Luke Littler, the reigning Paddy Power World Champion and world number one, is setting his sights on back-to-back titles at Alexandra Palace this year.
Luke Littler’s third appearance at the World Championship marks two years since he burst onto the scene as darts’ greatest 16-year-old phenom.
Since then, the now 18-year-old has won a remarkable nine PDC Premier titles in his first two years on the professional circuit, claiming the world number one spot after his successful defence of the Grand Slam of Darts.
The World Champion has won six of the eight televised ranking titles on offer in 2025, a feat only previously achieved by Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
The Alexandra Palace stage is one Littler holds dear, finishing runner-up on debut before being crowned World Champion at just 17 years old.
In the Warrington wonderkid’s maiden campaign, he demolished former World Champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross in reaching the final.
His only loss at Ally Pally so far came against Luke Humphries in the 2023/24 final, where he led 4-2 before facing a late onslaught from his great rival.
“It was my first major tournament, and I got to the World Championship final,” details Littler. “That’s always going to live with me.
“That double two against Luke Humphries still haunts me to this day. I could have gone 5-2 up, but Luke went on to win the next four sets – that’s darts.
“Runner-up and winner - it’s not quite perfect! Next time around I did win, but now it’s a bigger and longer tournament and I’m trying to go back-to-back.”
Indeed, at last year’s World Championship, Littler entered the tournament as favourite, living up to expectations in sweeping past Van Gerwen 7-3 in the final to take home the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Only Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson have ever won consecutive PDC World Championship titles, and Littler is desperate to become the fourth to do so.
On top of being crowned World Champion in 2025, Littler has won the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and most recently the Players Championship Finals.
“My form says that I could beat anyone right now,” affirmed Littler.
“Ten years ago, Gary Anderson won back-to-back titles, and ten years later, I’m standing here as the current champion and I’m looking to go back-to-back myself.
“I’ve got that number one spot now and hopefully I can have another tournament to remember this time around.”
It is likely to take something remarkable to stop Littler on current form. The Warrington sensation has averaged 103.76 over his last 200 legs, more than three points clear of the next best, Humphries.
Despite a busy schedule ahead of this year’s festive extravaganza, the world number one insists all he needs is a few days of rest before he returns to where it all began.
“I’ll have a little practice,” admitted Littler. “We have a few days with exhibitions, a few days of rest, and then four or five days off before the 11th.
“Once I’m home for three or four days, then I’ll be ready for my first match.
“I’ve won the last three big majors and there’s only one more to go in the year.
“It was my first big tournament at the Worlds, and with the crowd behind me, it feels like home at Ally Pally.”