Luke Littler to Take Break After Grueling Premier League Darts Schedule
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy known as “The Nuke,” has announced he will take a much-needed break from the sport following a demanding 2025 Premier League Darts season. The announcement came after his 11-8 loss to world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the Premier League final at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, 2025. Littler, who entered the night as the favorite to defend his 2024 title, expressed relief at the prospect of rest after a relentless 17-week schedule that saw him compete every Thursday across cities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, and Germany. “I’m glad to say it’s over. It’s been a tough 17 weeks,” Littler told reporters, adding, “I will have a little break now, but straight onto the World Series soon. I am happy to have a little break now.”
Littler’s 2025 Premier League campaign was nothing short of historic. He topped the league phase with a record-breaking 45 points, securing six nightly wins, more than any player since the current 16-week format was introduced in 2022. His victories included a standout performance in Sheffield on Night 16, where he averaged over 114 and hit 155 and 170 checkouts to defeat Humphries 6-3, cementing his dominance. Earlier in the season, Littler made history by becoming the first player to win five nightly titles in a single campaign, with a 6-4 victory over Michael van Gerwen in Birmingham on May 1. His campaign was marked by moments of brilliance, including a nine-darter against Van Gerwen in Cardiff, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Despite his success, the grueling schedule took its toll. The Premier League’s demanding format, coupled with Littler’s participation in other PDC events like the UK Open and Belgian Darts Open, raised concerns about burnout. Former world champion Dennis Priestley warned in March that Littler, despite his meteoric rise, needed to be cautious to avoid exhaustion. “He’s playing so often that might mean he doesn’t need to practice, but he does need to be careful he doesn’t burn out,” Priestley said. Littler himself acknowledged the strain, having previously taken short breaks, such as a week off before his Cardiff win, where he admitted, “I had a week off to chill.”[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/darts/luke-littler-darts-break-advice-34924967)[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2031636/Luke-Littler-darts)
Littler’s decision to step back comes as no surprise, given his packed 2025. Since bursting onto the scene at the 2024 World Darts Championship, where he became the youngest finalist at 16, Littler has barely paused. He claimed the 2025 World Championship title with a 7-3 win over Van Gerwen, becoming the youngest world champion at 17 years and 347 days. His rapid ascent has seen him amass over £1.3 million in prize money, trailing only Humphries on the PDC Order of Merit. Beyond darts, Littler’s star power led to high-profile moments, like a Hot Lap with F1 driver Lando Norris at Silverstone and visits to Manchester United’s training ground.
The break is strategically timed, as Littler prepares for the World Series and the World Cup of Darts in June, where he will team up with Humphries to represent England. Despite their rivalry, the two share a strong friendship, with Humphries calling Littler one of his “best mates.” Littler’s brief hiatus will allow him to recharge before these high-stakes events, ensuring he returns fresh to chase more records. As he told Sky Sports, “I’m going to go next year and try and break my own records next season.” For now, the darts world awaits the return of its brightest young star, whose brief pause is a testament to the physical and mental demands of his extraordinary rise.
