Luke Littler to Face an Michael van Gerwen in Darts Final

Luke Littler delivered a dominant 6-1 victory over Stephen Bunting to reach the PDC World Championship final against Michael van Gerwen. The 17-year-old, last year’s runner-up, aims to become the tournament’s youngest-ever champion in Friday’s final at Alexandra Palace, London. Littler averaged a remarkable 105.48, his best of the tournament and showcased his prowess with 13 180s and three ton-plus finishes.

He stormed into a 4-0 lead against eighth seed Bunting, who briefly rallied in the fifth set but missed key double attempts in the next. Littler sealed the match with an electrifying 170 checkout. Reflecting on his performance, Luke Littler said, “It has been an amazing tournament so far. I can’t wait for the final.” Luke Littler’s incredible journey has seen him rise from 164th to fourth in the world rankings since January 2024, winning 10 titles and over £1m in prize money.

Named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, the 17-year-old has become a sensation in the darts world. His success has boosted darts’ popularity, doubling the number of junior academies and made him the UK’s most searched athlete in 2024. Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen also secured a 6-1 semi-final win, defeating Chris Dobey. Van Gerwen, the youngest champion at 24 in 2014 is chasing his fourth title and aims to end a six-year drought.

Despite a modest 98.84 average, the Dutchman delivered clutch moments including a 158 checkout and won four consecutive sets to close out the match. “I’m here with a mission,” Van Gerwen stated. “Even when things didn’t go my way, I produced good stuff at the right moments.” The final promises a thrilling showdown with Littler and Van Gerwen both in top form and eager to claim the ultimate prize in darts.