Luke Littler Beats Michael van Gerwen to Win First PDC World Darts Championship

In October 2006, a 17-year-old Michael van Gerwen announced himself to the darts world with a sensational victory at the World Masters, becoming the youngest winner in the tournament’s history. It was a seismic moment for the sport, heralding the arrival of a prodigy who would dominate the game for years to come. 

Fast forward almost two decades, and van Gerwen, now a three-time World Champion, finds himself staring across the oche at a player who wasn’t even born when he first made history—Luke Littler.

The Tale of the Tape: Littler vs. MVG

The parallels between the two are undeniable. At just 16, Littler burst onto the scene last year with a dream run to the World Championship final. His youthful exuberance and fearless performances captivated the Ally Pally crowd. 

Leading 4-2 against Luke Humphries in that final, he seemed destined to claim the title, only to falter, missing darts for 5-2 and eventually losing 4-7. 

It was a heartbreakingly familiar tale—a mirror of MVG’s own first final in 2013, where he led the great Phil “The Power” Taylor by the same margin before succumbing 7-4.

For van Gerwen, that defeat was a stepping stone. The following year, he returned to the World Championship final with a steely resolve, defeating Peter Wright 7-4 to claim his maiden title and launch the "Mighty Mike" era. 

Will History Repeat Itself? 

Now, van Gerwen stands as the seasoned warrior, determined to remind the world of his dominance. But standing in his way is Littler, who has arrived at this year’s championship with maturity, precision, and the weight of expectation on his young shoulders. 

No longer the teenage underdog, the 17-year-old has stormed through the competition as the title favourite, drawing comparisons to MVG’s own rapid ascent to stardom.

Both players share an unrelenting drive to succeed, and both know the sting of falling short at the final hurdle. 

For Littler, victory would make him the youngest PDC World Champion in history—a record MVG set in 2014 but now risks losing to the rising star. For van Gerwen, it’s about preserving his legacy and proving that he still has what it takes to overcome the sport’s brightest young talent.

The Final Begins

As the two players emerged onto the grand stage at Alexandra Palace, the atmosphere was electric. Luke Littler, the 17-year-old prodigy, basked in the adoration of the crowd, emerging as the clear fan favourite. Yet, Michael van Gerwen, the seasoned legend, commanded immense respect, with not a single boo echoing during his walk-on. It was a battle of generations, and the anticipation was palpable.

Van Gerwen had won the pre-match bull-off, giving him the advantage of throwing first in the opening leg. However, the Dutchman couldn’t capitalise. Littler, showing no signs of nerves, immediately broke MVG’s throw and rode that momentum to steal the first set.

While van Gerwen showcased flashes of brilliance with a short flurry of 180s in the opening sets, his finishing betrayed him. Missed doubles proved costly, and Littler punished him ruthlessly, surging to an early 2-0 lead.

PDC / Kieran Cleeves

The Nuke Has Landed

The Green Machine’s unshakable composure seemed scrambled, while Littler methodically dismantled him, leg by leg. The young sensation continued to play with the poise of a veteran, and the crowd could sense history in the making.

Two more sets passed in quick succession, with Littler doubling his advantage to a commanding 4-0 lead. At this point, a whitewash of the three-time champion seemed a genuine possibility. The unthinkable was on the cards.

Van Gerwen’s Short Burst Back

Finally, in the fifth set, van Gerwen found a spark. A stunning 132 checkout, finished on the bullseye, ignited the crowd, and marked his first set win of the match. Crucially, it also included his first break of Littler’s throw. The Dutchman celebrated with a roar, knowing this could be the turning point he so desperately needed.

But Littler was in no mood to relent. In the sixth set, more erratic darts from van Gerwen allowed the youngster to regain control. The Warrington Wonderkid surged forward with more clinical precision, restoring his dominance to take a 5-1 lead, putting him just two sets away from an extraordinary maiden World Championship victory.

Van Gerwen did manage to hold his throw in the seventh set, showing a flicker of the resilience that had made him a legend, narrowing the gap to 5-2. Yet, with Littler still firmly in the driver’s seat, the mountain facing MVG to stage a comeback looked nearly insurmountable.

Luke Littler is World Champion 

Littler refused to repeat the mistakes of last year’s final against Luke Humphries, holding his throw against the seasoned Dutchman with remarkable composure. Demonstrating maturity beyond his years, the 17-year-old closed out two of the next three sets to secure his place in history. With a commanding 7-3 victory, Luke Littler etched his name onto the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy.

While the final showcased moments of brilliance, it was not a nail-biting classic; instead, it was a testament to Littler’s dominance and undeniable talent. The young star was simply a class above his opponent on the night.

Many believe Littler was destined for this moment, fulfilling the prophecy of greatness 18 days before his 18th birthday. In doing so, he became the youngest world champion in darts history, cementing his legacy as a generational talent in the sport.