Darts Dec 07, 2025

Luke Littler motivated by history over money as he looks to go back-to-back at World Darts Championship

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Luke Littler motivated by history over money as he looks to go back-to-back at World Darts Championship

Making history has become second nature for Luke Littler but that does not mean he has lost any motivation to keep making more, with his sights now set on going back-to-back at the World Darts Championship.

The teenage sensation has revolutionised the sport and in the space of just two years gone from World Championship debutant to world champion and world No 1 with eight major titles to his name.

Littler is officially the youngest ever PDC world No 1 at 18 years and 299 days.

Having clinched his maiden world title at Alexandra Palace in January, Littler's 2025 season has continued on a remarkable trajectory.

Five more major titles - the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, UK Open, Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals - were secured, with Littler also winning the Australian Darts Masters, New Zealand Darts Masters, Belgian Darts Open, Flanders Darts Trophy and Players Championship 32.

Now, he heads to the Palace looking to not only become the fourth person ever to defend their title, but be the first ever to pick up a £1m cheque for winning.

While ready to put on a show once again, Littler admits he may feel the nerves with his sights firmly on history and not the cash prize that is up for grabs.

"I was nervous when I wasn't champion, and now I'm coming in as a reigning champion, there's just going to be a bit of nerves, but once I get a few legs on the board, I think I'll be good to go," Littler said.

"I wouldn't say worse, because I know what to expect, if I am nervous and start getting the shakes or something, I know what to do, just got to compose yourself, drink your water backstage. Like I said, there's going to be nerves, 100 per cent.

"It has been 10 years since someone won this back-to-back, so that's what's on my mind, and then I think about the money."

Having achieved so much at such a young age, there have been suggestions that Littler should already be considered among the greatest players in the history of the sport, but the world No 1 is not entertaining such ideas yet.

"No, obviously Michael (van Gerwen) and Phil (Taylor), they've won two, three, four of everything, I've just got to keep going," he added.

"I've got to keep winning titles, I've got to keep picking up all those titles of the same kind. We will see where we are."

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live from December 11 to January 3 on SportNews' dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407 from December 10). .

Tags:

darts news id:13474771

Share this article

Related Posts

Premier League Darts: Gian van Veen 'planning on playing' in Berlin despite surgery to remove kidney stones

Premier League Darts: Gian van Veen 'planning on playing' in Berlin despite surgery to remove kidney stones

Gian van Veen is "planning on playing" in Night Eight of the Premier League Darts in Berlin on Thursday despite still recovering from surgery to remov...

Luke Littler: How will world No 1 react to Berlin boos on Night Eight of Premier League?

Luke Littler: How will world No 1 react to Berlin boos on Night Eight of Premier League?

How will world No 1 Luke Littler react to the Berlin boos on Night Eight of the Premier League? Your Site' Mark Webster says "you can't be everyone's...

Luke Humphries wins Belgian Darts Open as Luke Littler's hopes of Wieze hat-trick ends in shock defeat

Luke Humphries wins Belgian Darts Open as Luke Littler's hopes of Wieze hat-trick ends in shock defeat

Luke Humphries silenced the critics as he defeated Jonny Clayton 8-6 to claim his first stage title since September as Luke Littler's 12-match winning...

Luke Humphries: I don't care about 'aura' - I play darts to win money and provide for my family

Luke Humphries: I don't care about 'aura' - I play darts to win money and provide for my family

Luke Humphries has hit back at comments on social media that he lacks "stage aura" and that he is "giving in" to world No 1 Luke Littler. Humphries cl...

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler battles back from brink to edge Gerwyn Price in last-leg thriller in Dublin

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler battles back from brink to edge Gerwyn Price in last-leg thriller in Dublin

World No 1 Luke Littler battled back from the brink of defeat, reeling off six legs on the spin to edge out Gerwyn Price in a last-leg thriller and cl...

Gerwyn Price has promised to show Gian van Veen 'no mercy' when they meet on stage in the Premier League Darts in Berlin on Thursday

Gerwyn Price has promised to show Gian van Veen 'no mercy' when they meet on stage in the Premier League Darts in Berlin on Thursday

Gerwyn Price has promised to show Dutchman Gian van Veen "no mercy" when they meet on stage as the Premier League Darts roadshow head to Berlin on Thu...