Luke Littler’s World No. 1 Hopes Dashed by James Wade’s Shock Victory
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old PDC World Champion, saw his golden opportunity to leapfrog Luke Humphries as the new world No. 1 slip away after a stunning 10-7 second-round defeat to James Wade at the 2025 Machineseeker European Darts Championship in Dortmund on October 25. The “Nuke,” who entered the £600,000 event as the No. 2 seed and just £707,500 behind Humphries (£1,901,000 to Littler’s £1,193,500 after R1), averaged a blistering 102.71 in his 6-1 opener over Raymond van Barneveld but couldn’t sustain the fire against the 42-year-old veteran Wade, who advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019. Littler’s exit, his first at a TV major since the 2024 UK Open, means he’ll need a Grand Slam of Darts miracle next month to claim the throne, as Humphries now holds a £827,500 lead.
The Match: Wade’s Clutch Edge Over Littler
The evening session at Westfalenhallen was electric, with Littler starting strong after a 6-1 demolition of van Barneveld (102.71 avg, 14 180s). Against Wade, the 2014 Masters champion, Littler led 3-2 with a 110 checkout but faltered after the interval, as Wade won four of the next five legs, including a 110 break for 6-4. Littler squared at 6-6 with a 12-dart leg and seven perfect darts (missing T17 for a nine-darter), but Wade held for 7-6, then broke with a 108 on D14 for 8-6. Littler clawed to 8-7, but Wade sealed 10-7 with a 96 on D20, averaging 98.5 to Littler’s 99.2 (5 180s each).
“I was gone at 6-4, but something clicked,” Wade said post-match. Littler, gracious: “James was brilliant—fair play, he earned it.” The loss earns Littler £10,000 (R2), totaling £13,000 from the event—insufficient to close the gap.
| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| James Wade | 98.5 | 5 | 108 break (D14); 96 decider | Winner (10-7) |
| Luke Littler | 99.2 | 5 | Near 9-darter (12 darts); 110 | Loser (7-10) |
No. 1 Hopes Blown: Grand Slam Now the Lifeline
Littler’s £13,000 haul lifts him to £1,194,500, £701,000 behind Humphries (£1,895,000). A title (£120k) would have hit £1,314,500—overtaking Humphries (£1,895,000 max if he wins). Now, the Grand Slam (October 6-12, £400k pool, £100k winner) is his shot: Title nets £100k, closing to £601,000; semis (£25k) to £676,000—still short unless Humphries falters. Humphries, no. 5 seed, faces Ratajski in R1; a QF exit (£20k) hands Littler the edge.
Littler’s 2025: Triple Crown (£1.5M+), Grand Prix (£120k), PC32 (£15k)—£1.67M earnings. “James was too good—Grand Slam’s next,” he said, unfazed by boos.
Fans on X under #LittlerWade: “Wade’s masterclass—Nuke’s No. 1 dream delayed!” (150k likes). Mardle: “James rolls back years—Luke’s still the future.”
Littler’s “shot blown” isn’t defeat—it’s delay. The Nuke’s reloaded; Grand Slam’s his throne.
