“Now I’m the best in the world”
Darts prodigy storms to the top
Updated 11/16/2025 – 9:36 p.mReading time: 1 min.
He was already the youngest world champion in darts. Now Luke Littler has taken over number one in the world rankings for the first time.
Even before the final of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton it is clear: Luke Littler will take over the top of the world rankings for the first time on Monday. The 18-year-old Englishman qualified for the final of the tournament on Saturday evening with a 16:9 win over Danny Noppert in the semi-finals and will thus replace his compatriot Luke Humphries.
In the evening in the final in Wolverhampton he also defeated Humphries himself 16:11 and thus underlined his supremacy. For Littler it was his second title at the Grand Slam of Darts and his eighth major title overall. Humphries won the tournament two years ago.
“I’ve only been here for two years – and now I’m the best in the world,” Littler said after the semi-final. At the age of 18 years, nine months and 26 days, he is the youngest player to top the PDC Order of Merit. The record was previously held by Michael van Gerwen at 24 years and 251 days.
Humphries had held first place in the rankings since his World Cup title in January 2024 and will now be replaced shortly before the 2026 World Cup. It is also clear that Littler will go into the tournament in London (December 11th to January 3rd) as the top seed. The two Englishmen can only meet in the final of the tournament, which has been expanded to 128 players.