Luke Littler (Image: PA)
Darts wonderkid Luke Littler is set to mark his 18th birthday in a subdued fashion with family, having already gifted himself the ultimate prize by clinching the World Championship title. The young darting sensation turns adult today, but he’s not planning any wild celebrations due to a jam-packed darts calendar ahead.
Fresh from making history as the youngest ever world champion by defeating Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace earlier in the month, and securing victories in both the and Grand Slam of Darts during an impressive debut year on the PDC Tour, Littler is keeping things low-key. With the Dutch Darts Masters and the World Masters on the horizon, followed by the kickoff in February, the newly-minted 18 year old is opting for a quiet night in over a lavish bash.
Reflecting on his whirlwind year and the modest birthday plans, Littler shared with the PA news agency: “I haven’t got anything planned really because there is a lot of darts around this time. I will probably just do something at home before the crazy schedule starts. But I gave myself the best early birthday present by winning the Worlds.
“My first year has been difficult, at the start of the year with the and travelling to the European Tours, I have been travelling up and down the country.
“It’s at the start of the year when the crazy schedule is.”
Luke Littler has turned 18 (Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Littler’s first triumph at Ally Pally is expected to be just the beginning, barring any major setbacks. He believes he has what it takes to surpass Phil Taylor’s impressive 16-title record, provided he maintains his drive and longevity.
Taylor himself has expressed that he would be pleased to see his record broken but notes that Littler now has a target on his back. “Can he get better, I don’t know,” Taylor said.
“I don’t know him that well, he is a lovely lad, a normal 17-year-old, likes his phone, he’s very quiet and humble. He’s not money-oriented, he is family-orientated, he loves his mum and dad.
“It’s up to him now, once you have got that name you are a target so you’ve got to really buckle down now and practice hard because everybody is after you now.”
With over £1.6 million in prize money from darts, Littler’s earnings are further boosted by lucrative sponsorship deals with leading brands. Since making a splash at the 2024 World Championship, he has helped propel darts into the limelight, becoming an international celebrity beyond the sport.
Littler’s accolades include being runner-up for Sports Personality of the Year, presenting at the Brit Awards, featuring on Forbes magazine’s cover, and appearing on the Jonathan Ross Show. The surge in darts’ popularity can be attributed to Littler, with Matchroom president Barry Hearn hailing him as “the gift that keeps on giving”.
As Hearn said in 2024: “I call it now the Luke Littler effect, the gift that keeps on giving.
“I would compare him to the British version of Tiger Woods.
“He has his feet on the ground and doesn’t seem to get phased, for a 17 year old that is just amazing.
“I just think that darts hasn’t even started in where it is going to go globally.
“I have been in this business for 50 years and I have never seen anything like this in any sport, it’s as simple as that. ”.