Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation, is on a mission to defend his 2024 Premier League Darts title at the 2025 Finals Night on May 29 at London’s O2, where he faces Gerwyn Price in the semi-final. Victory would place him in an exclusive club of back-to-back winners, alongside Phil Taylor (2005-2008) and Michael van Gerwen (2016-2019, 2022-2023). Littler, who won the 2024 title with an 11-7 victory over Luke Humphries, including a nine-darter, expressed his ambition, stating, “If I can go back to back, it’d mean the world,” emphasizing the significance of defending his first major TV title.
Littler’s 2025 Premier League Campaign
Littler dominated the 2025 league phase, topping the table with a record 45 points, surpassing Jonny Clayton’s 2022 mark of 40. He secured a historic six nightly wins, including a record fifth in Birmingham (6-4 over Michael van Gerwen) and a sixth in Sheffield (6-3 over Humphries), averaging 114.37 against Stephen Bunting. His campaign featured a nine-darter in Cardiff, his third televised perfect leg, and a 112.5 average against van Gerwen. Littler’s strategic advantage lies in playing the first semi-final against Price, allowing a longer rest before the potential final, a tactic that worked in 2024.
The Back-to-Back Challenge and Price’s Threat
Only Taylor (four consecutive titles, 2005-08) and van Gerwen (six titles, including 2016-19 and 2022-23) have achieved back-to-back Premier League titles, setting a formidable benchmark. Littler, the youngest champion at 2024, sees the O2 as a chance to cement his legacy, noting, “Finishing top, the semi-final comes with it… Last year it made a big difference.”
Gerwyn Price, the 2021 world champion, poses a significant challenge with a 7-3 head-to-head edge over Littler in 2025, including a 6-3 Nottingham final win. Price, who won three nightly events (Dublin, Nottingham, Liverpool), averaged 104.43 in Liverpool and declared, “When I’m on my game, I am the best in the world.” His fish and chip shop work keeps him mentally sharp, despite Littler’s recent Manchester victory over him.
Sentiment and Outlook
X posts reflect Littler’s popularity and pressure, with @OfficialPDC celebrating his 2024 “fairytale” win and @dg17ram noting criticism despite his 10 titles and £1.8M earnings. @BBCSport highlighted his reluctance to touch the trophy pre-finals, signaling focus. Littler’s modest Mercedes A-Class purchase aligns with his grounded approach, akin to Gauff’s humility.
Conclusion
Luke Littler is poised to join Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen as a back-to-back Premier League champion, with a record 45-point 2025 campaign and six nightly wins, including a 114.37 average in Sheffield. His semi-final against Gerwyn Price, who holds a 7-3 head-to-head edge, is a critical test, with Price’s chip shop prep fueling his confidence. Littler’s first semi-final slot and parallels to Gauff’s French Open focus position him as a favorite, but Price’s experience looms large. A win would cement Littler’s place among darts’ elite.
