphries. The 18-year-old wouldn’t have to throw a single dart until October – and still couldn’t be pushed out in the rankings by Humphries and his other rivals. But there is no sign of a break for Littler. “I want to dominate everything. I want to win everything,” announced Littler.

For van Veen, who had played an outstanding tournament up to the final, his only role at times was as an extra. “I would have liked to give Luke a real duel, but I wasn’t able to do that today,” said the European champion from the Netherlands. In the darts scene there are currently the world leaders around Humphries, van Veen and van Gerwen – but two levels above everyone, Littler is all alone.

The young Englishman only lost four sets in his seven World Cup games. His two biggest opponents at the tournament in Ally Pally didn’t throw arrows: in the final, a wasp buzzed around Littler and his body on stage for almost a minute. For a short time, the 18-year-old seemed to have more respect for this than for van Veen or the enormous pressure in a final.

Last year, the whistles and boos from the spectators bothered him in the 4-2 win in the round of 16 against former world champion Rob Cross. Angry, Littler barked at the fans with a red face, but there was a reconciliation on the final evening.

“Incredible. Thank you again,” Littler said. His 7-1 win over van Veen was the last game in the West Hall of Alexandra Palace. From the next World Cup onwards the games will be played in the larger Great Hall. There will then be room for around 5,000 spectators per session instead of the current 3,000.

Master of ceremonies John McDonald and referee George Noble, who said goodbye to the final after almost 20 years with the PDC world association, will no longer be there. “You had a fantastic career,” Littler noted. McDonald brought the professionals onto the stage for almost two decades. Noble was one of the most famous referees.

“My first year, Russ Bray retired, and now those two legends are gone. I think I’m a little late to the party,” Littler noted. The PDC announced that McDonald and Noble would be inducted into the Darts Hall of Fame.