Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has cemented his place among the sport’s elite, winning the World Matchplay for the first time with an 18–13 victory over veteran James Wade in the final. The win sees the 18-year-old complete darts’ coveted Triple Crown — the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay — all before celebrating his 19th birthday.
Since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old at the 2024 World Championship, Littler’s rise has been meteoric. His resume already includes titles at the Grand Slam of Darts and UK Open, as well as two full Premier League campaigns — finishing runner-up in one and lifting the trophy in the other.
Amid a packed calendar that includes midweek Premier League events and weekend European Tours, Littler says managing rest and recovery has become critical.
“I pull out of tournaments to give me two free days off because it can be tough, especially when the Premier League’s on,” Littler told Mirror Sport.
“You don’t get many days off from February up until May. It’s just about managing the schedule and not overdoing it.”
He and his management team meticulously plan the season to avoid burnout, balancing competitive obligations with physical recovery.
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“If I’m worn out or tired from a Euro Tour — you come back on a Sunday, then there’s Pro Tours on Monday, Tuesday — you’re not going to do them,” he explained. “It’s all about managing the schedule, focusing on yourself, and not tiring yourself out.”
Beyond the oche, Littler also juggles a growing list of media appearances and commercial commitments, leaving little time for reflection.
“There’s not enough time to sit back and look at what I’ve done,” he said. “When I’ve got a week off, I don’t want to be sat down analysing it. I know what I’ve done — I can see the trophies in my living room. It’s about living in the moment.”
This week, Littler travels through Australia and New Zealand as part of the World Series of Darts, which concludes in September with the Finals in Amsterdam. He’ll then shift focus to a jam-packed autumn schedule, culminating in the 2025 World Darts Championship, beginning December 11.
Despite already achieving more than most players do in a lifetime, Littler remains driven.
“Everyone wants to win the majors before the Worlds,” he said. “I want to go back-to-back in the Grand Slam and do well at the Grand Prix.”
With his eyes still firmly set on more silverware, Littler shows no signs of slowing down — proving that even in a sport steeped in tradition, a new generation is already redefining greatness.
