Luke Littler retains Grand Slam of Darts title to clinch world number one spot
Luke Littler emphatically retained the Grand Slam of Darts title with a 16-11 victory over rival Luke Humphries in the final in Wolverhampton on Sunday.
A momentous day for the 18-year-old saw him retain a major title for the first time and become the new world number one in the process.
Littler became only the fourth player to retain the coveted Eric Bristow Trophy, defeating 2023 champion Humphries to extend his remarkable unbeaten run at the Aldersley Leisure Village.
The teenage sensation triumphed on his Grand Slam debut 12 months ago and made it 14 wins from 14 after following up Sunday afternoon’s semi-final success against Danny Noppert by overcoming Humphries in the evening’s final.
The reigning World Champion, who has also won the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix in 2025, becomes the youngest ever PDC world number one, surpassing Van Gerwen – who achieved the feat as a 24-year-old back in 2014.
“It was always going to be tough,” reflected Littler, who averaged 100.6 and fired in fifteen 180s in the final.
“Luke played absolutely amazingly tonight. I said to him it was a weird, weird game but I’m glad to win.
“I was 3-2 down, 8-7 down, but I think that 160 checkout was the game-changer for myself.
“It’s been a long day. Danny played his part in a brilliant game earlier, but once I got over the line I knew I was the new world number one, and I was just focused on the final.”
Having reeled off seven consecutive legs to dispatch Noppert with a 102.6 average, Littler was forced to dig deep again to see off his great rival Humphries.
Humphries defied an ominous start from Littler to seize the early initiative, following up a ten-darter with clinical finishes of 100 and 94 to establish a 4-2 lead.
Littler responded with a three-leg burst of his own as Humphries faltered on the doubles, but the 30-year-old rediscovered his range with a timely 112 checkout to level at five apiece.
This appeared to spark Humphries back into life, as he followed up a 79 finish with successive 12-darters to move 8-6 up, only for Littler to come roaring back and turn the match on its head.
Having landed a sensational 167 checkout to restore parity at 8-8, Littler punished rare errors from Humphries with a roof-raising 160 checkout to move 11-9 ahead, which was preceded by a run of seven perfect darts in leg 19.
This proved to be the catalyst for the reigning champion – who won four of the next five legs to move to the cusp of victory – leaving Humphries staring down the barrel.
Humphries stopped the rot with a hold of throw in leg 26, but it only delayed the inevitable as Littler landed a 96 checkout to cap off another landmark triumph.
Humphries, who sees him 23-month spell as world number one brought to an end, admitted: “I’m really proud of what I’ve done this week.
“That’s three [major] finals on the trot that I’ve lost. It’s disappointing, but I’m playing well.
“I’m ready for the Worlds. I’m going to win the Worlds.
“We’re going to go to war at the World Championship – me and him [Littler] in the final.
“I said to Luke that he deserves all the success he gets. He’s been a massive advocate for darts and he deserves to be the world number one.
“He’s an incredible player, but I’m going to give it everything at the World Championship.”
Humphries booked his place in a second Grand Slam with a thrilling 16-13 victory over three-time champion Gerwyn Price, averaging 106.2 with a staggering 16 maximums to his name.
However, he now finds himself more than £150,000 adrift of Littler on the Order of Merit and is preparing to defend his title-winning prize money at both the Players Championship Finals and World Championship from two seasons ago.
Grand Slam of Darts 2025 Day Nine Results
Sunday November 16
Afternoon Session
Semi-Finals
Luke Humphries 16-13 Gerwyn Price
Luke Littler 16-9 Danny Noppert
Evening Session
Final
Luke Littler 16-11 Luke Humphries
