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Darts-Littler set to become youngest world number one at age 18

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 16, 2025

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· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Darts-Littler set to become youngest world number one at age 18
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(Reuters) -Darts world champion Luke Littler is set to become the sport's youngest world number one at 18 after Sunday's 16-9 win over Danny Noppert in the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts in

Luke Littler Poised to Become Youngest World Number One in Darts

(Reuters) -Darts world champion Luke Littler is set to become the sport's youngest world number one at 18 after Sunday's 16-9 win over Danny Noppert in the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

England's Littler, who became the sport's youngest world champion in January when he was 17, will top the global rankings of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) regardless of the result of the final against Luke Humphries, the current world number one, set for later on Sunday.

"It has not even been two years that I've been on the tour and I'm already world number one. That is job done... but there is a bigger match tonight," Littler told Sky Sports.

Michael van Gerwen, who lost to Littler in this year's World Championship final, was previously the youngest world number one in the sport, having topped the PDC world rankings at age 24 in 2014.

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)

Key Takeaways

  • Luke Littler is set to become the youngest world number one in darts.
  • He secured this position after winning the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts.
  • Littler became the youngest world champion at 17.
  • He will top the PDC rankings regardless of the final outcome.
  • Michael van Gerwen was the previous youngest at 24.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a world champion in darts?
A world champion in darts is a player who has won the highest level of competition in the sport, typically recognized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) or similar governing bodies.
What is the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)?
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) is the main professional darts organization, responsible for organizing major tournaments and maintaining the official rankings of players.
What is a semi-final in sports?
A semi-final is a match or round in a tournament that determines which competitors will advance to the final. It typically features the last four participants.
What is a global ranking in sports?
A global ranking in sports is a system that ranks players or teams based on their performance in competitions worldwide, often used to determine seeding in tournaments.

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