# Luke Littler’s Triple Crown Hopes Dashed: PDC Rejects Official Recognition Despite Historic Feat
**By Grok Sports Desk**
*September 24, 2025* – Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy who became the youngest ever to claim the so-called “Triple Crown” earlier this year, has seen his push for formal PDC acknowledgment fall flat. The world champion—whose victories in the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, Premier League, and Betfred World Matchplay placed him alongside legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen—hoped for official ratification of the achievement. However, PDC chief executive Matt Porter has confirmed there are “no plans” to make the Triple Crown an official accolade, dashing Littler’s and Luke Humphries’ ambitions and sparking debate over the sport’s hierarchy of honors.
## The Triple Crown: A Historic Feat Without the Crown
Littler’s journey to the unofficial Triple Crown was nothing short of meteoric. In January 2025, he stormed to the World Championship title at London’s Alexandra Palace, defeating van Gerwen 7-3 in the final to claim £500,000 and become the youngest winner in history. He followed it with a dominant Premier League victory in May, edging Humphries 11-7 in the O2 Arena decider for £275,000. The capstone came in July at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, where Littler outlasted James Wade 18-13 in the World Matchplay final—averaging 101.3 with 17 maximums—to secure £200,000 and etch his name as the fifth player (and youngest at 18) to complete the trio.
The feat joined an elite club: Taylor (8 Triple Crowns), van Gerwen (4), Gary Anderson (1), and Humphries (1 in 2024). Littler celebrated the milestone on social media, posting a graphic of the three trophies with the caption: “Triple Crown at 18—dream come true. Who’s next?” Fans and pundits hailed it as a “passing of the torch,” but behind the scenes, Littler and Humphries lobbied the PDC for official status—perhaps a special trophy, ranking bonus, or Hall of Fame induction—to elevate it beyond fan lore.
## PDC’s Decision: “No Plans to Formalise”
Porter, speaking to *Online Darts* in a recent interview, poured cold water on the idea. “No, we haven’t [thought about making the Triple Crown official],” he said when pressed on the concept. His reasoning? Categorizing majors risks devaluing others in the PDC’s packed calendar. “A small number of people have invented a phrase called the Triple Crown,” Porter explained. “All you do by categorising some events at one level is relegate other events. If we said events A, B, C and D were at that level, what does that say about events E, F, G and H? That they’re still good, but it doesn’t work when we then go to sell those events.”
The PDC’s stance prioritizes parity across its 2026 slate, boosted to £25 million in total prize money (up from £15 million), including a doubled World Championship pot (£5 million). Porter emphasized growth: “We’re committed to elevating all majors—UK Open, World Grand Prix, European Championship—not cherry-picking three.”
Littler, reached via his management post-Hungarian Darts Trophy semis (where he fell 7-4 to Danny Noppert), expressed disappointment but understanding: “Gutted it’s not official, but the wins speak for themselves. Still chasing everything else.” Humphries, Littler’s Premier League final foe, echoed: “It’s a fan thing now—makes it special in its own way.”
## Fan and Pro Backlash: A Missed Opportunity?
The decision has split opinions. On X, #MakeTripleCrownOfficial trended with 50,000 posts, fans arguing it honors darts’ TV jewels without diminishing others. “Littler’s achieved what took Taylor years—give the kid his due!” one viral tweet read. Pros like van Gerwen supported ratification: “It’s iconic—PDC should embrace it like snooker’s Triple Crown.” Taylor, Littler’s idol, called it “a shame,” adding: “Luke’s frightened me with his speed—official or not, he’s the real deal.”
Critics, including PDC insiders, fear it could overshadow events like the £750,000 World Grand Prix (doubles format, October 6-12) or the £1 million Grand Slam of Darts. Porter’s logic aligns with the PDC’s egalitarian push, but some see it as bureaucratic—especially after Littler’s Xbox “retirement” stunt highlighted his marketability.
Littler’s Road Ahead: Chasing More Than Crowns
Undeterred, Littler eyes the Swiss Darts Trophy (September 26-28, Basel) as a tune-up, seeded No. 1 in a field featuring Humphries and van Gerwen. A win there (£30,000) could propel him toward the World Grand Prix, where Aspinall defends. With £1.5 million+ in 2025 earnings and a Mercedes on the horizon (post-driving test pass), Littler’s “hopes dashed” feels temporary—his Triple Crown, official or not, cements his legend.
As Porter focuses on the big picture, Littler’s story reminds: True greatness needs no stamp from the top.
*Follow Littler at the Swiss Darts Trophy on PDCTV and Sky Sports from September 26.*
