Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
A final for the ages as darts goes ‘stratospheric’ in 2025
JAMES NALTON writes how the game has evolved and predicts it will see a further boost in popularity this year, with talent such as Van Gerwen and Littler raising its profile
Luke Littler celebrates winning their semi-final match against Stephen Bunting (not pictured) on day fifteen of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London, January 2, 2025

THE 2025 PDC World Darts Championship came to an end last night with a showpiece final between three-time winner Michael van Gerwen, and the player dubbed the Wonder Boy, Luke Littler.

It’s the second time in as many years Littler has made it this far. He took the sporting world by storm in January 2024 when, aged 16, he made a sensational run to the final where he lost to Luke Humphries.

Littler went into the 2025 tournament having spent a full year in the limelight, not just in darts, but also in the wider media. During the past year, he built on that World Championship performance by winning the Premier League, the World Series and the Grand Slam of Darts.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, left, celebrates with his teammate Gerard Martin after scoring a goal during a friendly soccer match between FC Barcelona and Daegu FC at the Daegu Stadium in Daegu, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025
Men’s Football / 15 August 2025
15 August 2025

As the concept of league games being played overseas has come about once again, JAMES NALTON writes how a club is not a club without its links to location, community and fans

US Senator Bernie Sanders speaking during a rally to Save London's Public Transport, at TUC Congress House, London, August 31, 2022
Men’s football / 8 August 2025
8 August 2025

Vermont Green FC’s viral Bernie Sanders tifo was more than a joke. It was a sharp critique of US soccer’s top-heavy capitalism and a celebration of grassroots power, writes JAMES NALTON

Celtic fans in the stands wave flags of Palestine during the UEFA Champions League Group E match at Celtic Park, Glasgow, October 25, 2023
Men’s football / 1 August 2025
1 August 2025

Palestinian football has been decimated, its players killed, its stadiums reduced to rubble. Yet the global game has looked away silent in the face of genocide, and will remain a stain on the sport, writes JAMES NALTON

Newcastle United's Alexander Isak,  March 2, 2025
Men’s Football / 25 July 2025
25 July 2025

The Red’s title defence is built on clever recruitment, long-term planning, and data-led strategy. In contrast, the Magpies are falling behind — and blaming the wrong things, writes JAMES NALTON

Similar stories
Luke Littler (left) with the trophy after victory as runner
Darts / 31 December 2024
31 December 2024
17-year-old withstands pressure to secure victory and spot in tomorrow’s quarter-final
Kevin Doets celebrates winning his second round match agains
Darts / 20 December 2024
20 December 2024
JAMES NALTON writes about the ongoing PDC World Darts Championship