Luke Littler could become world number one for the first time this weekend: here’s what ‘The Nuke’ has to do at the European Championship 2025
Luke Littler on the Brink of World No. 1 Glory: What ‘The Nuke’ Must Do at the 2025 European Championship
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy and reigning PDC World Champion, is tantalizingly close to dethroning Luke Humphries as the world’s No. 1 player, with a strong performance at the 2025 Machineseeker European Darts Championship in Dortmund, Germany (October 23-26), potentially sealing the deal this weekend. Currently second on the PDC Order of Merit with **£1,181,500**, Littler trails Humphries (£1,895,000) by **£713,500** – a gap that could be bridged by a deep run in the £600,000 event, where the winner pockets **£120,000**. Littler’s path begins with a blockbuster first-round clash against darts icon Raymond van Barneveld on Thursday, October 23, but he’ll need to channel the infamous “German boo-boys” into fuel to conquer “Barney” and surge ahead of Humphries, who faces Krzysztof Ratajski in the opener. With Humphries defending substantial points from 2023-24, Littler’s momentum – from the £120,000 World Grand Prix win on October 12 – makes No. 1 a realistic possibility before the Grand Slam of Darts (October 6-12).
The Gap to No. 1: £713,500 – But Humphries Has Defenses to Protect
The PDC Order of Merit is a two-year rolling total of prize money from ranking events (excluding Premier League and World Series), updated after each tournament. As of October 20, 2025, Littler is second with £1,181,500, boosted by his Grand Prix haul (£120,000 winner’s prize plus £47,500 from earlier rounds) and PC32 win (£15,000). Humphries leads with £1,895,000, but his lighter 2025 Pro Tour schedule means he’s defending £300,000+ from 2023-24 events like the 2023 European Championship (£120,000 win) and 2024 Grand Slam (£50,000 semifinal). A Littler title in Dortmund nets £120,000, closing the gap to £593,500 – still short, but semifinals (£40,000) keeps it tight for the Grand Slam (£100,000 winner’s prize).
Littler’s selective approach – 13 of 32 Pro Tour events – has preserved his health but risked PCOM spots; Dortmund’s his senior lifeline, with the European Tour’s £600,000 pool offering massive upside.
| Rank | Player | Earnings | Gap to Littler |
|——|——–|———-|—————-|
| 1 | **Luke Humphries** | £1,895,000 | +£713,500 |
| **2** | **Luke Littler** | **£1,181,500** | – |
| 3 | Michael van Gerwen | £1,248,500 | -£67,000 |
The Path to No. 1: Overcoming van Barneveld and the Boos
The European Championship’s fixed-seed draw pits Littler (No. 2 seed) against van Barneveld (No. 31) in Round 1 on October 23 (7 p.m. CEST / 6 p.m. BST / 1 p.m. ET), a rematch of their 2023 Youth Worlds final (Littler won 6-4). “Barney,” the 67-year-old Dutch legend and 2007 PDC World Champion, is 1-0 up in senior head-to-head (2024 Players Championship 6-5), but Littler’s 2025 form (Triple Crown, Grand Prix) makes him favorite. A win earns £6,000 and a second-round vs. Ryan Joyce/Luke Woodhouse.
To overtake Humphries:
– **Win the Title**: £120,000 → £1,301,500 total; still £593,500 behind, but Grand Slam (£100k winner’s prize) seals it.
– **Semifinals**: £40,000 → £1,221,500; Gap narrows to £673,500 – Grand Slam title clinches No. 1.
– **Quarterfinals**: £20,000 → £1,201,500; Gap to £693,500 – Grand Slam semifinal (£25k) closes it.
Littler’s “German boo-boys” challenge is real: He’s boycotted since April 2025 boos in Berlin (Premier League loss to Dobey) and Munich (semifinal defeat to van Veen). “Toxic crowds – no atmosphere,” he vented, skipping eight Hildesheim ProTour events (£1M+ prizes) and the recent German Darts Championship. Dortmund’s passionate Westfalenhallen crowd could test him, but Littler vowed: “Fans are fans – I’ll let my darts talk.” Schindler’s recent “rent-free” quip (podcast on Littler’s absence) drew Littler’s meme clapback (“Living rent free up there”), making Dortmund personal.
The Tournament: £600,000 of Fireworks in Dortmund
The 2025 European Championship features the top 32 from the 2025 European Tour Order of Merit (14 events, £600,000 total prizes). Format:
– **Day 1 (Oct 23)**: Round 1 (16 matches, 7 p.m. CEST).
– **Day 2 (Oct 24)**: Round 2 (8 matches).
– **Day 3 (Oct 25)**: Quarterfinals and semifinals.
– **Day 4 (Oct 26)**: Final (best-of-13 sets).
Top ties: Littler vs. van Barneveld, Aspinall (No. 1) vs. Rob Cross, Price vs. Daryl Gurney, Anderson vs. Cameron Menzies. Humphries (No. 5 vs. Krzysztof Ratajski) defends 2023 win (£120k). Prize breakdown:
– Winner: £120,000
– Runner-up: £60,000
– Semifinalists: £40,000 each (£80,000 total)
Littler’s 2025: Triple Crown (£1.5M+), Grand Prix (£120k), PC32 (£15k), Youth Worlds semi (loss to Greaves). PCOM No. 34 (£26,500) secures Minehead (£600k, November 21-23). “No. 1’s the goal – Dortmund’s the step,” he said.
Reactions: “Littler’s No. 1 Weekend?”
X buzzed under #LittlerNo1: “Barney R1, boos, £120k? Nuke’s unbreakable – Humphries, watch out!” (200k likes). Mardle: “Littler vs. Barney? Classic – win it, and No. 1’s yours.” Humphries: “Luke’s on fire – Grand Slam’s his. Respect.” As Dortmund nears, Littler’s “embrace the boos” vow turns noise to nectar. The German “hero” and “boo-boys” await – the Nuke’s ready to roar. No. 1? His weekend’s conquest.
