Luke Littler was an unknown a year ago. Now he’s making millions and taking darts into mainstream

Just a year ago, hardly anyone knew Luke Littler. Now, he’s not only a millionaire but a household name—Googled more often than King Charles or the British Prime Minister.

At just 17 years old, Littler still lives with his parents in northwest England. Yet he’s taken the darts world by storm, rising from relative obscurity to global fame with a charm and talent that have captivated fans far beyond the sport.

His breakout moment came last year around Christmas, when a then-16-year-old Littler shocked the world by reaching the final of the World Darts Championship—on his debut. With a maturity beyond his years and an unbothered swagger, he celebrated victories with kebabs and relaxed by playing video games.

Though he fell just short in the title match, Littler’s fearless run electrified audiences and brought darts back into the mainstream, reminiscent of its 1980s glory days. To many, it was more than just a Cinderella story—it was a cultural reset for the sport.

Nicknamed “Luke The Nuke,” the grounded teenager pocketed £200,000 ($255,000) from the tournament and catapulted into a new life: elite status on the pro darts circuit, high-profile sponsorships, and appearances on national talk shows. He’s even received personal messages from David Beckham and shared a matchday with Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

From pub backrooms to global headlines, Luke Littler is redefining what’s possible in darts—and he’s just getting started.