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Luke Littler is back and targeting a first PDC World Darts Championship after a breathtaking season.
‘The Nuke’ was upset by Luke Humphries in the final of the 2024 edition, sparking a blossoming rivalry between the pair, which could dominate the sport for years to come.
The 17-year-old is ranked fourth in the world entering the championship and filled with confidence.
Victories in the Grand Slam of Darts, the Premier League and World Series Finals have been some of the highlights from a glittering year as Littler mania has taken the sport by storm.
A sluggish start was soon banished after a record-breaking final set, including a stunning 140.91 average, to dispatch Ryan Meikle and move into the third round – here’s everything you need to know about Littler’s next match in this year’s championship and who he might meet further down the line:
When is Littler playing and what’s his route to the 2025 final?
Littler dispatched Ryan Meikle in his first match of the tournament in the second round.
He is now due to face Ian White in the third round, with the match due to take place on Saturday, 28 December.
The match is third in the order of play, after Chris Dobey v Josh Rock and Michael Van Gerwen v Brendan Dolan, so we can expect Littler to be on stage sometime after 9pm GMT, with a start time estimated for 9:15pm GMT.
Should he progress, then round four will bring the winner of Ryan Joyce v Ryan Searle.
A quarter-final against Natham Aspinall is then on the cards before defending world champion Luke Humphries could stand in his way should he progress to the semi-finals. The final could see Littler face former world champion Michael Van Gerwen.
How can I watch?
You can watch the PDC Paddy Power World Darts Championship 2024/25 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel from 15 December, with a live stream on Sky Go and Now TV.
World Darts Championship Format
Final: Best of 13 sets
Semi-Final: Best of 11 sets
Quarter-Final: Best of nine sets
Fourth Round: Best of seven sets
Third Round: Best of seven sets
Second Round: Best of five sets
First Round: Best of five sets
Odds
Luke Littler 6/4
Luke Humphries 3/1
Michael van Gerwen 11/2
Gerwyn Price 16/1
Stephen Bunting 22/1
Chris Dobey 25/1
World Darts Championship prize money
Winner: £500,000
Runner-Up: £200,000
Semi-Final: £100,000
Quarter-Final: £50,000
Fourth Round: £35,000
Third Round: £25,000
Second Round: £15,000
First Round: £7,500
Total: £2,500,000
