World Matchplay Darts 2025: Luke Littler Looks to Dethrone James Wade as Youngest Ever Champion

Reigning world champion Luke Littler produced a comeback for the ages to reach his first ever Betfred World Matchplay final, beating recent World Cup of Darts winner Josh Rock 17-14 in a Blackpool classic.

Nightmare Start for Littler

But it was far from smooth sailing for the 18-year-old sensation. Littler found himself 5-0 down in the opening session and looked completely out of sorts, struggling to find rhythm or range on the Winter Gardens stage.

A Nine-Dart Moment of Magic

Everything changed in the eighth leg.

With both Littler and Rock firing in back-to-back 180s, the crowd sensed something special was brewing—and they got it. 

With both players sat on 141, a flashback to the iconic world final moment between Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen emerged.

This time, it was Littler who stepped up and hit the nine-darter with ease, denying Rock even a chance to attempt one himself. The moment sparked Littler into life.

The Comeback Begins

From that moment on, the tone shifted. Littler gradually chipped away at Rock’s lead and eventually drew level at 9-9, before edging ahead 10-9, and he never looked back.

Even when Rock pulled out a stunning 170 checkout, Littler’s trademark ‘big fish’, later in the match, it wasn’t enough to derail the Warrington wonderkid.

The pair combined for a staggering 29 maximums (15 for Littler, 14 for Rock) setting a record for the most 180s in a single match in World Matchplay history.

It was a high-quality slugfest that had everything and ended with Littler securing a 17-14 victory and a place in his maiden World Matchplay final.

“I Didn’t Think About Anything—I Just Knew the Route”

We caught up with Littler after the match, who reflected on the moment of brilliance that flipped the script. He believes his nine-dart leg was the best ever, even greater than Michael Smith’s.

In the context of the match, with Littler seemingly dead and buried, we asked how he managed to find such perfection under pressure.

“You ask me? No idea,” Littler joked.

“When you’re sat on the 141, and Josh is also sat on the 141. I didn’t think about anything, I just knew the route.”

“I didn’t celebrate; I was still annoyed with myself. I think if I gave it a bit of emotion, I might’ve dropped off. But as soon as that nine went in, I think I started to pick it up and played a lot better.”

The Greatest Leg in Darts History?

Statistically, it may go down as the most perfect leg of darts ever played, 15 flawless darts between the two players with no misses..

“I think it is the greatest. All of them Trebles and the double were perfect.”

Final Showdown with Wade Beckons

Littler now faces 2007 World Matchplay champion James Wade in Sunday’s final, a repeat of this year’s UK Open final, which Littler won.

Back in 2007, Wade became the youngest ever winner of the tournament at just 24 years old. Littler was only six months old at the time.

When told of that stat, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“2007? I was only just born,” Littler again joked.

Now on the brink of becoming the youngest ever World Matchplay winner himself, Littler knows what’s at stake, but remains focused.

“I’ve got plenty of time to think about it and try to pick up the trophy. But now I’m here, now I’m in the final. It’s obviously all eyes on that trophy.”

“Obviously, I’ve got the win over him, so I know the feeling of getting a major win over him. But he’s been here plenty of times, and he’s experienced.”

“The experienced guys, they’re still here. They’ve got the experience there, but for myself I’ve got a lot of experience of picking up the world championship. I think I’ve settled into almost every competition that I walk into.”

Littler has already shown he can handle the biggest moments, and now, he’s just one win away from making history again.