Luke Littler aiming to join elite group of just four darts legends by winning World Matchplay to complete triple crown
The World No.2 picked up a Premier League title back in 2024 and followed it up by
Advertisement
1
Luke Littler admits he is focused on becoming a triple crown champion at the World Matchplay
Credit: Getty
'The Nuke' now needs to win the iconic major at the
Winter
Gardens to add his name to another list of icons.
Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and most recently Luke Humphries are the only four players to have completed the prestigious feat.
Taylor, 16-times world champion, is still the only player to have completed the 'Triple Crown' in a singular darting season.
Teen sensation Littler is focused on making sure he picks up that first-round win against Ryan Searle on Sunday to start his path for what would be another history-making victory.
Advertisement
He said: 'I am looking forward to going back.
'Obviously my debut didn't go how I wanted it to go, a tough first round against Michael.
'I am just looking forward to that first game and getting a win at the iconic Matchplay.
'It definitely motivates me to try and get the win and try and go far in what has been an up-and-down season so far.
Advertisement
Most read in Darts
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
'Hopefully I can just win that first game and see what goes on from there – I just want to get a win at the
Winter
Gardens.'
He added: 'The World Cup did not go to plan for me and Luke [Humphries]. It was tough conditions that we couldn't do much about, but now the Matchplay, you are on your own, not in a team, and can battle it out with the best in the world.
'This is why we play darts indoors' - Video of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries struggling in new tournament emerges
'The Matchplay is a different breed and it is going to be tough if I want to go all the way.
Advertisement
'If I win it, I join that 'Triple Crown' group, so that is obviously what I am focusing on – win the Matchplay and then I will have all three.
'I didn't even realise properly that the 'Triple Crown' was a thing, I thought it was another major added to the list.
'But with only Luke, Phil, Michael, and Gary doing it, it would be a massive achievement.'
List of all-time Darts World Champions
BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year.
The list does
not
include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included.
1994 - Dennis Priestley
1995 - Phil Taylor
1996 - Phil Taylor (2)
1997 - Phil Taylor (3)
1998 - Phil Taylor (4)
1999 - Phil Taylor (5)
2000 - Phil Taylor (6)
2001 - Phil Taylor (7)
2002 - Phil Taylor (8)
2003 - John Part
2004 - Phil Taylor (9)
2005 - Phil Taylor (10)
2006 - Phil Taylor (11)
2007 - Raymond van Barneveld
2008 - John Part (2)
2009 - Phil Taylor (12)
2010 - Phil Taylor (13)
2011 - Adrian Lewis
2012 - Adrian Lewis (2)
2013 - Phil Taylor (14)
2014 - Michael van Gerwen
2015 - Gary Anderson
2016 - Gary Anderson (2)
2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2)
2018 - Rob Cross
2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3)
2020 - Peter Wright
2021 - Gerwyn Price
2022 - Peter Wright (2)
2023 - Michael Smith
2024 - Luke Humphries
2025 - Luke Littler
Most World Titles
14 - Phil Taylor
3 - Michael van Gerwen
2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright
1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Piers Morgan and Jack Grealish lead celebrities hailing England's Lionesses after incredible Euro 2025 triumph
PIERS MORGAN and Jack Grealish led the stars congratulating the Lionesses after their Euros final brilliance. England won a dramatic penalty shootout 6 The Lionesses won the Euros by beating Spain on penalties Credit: AFP 6 Chloe Kelly converted the winning penalty and made herself the hero again Credit: Getty 6 Piers Morgan led the celebs congratulating the Lionesses Credit: Alamy 6 Jack Grealish said the final was 'incredible' Credit: Getty After Sarina Wiegman's legends beat Germany in the final in 2022, it is back-to-back Euros crowns for the Prince William and his daughter Charlotte cheered them on from the stands and they then went on to the pitch to celebrate with the players. He later tweeted: "What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment." Prime Minister READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Celeb tributes were lead by broadcaster Piers Morgan, who said: "BOOOM! Well done Lionesses - and great to see an Arsenal star score the winning penalty. Congrats Chloe Kelly." Comedian Jack Whitehall reacted: "Come on England! Chloe Kelly is pure aura. It's come home again!!" The Spice Girls' official account added: "That's Girl Power. Congratulations." London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "An amazing team, an amazing tournament! So proud of the Lionesses for another history-making performance on the world stage. Their heart, grit, and determination has inspired a new generation." Most read in Football England are queens of Europe England legend Lucy Bronze reveals she played Player ratings - see how England's finest in Chloe Kelly steals the show after Eagle-eyed fans stunned at where Joyous SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN And from the football world, England men's star Three Lions captain Harry Kane wrote: "Back-to-back! Incredible achievement. Congratulations to all players and staff." Lionesses hero Hannah Hampton reveals incredible conversation with England fans before Chloe Kelly's decisive penalty Alongside a lion emoji, Phil Foden tweeted: "Let's go!! Congrats!!" A delighted Gary Lineker penned: "They've done it again. She's done it again. Kelly's heroes. Fabulous." Former Lionesses manager and Manchester United icon Phil Neville was thrilled, saying: "Love this team." England legend Rio Ferdinand commented: "They've done it again. Back To Back! Massive." And the FA's official account wrote: "Congratulations to our Lionesses for retaining their European title and becoming the first England Senior team in history to win a tournament overseas." 6 Harry Kane congratulated the Lionesses on social media Credit: Getty 6 Gary Lineker heaped praise on Chloe Kelly Credit: PA
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Luke Littler beats James Wade to win first World Matchplay crown in Blackpool
Luke Littler won his first World Matchplay crown as James Wade's remarkable run in Blackpool fell at the final hurdle. Littler claimed a hard-fought 18-13 victory at the Winter Gardens to become the fifth player to win the PDC Triple Crown – Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries having also won World Championship, Matchplay and Premier League titles. Wade was in his seventh Matchplay final 18 years on from his solitary success in 2007, which came six months after Littler was born. Luke Littler is the new king of the Winter Gardens! 👑 The 18-year-old produces another spectacular performance to become the youngest champion in the history of the Betfred World Matchplay! 👏 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 27, 2025 Littler's scoring power in a high-quality contest proved decisive – he hit 17 180s to Wade's six in averaging 107 – and set a new tournament record of 64 maximums, beating Adrian Lewis' previous best of 56. 'It means absolutely everything,' Littler told Sky Sports after winning the last four legs to hold the Phil Taylor Trophy aloft. 'I idolise Phil, he's come here 16 times and won it. Now my name is on this trophy – and I can say I've completed the Triple Crown. 'Since I started on the Tour and got my Tour card I've always said to myself, 'as long as I win one of every major I'll be happy.' Now my name is on this trophy – and I can say I've completed the Triple Crown 'I've only got a few left to tick off and I'll definitely chase the majors I haven't won yet.' Littler had to mount another comeback 24 hours after losing the first five legs of his semi-final to Northern Ireland's Josh Rock. Wade stormed into a 5-0 lead but did not have a single dart at a double in the second mini-session as Littler levelled in style. The 42-year-old left-hander produced an 11-darter in the next, but Littler responded by winning successive legs to lead for the first time at 7-6. Wade managed to keep in touch, helped by a bull finish in the 19th leg, and fought back from a double break down to cut the gap to just one at 14-13. LITTLER REIGNS AT THE WINTER GARDENS! ☢️ LUKE LITTLER IS THE 2025 WORLD MATCHPLAY CHAMPION! The World Champion produces a sensational display to defeat James Wade 18-13 and lift the Phil Taylor Trophy for the first time! 👏#MatchplayDarts | Final — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 27, 2025 But Littler pulled away and crossed the line in style with a 115 out shot (20-57-38), the biggest finish of the match. 'A little bit,' Littler said when asked if he had felt in control. 'Five-nil down once again, I said, 'I've been here before, what are you doing?' 'But I managed to pull it out of the bag and win the next five. I've shown I can come back from 5-0 or 7-3 down. 'I'm happy I can pull myself out of these scorelines, but I don't want to be 5-0 down again. 'James started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts.' By winning the title 18-year-old Littler became the youngest ever champion in Matchplay history, six years younger than Wade when he lifted the title.
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Luke Littler beats James Wade to claim first World Matchplay title
Luke Littler won his first World Matchplay crown as James Wade's remarkable run in Blackpool fell at the final hurdle. Littler claimed a hard-fought 18-13 victory at the Winter Gardens to become the fifth player to win the PDC Triple Crown - Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries having also won World Championship, Matchplay and Premier League titles. Wade was in his seventh Matchplay final 18 years on from his solitary success in 2007, which came six months after Littler was born. Littler's scoring power in a high-quality contest proved decisive - he hit 17 180s to Wade's six in averaging 107 - and set a new tournament record of 64 maximums, beating Adrian Lewis' previous best of 56. "It means absolutely everything," Littler told Sky Sports after winning the last four legs to hold the Phil Taylor Trophy aloft. "I idolise Phil, he's come here 16 times and won it. Now my name is on this trophy - and I can say I've completed the Triple Crown. "Since I started on the Tour and got my Tour card I've always said to myself, 'as long as I win one of every major I'll be happy.' "I've only got a few left to tick off and I'll definitely chase the majors I haven't won yet." Littler had to mount another comeback 24 hours after losing the first five legs of his semi-final to Antrim native Josh Rock. Wade stormed into a 5-0 lead but did not have a single dart at a double in the second mini-session as Littler levelled in style. The 42-year-old left-hander produced an 11-darter in the next, but Littler responded by winning successive legs to lead for the first time at 7-6. Wade managed to keep in touch, helped by a bull finish in the 19th leg, and fought back from a double break down to cut the gap to just one at 14-13. But Littler pulled away and crossed the line in style with a 115 out shot (20-57-38), the biggest finish of the match. "A little bit," Littler said when asked if he had felt in control. "Five-nil down once again, I said, 'I've been here before, what are you doing?' "But I managed to pull it out of the bag and win the next five. I've shown I can come back from 5-0 or 7-3 down. "I'm happy I can pull myself out of these scorelines, but I don't want to be 5-0 down again. "James started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts." By winning the title 18-year-old Littler became the youngest ever champion in Matchplay history, six years younger than Wade when he lifted the title.
