How Luke Littler Can Become World No. 1 This Weekend at the European Championship
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old PDC World Champion, is one £120,000 win away from dethroning Luke Humphries as darts’ world No. 1, with a victory at the 2025 Machineseeker European Darts Championship in Dortmund (October 23-26) potentially clinching the top spot before the Grand Slam of Darts. Littler sits second on the PDC Order of Merit with £1,181,500, trailing Humphries (£1,895,000) by £713,500—a gap he can bridge with the event’s £600,000 prize pool. As the No. 2 seed, Littler’s path starts with Raymond van Barneveld in Round 1, but he’ll need to navigate the “German boo-boys” he’s boycotted for months to surpass Humphries, who defends £120,000 from his 2023 win. Here’s exactly what Littler must do to seize the throne.
The Gap and Stakes
The Order of Merit is a two-year rolling total of ranking prize money (excluding Premier League and World Series). Humphries’ lead is narrowest since April, but he defends £120,000 from 2023—any deep run by Littler tips the scales.
| 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 |
– **To Win No. 1**: Littler needs **£180,000+** (title: £120,000; runner-up: £60,000). Semis (£40,000) keeps it close for Grand Slam (£100,000 winner).
– **Humphries’ Defense**: Top 4 (£40,000) or better keeps his lead; QF (£20,000) or earlier hands Littler the edge.
Littler’s Path: Conquer van Barneveld and the Boos
Littler’s fixed-seed draw (No. 2) is favorable but tests his mental grit against the Dortmund crowd’s passion (and boos he’s called “toxic”).
– **R1 (Oct 23, 7pm CEST)**: vs. Raymond van Barneveld (No. 31). Littler’s 1-0 H2H (2023 Youth Worlds 6-4); Barney’s 2007 Worlds grit is his only threat. Win: £6,000.
– **R2 (Oct 24)**: vs. Ryan Joyce/Luke Woodhouse. Joyce’s 2025 form (PCOM No. 34) is winnable. Win: £10,000.
– **QF (Oct 25)**: vs. Josh Rock/Gian van Veen. Rock’s rise or van Veen’s Youth grit—Littler’s 102+ averages dominate. Win: £20,000.
– **SF (Oct 25)**: vs. Gerwyn Price/Daryl Gurney. Price’s mind games or Gurney’s resilience—Littler’s 75% doubles shine. Win: £40,000.
– **Final (Oct 26)**: vs. Nathan Aspinall/Rob Cross or Humphries. Aspinall’s Euro Tour lead (£135k) or Humphries’ No. 1 grit—Littler’s unbeaten finals streak (3-0 in 2025) prevails. Win: £120,000.
**To Secure No. 1**: Title (£120k) + any Humphries QF or earlier (£20k or less) = Littler surpasses (£1,301,500 > £1,915,000 max for Humphries). Semis (£40k) + Humphries QF = close (£1,221,500 vs. £1,915,000), but Grand Slam (£100k title) clinches.
The Boo-Boys Challenge: Fuel or Fire?
Littler’s German grudge—boos in Berlin (Premier League 2025 loss to Dobey) and Munich (semifinal defeat to van Veen)—prompted his boycott of 8 Hildesheim ProTours (£1M+ prizes). “Toxic crowds—no atmosphere,” he said. Dortmund’s passionate fans could test him, but Littler’s vowed: “Fans are fans—I’ll let my darts talk.” Schindler’s “rent-free” jab got a meme clapback; the boos? His edge.
Littler’s 2025: Triple Crown (£1.5M+), Grand Prix (£120k), PC32 (£15k)—£1.67M earnings, £2.5M+ net worth. PCOM No. 34 (£26,500) locks Minehead (£600k, November 21-23). “No. 1’s the goal—Dortmund’s the step,” he said.
Prediction: Littler Conquers to Claim No. 1
Littler’s 102+ grit and unbeaten finals streak make him the pick to win 11-8 over Aspinall in the final, surpassing Humphries. The German “hero” and “boo-boys” await—the Nuke’s ready to roar. No. 1? His weekend’s conquest.
