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Gifts from The Morning Star
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
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