Luke Littler capped a dream week by claiming his maiden Players Championship title with an 11-8 victory over Nathan Aspinall in Minehead on November 22, 2025, ticking off another major from his bucket list just seven days after defending the Grand Slam of Darts and ascending to world No. 1. The 18-year-old sensation, who became the youngest PDC No. 1 at 18 years and 299 days—eclipsing Michael van Gerwen’s 2014 mark—averaged 103.33 in a tense final, holding off Aspinall’s late surge to pocket £10,000 and join the elite with six televised titles. Littler’s rise—from 2023 World Youth champ to 2024 World Championship runner-up—now includes the Players series, leaving just the European Championship and World Masters. As darts’ new king prepares for December’s Worlds at Ally Pally, his dominance signals a thrilling new era.
Final Score and Key Stats
- Result: Littler def. Aspinall 11-8
- Littler Averages: 103.33 (overall); 107.23 (first half)
- 180s: Littler 6, Aspinall 7
- High Checkout: Littler 88 (match point)
- Prize Money: Littler £10,000 (total 2025 earnings £1.85m+)
- Attendance: 1,200 (Minehead Pavilion)
Littler’s composure in the decider—winning 7 of last 10 legs—proved his mettle against Aspinall’s fightback.
The Path to Victory: Littler’s Gauntlet in Minehead
The Players Championship Finals—PDC’s ProTour showcase—featured 64 top earners; Littler topped entry (£50k+ earnings). Last 16: 10-5 over Chris Dobey (98.45 avg). Quarter: 11-8 vs Gerwyn Price (former world champ, 101.23 avg)—Littler’s 13-darter clincher.
Semi: 11-5 vs Ryan Searle—clinical, 102.62 avg.
Final: Early trade (2-2); Littler 5-1 run for 7-3 lead. Aspinall clawed to 8-9 (4/5 legs). Littler’s 88 double-clinch (leg 19).
Littler (ITV): “Proud to tick off—two majors left. Aspinall played well; dug in end.”
Aspinall: “Incredible—Luke’s energy? Don’t know how. Happy to share stage.”
Stats: Littler 189 darts at double (38% success); Aspinall 7 180s edged, but Littler superior doubles (11/19 vs 8/18).
Littler’s Lightning Rise: From Teen Sensation to Darts’ Dominant Force
Littler’s 2025: Eighth major (2024 World Championship, UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix; 2025 Premier League, Players Finals, Australian Darts Masters, Grand Slam repeat).
Pro since January 2024 (World Championship runner-up aged 16)—8 majors in <2 years (matches Taylor/van Gerwen).
No. 1 ascent: Grand Slam semi (November 16, 16-9 Noppert) clinched £1.85m earnings, overtaking Humphries (£1.77m).
Littler: “Not even two years on tour—job done. Best in world—no matter round one exit.”
Webster: “Relentless—youngest No. 1. Wins when needed.”
Humphries’ 23-month reign ends—Littler: “Luke was No. 1; now me.”
Aspinall’s Grit: Finalist Despite Heartbreak
Aspinall (32, world No. 3): Last 16 10-2 Wattimena; quarter 11-6 Gilding; semi 11-8 Cross (101.23 avg).
Final: 4/5 legs to 8-9; 7 180s. “Luke incredible—energy? Unknowable. Pushed him.”
Aspinall’s 2025: World Matchplay win (August); Players semi—consistent top-4.
The Bigger Picture: Greaves’ Youth Final, Littler’s Worlds Prep
Concurrent: World Youth Championship final—Beau Greaves (21, Doncaster) vs Gian van Veen. Greaves—PDC Women’s Series unbeaten 86-match streak, 3x WDF world champ—led 3-2 but fell 6-3. Van Veen: Second retention (after van den Bergh 2018).
Greaves: “Pushed hard—proud. Worlds next—make mark.”
Littler’s Worlds (December 15, Ally Pally): Defending champ vs Humphries rematch? “Big one—let out emotion now.”
Verdict: Littler’s Era Accelerates – Darts’ Future Bright
Littler’s Players win—sixth major—ticks box; two left. Aspinall’s fightback: Class act.
Greaves’ youth final: Women’s darts rising.
Littler: “Proud—learn from losses. Worlds? Ready.”
Darts 2025: Littler’s dominance—new era dawns.
