PDC World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler Sends Defiant Message Before MVG Final Clash

In a bid to join three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in the final of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, teenage sensation Luke Littler took on fan favourite Stephen Bunting in a highly anticipated semi-final clash.

Littler, who burst onto the professional darts scene at last year’s tournament, was making his second consecutive Ally Pally semi-final appearance. Meanwhile, Bunting, 22 years Littler’s senior, was competing in his second-ever PDC World Championship semi-final.

Although this marked their first meeting on a televised PDC stage, the two were no strangers to each other’s games. Living just a 20-minute drive apart — Littler hailing from Warrington and Bunting from St. Helens — they had crossed paths many times in local leagues before the 17-year-old’s leap to the professional circuit.

Back-to-back Finalist

In an impressive display of composure and skill, “The Nuke” swept past his opponent with a commanding 6-1 victory, securing his place in back-to-back finals.

Now, Littler turns his focus to avenging last year’s heartbreak, aiming to claim his maiden world title. However, standing in his way is the formidable van Gerwen, who is seeking his fourth world championship crown.

A Meteoric Rise

Over the past 12 months, Littler’s life has been transformed. Once an unknown youth prospect, he is now a household name and one of the most celebrated young athletes in sport.

Despite his rapid ascent, Littler remains grounded, a remarkable feat for someone of his age and stature.

At just 17, Littler has shown extraordinary growth as a darts player, but how much has he evolved as a person? We posed this question to him, given his whirlwind year that has included accolades such as being named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Surprisingly, Littler believes he hasn’t changed at all.

“I don’t know if I have grown throughout the year,” he told SportsBoom.com. 

“I’ve been the same, and this is how I’ll always be.”

In a world where success often alters personalities, Littler’s message is clear: he remains true to himself.

“I don’t need to change for no one,” he stated firmly.

Pressure and Expectations

This time around, unlike last year, Littler enters the final as both the fans’ favourite and the bookmakers’ top pick to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy. 

But does this added expectation create extra pressure for the young star? Not at all, according to Littler.

“I don’t think me and Michael [van Gerwen] will be bothered who the favourite is and who's not,” he said.

As for his mindset heading into the final, Littler kept things simple and focused: “Like I said there, whoever wins seven sets will be happy.”

With his unwavering confidence, remarkable maturity, and ever-growing talent, Luke Littler is on the brink of making history. The question remains: can he seize the moment and lift his first world championship trophy?