Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation, has been tipped for a “takeover” of the sport by former world champion Gerwyn Price, who praised the teenager’s dominance after Littler’s commanding 8-3 victory over Michael Smith at the Australian Darts Masters on August 10, 2025. Price’s warning, reported by talkSPORT, underscores Littler’s meteoric rise as he continues to reshape darts, with fans and pundits seeing him as the sport’s future following his recent World Series successes.
Price’s Warning and Littler’s Form
Following Littler’s Australian triumph, where he averaged 103.24 and hit a nine-darter en route to the final, Price told talkSPORT, “Luke’s going to take over darts if he keeps this up. He’s the real deal, and we’re all chasing him now” (talkSPORT, August 24, 2025) (post:0). Littler’s back-to-back World Series titles, including an 8-4 win over Luke Humphries in the New Zealand Masters on August 16, showcased his relentless scoring power and clinical finishing. His 115.02 average in the New Zealand final set a World Series record, with 11 180s and a 64% doubles success rate (BBC Sport, August 16, 2025). Price, a 2021 world champion, acknowledged Littler’s ability to dominate top players, noting, “He’s making it look easy.”
Littler’s Meteoric Rise
Littler’s 2025 has been historic, with the PDC World Championship title in January, a Premier League crown, and a World Matchplay victory, completing the Triple Crown at 18. His Australian and New Zealand wins added to his haul, with £20,000 earned in Sydney alone. Littler’s youth and charisma, likened to Coco Gauff’s tennis journey, have sparked “Littlermania,” with 3.7 million viewers watching his 2024 World Championship final (Wikipedia). His ability to handle pressure, evident in his 6-2 quarterfinal win over Mike de Decker in New Zealand, has drawn praise from peers like Michael van Gerwen, who said, “His scoring power is immense” (Sky Sports, August 18, 2025).
Future Implications
Price’s “takeover” comment reflects concerns about Littler’s potential to dominate darts, much like Phil Taylor’s 16 world titles. With a tough European Tour event in Antwerp next, Littler’s confidence is soaring: “I just want to win everything” (BBC Sport, August 16, 2025). Fans on X echoed Price’s sentiment, with one post stating, “Littler’s running darts already! Price is right” (@DartsFanatic, August 24, 2025). As Littler prepares for the 2025 Grand Prix, his blend of talent and mental toughness positions him to redefine the sport, challenging veterans like Price and van Gerwen.
