Luke Littler’s ascent to the top of the darts world is complete. He has booked his spot in the Grand Slam of Darts 2025 final. Littler beat Danny Noppert by 16-9 during the semi-finals in Wolverhampton. This victory will allow the 18-year old to surpass Luke Humphries as the darts player of the highest order in the PDC Order of Merit.
The latest in Littler’s meteoric rise that has seen him revolutionise sport. In just two years he has gone from World Championships runner-up as a qualifying to World Champion and World No. 1 with eight major championships to his name.
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Luke Littler won the Grand Slam of Darts title with a convincing victory over Luke Humphries.
Littler also holds the record for the youngest PDC World No. 1 ever at 18 years and 299. The previous record, held by Michael van Gerwen with 24 years and 251 in 2014, was set by Michael van Gerwen.
Littler’s 2025 season continues on a remarkable path after he won his first World Title at Alexandra Palace.
Littler has also won the Australian Darts Masters, New Zealand Darts Masters, Belgian Darts Open, Flanders Darts Trophy, and Players Championship 32.
He then won his Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton against Humphries, becoming only the fourth person ever to have two consecutive victories on the same date.
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Luke Littler achieved two massive finishes, 167 & 160, which led Luke Humphries to tease the ‘Nuke’
“I’ve only been on tour for two years and already I’m world number one.” It’s done. “But now I have a much bigger match to play later tonight,” Littler explained.”I said throughout the entire year that Luke Humphries would be the best in all of the world. Now I’m the best in all the world.”Once my goal was achieved and I knew I had won, I concentrated on the final.Luke played absolutely incredible. I told him that it was a strange, weird game and I’m happy to have won.”Back to back!”
PDC World Number 1s
Alan Warriner
Dennis Priestley
Rod Harrington
Phil Taylor
Peter Manley
John Part
Colin Lloyd
Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen
Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright
Michael Smith
Luke Humphries
Luke Littler
This means war!| This means war!
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Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts semifinal match between Luke Humphries (left) and Gerwyn Prices
Humphries had to reach the semifinals of the 2023 World Darts championship in order to be crowned world number one. He did this. He needed to reach the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship in 2023 and did exactly that.Since then, he obviously clinched the world title against Littler then won the Premier League, World Matchplay, the Masters, the World Cup, and has defended the Players Championships.However, Littler’s run of his own raft of majors means he has done enough to take over from his rival and namesake.Now, Humphries is motivated to make sure that he is not out of top spot for long and is ready for “war” at the Worlds.
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Luke Humphries shares with us his thoughts on reaching the Grand Slam of Darts finale following his 16-13 victory against Gerwyn Price. Luke Littler is now the man to beat as they battle to become world number 1.
“This may be my last day in the top spot of the world, who knows?” Humphries told reporters that the focus tonight was on winning this trophy. “This is what started my career,” he said.”It sounds crazy but I really hope that he wins,” Humphries said. [Littler] wins. He’s going to probably take it from me anyway. It’s great if Danny wins. But a final with Luke would be even better.”I will fight to win it back when I go to the Worlds. Now it’s war! I’m going back to try and get it back.How do rankings work?
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Luke Humphries announced that he will go to war with Luke Littler during the World Darts Championship, after they exchanged friendly words in response to Littler’s Grand Slam of Darts triumph.
The Werner Rankings Ladder (PDC World Rankings) is based on prize money won over a two-year period by players in ranking tournaments.That means Humphries has been defending a raft of money from when he went on the run of winning the Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Players Championship, then Worlds.Meanwhile, Littler has been racking up those tournaments ‘Cool Hand’ has been trying to clinch.Prior to the Grand Slam, there was £72,000 separating the two Lukes but by making the final for a second year running, Littler now moves £81,500 in front. If he wins the final, he moves £161,500 ahead.Webster: Does Humphries dropping to world No 2 matter?
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Luke Littler danced as he lifted Eric Bristow Trophy, after winning Grand Slam of Darts.
Sky Sports’ Mark Webster said: “It was an amazing display.” Luke Humphries’s performance is synonymous with this.”It may be his final time as No. 1 for the moment. Things can always change. He was here to win the championship and he did it in title-winning style.In the scheme of things, is it important? You will continue to win events and get yourself back in the game.What’s next? The next live TV major on Sky Sports is PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace from December 11, to January 3, 2019. Now lets you stream darts, soccer, golf and cricket, all without a contract.
2025-11-16 11:59:00
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