The Alexandra Palace erupted in cheers on December 11, 2025, as Luke Littler, the 18-year-old sensation dubbed “The Nuke,” launched his title defense with a gritty 3-0 straight-sets victory over Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas in the PDC World Darts Championship opener. Though the scoreline suggested dominance, Littler’s path to the last 64 was far from straightforward—Labanauskas, a seasoned quarter-finalist from 2020, pushed the world No. 1 to the brink in the first two sets, forcing deciders before Littler’s clinical finishing sealed the deal. Averaging a sharp 101.54 with seven 180s and nine of 14 doubles landed, Littler now eyes a second-round clash with either Belgium’s Mario Vandenbogaerde or Wales’ David Davies. For fans tracking the Luke Littler PDC World Championship journey, this win—amid a record £5 million prize pot—reaffirms his meteoric rise, blending youthful flair with champion poise. As the expanded 128-player field heats up, Littler’s opener sets the tone for a festive spectacle blending underdogs, veterans, and history in the making.
A Nail-Biting Start: Littler’s Composed Comeback Under Ally Pally Lights
Alexandra Palace, darts’ festive heartbeat, welcomed back its youngest-ever king on the tournament’s glittering opening night. Littler, who stunned the world by clinching the 2025 crown at 17 years and 347 days—edging Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final—entered as the top seed, carrying the weight of a Triple Crown (World Championship, World Matchplay, Premier League) and world No. 1 status. His opponent, 49-year-old Labanauskas (world No. 95), brought pedigree: a 2020 quarter-final run and a 130 bullseye hold in the opener’s first leg.
The first set teetered on a knife-edge. Labanauskas, Lithuania’s trailblazer and former WDF world No. 1 (2015-2016), held firm with that 130 finish, forcing a decider where Littler—throwing second—clinched 3-2 on double 10 after a 15-darter. Set two mirrored the drama: Labanauskas leveled at 2-2 via double 16, but Littler’s 124 checkout in the decider swung momentum, securing another 3-2. The third set showcased Littler’s killer instinct—120 and 124 checkouts in legs two and three—before a composed double six on his first dart wrapped a 3-1 leg win.
Post-match, Littler exhaled to Sky Sports: “It definitely wasn’t easy—I’m happy with the win. There were a few nerves, but once you win a leg and a set, it settles you. That first set was crucial against the darts.” His 101.54 average—bolstered by seven maximums—belied the tension, landing 64% of doubles. Labanauskas, averaging 95.25, departed with £15,000, his valiant stand earning respect in a field where first-round exits sting.
This opener, part of the PDC’s bold 128-player expansion (up from 96), underscores the tournament’s evolution: more global flavor (48 international qualifiers), a £1 million winner’s purse (double last year’s), and a format demanding endurance from day one. Littler’s composure? Vintage champion stuff.
Littler’s Stellar 2025: From Teen Prodigy to Triple Crown Titan
Littler’s 2025 was a darts odyssey, catapulting him from 2024 runner-up (7-4 loss to Luke Humphries) to undisputed king. Crowned youngest world champion ever in January—beating van Gerwen days shy of 18—he banked £500,000 and shattered records. By July, the World Matchplay fell (his second major), completing the Triple Crown with his 2024 Premier League triumph. November’s Grand Slam victory over Martin Lukeman (16-3) vaulted him to world No. 1, eclipsing van Gerwen’s mark at 24.
Beyond majors, Littler amassed nine PDC titles, including UK Open (11-2 over James Wade), World Grand Prix, and Players Championship Finals. His haul: £2.77 million career earnings, eight nine-darters (three televised), and averages routinely topping 100+. Off the oche, honors poured in: MBE for services to darts, Warrington’s honorary citizenship, and a stadium rename (The Luke Littler Stadium) by hometown rugby club Warrington Wolves. From St Helens Youth Academy at age eight to Ally Pally icon, Littler’s arc inspires—proving dedication trumps age.
Yet, pressure mounts: only Phil Taylor (16 titles), Michael van Gerwen (three-time champ), Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson have retained. Littler eyes that elite: “I want more than 10 titles this year—if I end with nothing but the big one, that’s fine.” His Ally Pally affinity? Unbreakable—three wins there already, including a 140.91 set average record vs. Ryan Meikle last year.
| Luke Littler’s Major 2025 PDC Achievements | Event | Result | Key Highlight | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDC World Championship (Jan) | Winner | 7-3 def. M. van Gerwen | Youngest champ ever (17y 347d) | £500,000 |
| UK Open (Mar) | Winner | 11-2 def. J. Wade | First European Tour title repeat | £50,000 |
| World Matchplay (Jul) | Winner | Def. G. Anderson | Triple Crown completed | £200,000 |
| World Grand Prix (Oct) | Winner | Def. L. Humphries | Back-to-back majors | £100,000 |
| Grand Slam of Darts (Nov) | Winner | 16-3 def. M. Lukeman | Youngest world No. 1 | £150,000 |
| Players Championship Finals (Dec) | Winner | Def. L. Humphries | Ninth major title | £120,000 |
This table captures Littler’s dominance, fueling buzz for his title defense.
Opening Night Drama: Smith’s Straight-Sets Stroll and Emerging Stars Shine
Littler’s wasn’t the only spotlight on night one. 2023 champion Michael Smith, 35, whitewashed Women’s World Matchplay winner Lisa Ashton 3-0 (3-2, 3-0, 3-1), reeling from early crowd jeers but storming with seven straight legs. “That first set was nerve-wracking—the crowd was on me straight away,” Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live. “But once I took it, happy days.” Averaging 91.19 to Ashton’s 77.13, he advances to face Niels Zonneveld or Haupai Puha.
Debutant Arno Merk, 28, stunned Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts 3-1 (3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 3-0), his 89.83 average edging Huybrechts’ 86.09. Latvia’s Madars Razma, 30, edged Dutch qualifier Jamai van den Herik 3-1 (3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2), averaging 89.07. These upsets highlight the field’s depth: 128 players, 40 seeds, and qualifiers from 28 nations.
The expanded format—best-of-five sets in round one—amps tension, with £5 million total prizes (up £1 million). Broadcast globally on Sky Sports, DAZN, and PDCTV, it draws millions, blending festive cheer with high-stakes arrows.
What’s Next: Friday’s Fixtures and Path to Glory
Round one rolls on Friday, December 12, from 12:30 GMT: Niels Zonneveld vs. Haupai Puha, Ian White vs. Mervyn King, Ryan Searle vs. Chris Landman, Rob Cross vs. Cor Dekker (afternoon); Ross Smith vs. Andreas Harrysson, Ricky Evans vs. Man Lok Leung, Gian van Veen vs. Cristo Reyes, Damon Heta vs. Steve Lennon (evening). The first round wraps December 19, quarters New Year’s Day, semis January 2, final January 3.
Littler’s bracket? A potential quarter-final vs. Gerwyn Price or Nathan Aspinall—tough sledding. As he eyes retention (last: Gary Anderson 2016), the Ally Pally faithful chant: “There’s only one Luke Littler.” With £1 million on the line and a legacy beckoning, his defense promises fireworks.
For darts devotees, this opener wasn’t flawless—but it was fierce. Littler’s poise amid pressure? A reminder: at 18, he’s not just defending a title; he’s redefining darts’ future. Tune in—the Nuke’s reloaded.
