'I want to conquer everything in this sport': Luke Littler still hungry for more success after 'ticking off' World Matchplay

Luke Littler has made darting history only months after turning 18. After a sensational week at the 2025 World Matchplay, the teenager added the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy to his growing cabinet of silverware, completing the Triple Crown and smashing tournament records along the way. As the confetti settled in Blackpool, Littler made his intentions crystal clear to the media including DartsNews.

“I want to conquer everything in this sport, and I’ve ticked this one off tonight,” he said with a smile. “Like I said, I want to win one of everything, and we’ll see what happens from there.”

Still hungry despite claiming so-called Triple Crown

At just 18, Littler has already claimed the World Championship, Premier League, and now the World Matchplay – the three biggest events in the PDC calendar. It’s an achievement made even more remarkable by the fact that he’s done it all within the space of eight months.

“Yeah, it feels absolutely amazing,” he said. “It just goes to show how well I've been playing, how much effort has been put in. Triple Crown at 18, obviously the youngest winner and another major title. Like I said at the start of my career – win one of every major and I’ll be happy. So there’s not that many to go now.”

But for Littler, ticking off the majors isn’t the end goal – it’s only the beginning. “Everyone’s probably thinking, what do I do after I’ve won one of everything?” he joked. “But for myself, just build on it. Get a multiple of everything, get a triple of everything. But yeah, once I win one of everything, I won’t pack it in just yet.”

A Week of Hard Work and Mental Fortitude

From the first round to the final, Littler was tested – but he never flinched. He came from behind three times over the course of the week and dug deep when it mattered most. "I know myself, obviously from experience against Jermaine and Andrew, just to pick yourself back up and go out there and perform and get back into it. I know I’ve got it in me,” he said. “I said at 5-0, make it at least 6-4 or even 5-5 – and then from there, I was in the lead pretty much every time.”

“Yeah, definitely,” he added when asked if those experiences gave him confidence going into the final. “It gave me loads of confidence. Whether it's a final or not, people might have written me off because it is a final, but I just kept my cool and I stuck in there.”

Months without silverware but with more in his sights

This wasn’t just a title win. It was a rebuttal to anyone who questioned whether Littler could keep up his meteoric rise after a few months without silverware. "Yeah, it's nice to just know that it's been probably half an hour, 45 minutes since I've won a trophy,” he laughed. “But yeah, that was obviously on the back of my mind every tournament I went into which I didn’t win – whether that was a European Tour or a Pro Tour. But yeah, now I've picked up a trophy and hopefully pick up a few more towards the back end of the year.”

Handling perceived mind games

In the final, James Wade tried everything to disrupt Littler’s rhythm – slowing down the pace, playing the veteran’s game. But Littler’s composure never wavered.

“Yeah, obviously everyone knows James – he's not the quickest and he definitely won't hurry up for anyone,” he said. “But a few of the times I was shouting in the top-left corner – I don't know who it was – I think we went off for the third or fourth break and I said to James, ‘I can hear that now.’ And then obviously we spoke about it. He said he didn't have to do it, but I said to him, ‘I had to let you know – we both can hear it.’ But yeah, he definitely didn't put me off. That's what he said to me – ‘I'm not like that.’ And I just said to him, ‘I heard it as well – so just keep going.’”

Two major successes over Wade

Wade had enjoyed a fine tournament, but for the second time this year, he was beaten by Littler in a major final. “James was just another object in the way,” Littler said. “Sadly, leading up to it, I beat him in a major in the UK Open earlier this year. And yeah, just to get another win over him here in Blackpool, it means the world.”

“Yeah, he's definitely got a lot better since the UK Open,” Littler admitted. “He had it his way for the first five legs, and then I got myself back into it and went on to pick up the trophy. He said, ‘Well played, brilliant tournament, and well done to you,’” Littler added.

Littler credits his improved preparation as a key reason for his title run. “Yeah, it’s definitely helped me,” he said. “I don’t say I practise at home usually, but usually it’s not as long as what I’ve been doing leading up to this one. I think I just needed that practise, needed to keep that arm loose for longer at home, and obviously come here and do my best – and hopefully win the trophy.”

“It’s been good here in Blackpool. Picking up the trophy – it’s ended on a high,” he added. “But to be honest, I can’t wait to go home and back to normal reality.”

Emulating Taylor

Winning the Phil Taylor Trophy carries extra weight for Littler, who grew up idolising the 16-time Matchplay champion. “Yeah, it means everything,” he said. “Obviously he came here on his last Matchplay, he picked up the trophy. But yeah, to win it 16 times – Phil, he was the player he was. Just to get my name on the trophy – it means a lot.”

“Maybe in the next 16 years, I might come back every year and just win it,” he grinned.

Having now completed the Triple Crown which is a bone of contention on social media due to the Premier League being an exhibition tournament, Littler was asked to pick a favourite still out of the three. It wasn’t easy. “I think it has to be the Worlds,” he said. “But I’d say personal favourite… obviously the Premier League at 17 – winning that on debut, and all the doubters saying if I’m ready or not – that obviously meant the most. But picking up the Worlds, I think that’s the best.”