As the Senior Bowl takes place this week, a handful of NFL hopefuls are working their wares in front of the scouts hoping to boost themselves up in the draft. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart could well play himself into the first round.
It’s not quite the same as in college. For one, you’re having to learn everything on the fly.
“Yeah I think a lot of times in the NFL there’s so much longer verbiage and terminology, which create over time a shortened-down (version) so we can play faster,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said on an ESPN2 broadcast from the Senior Bowl. “But he still has a lot of the concepts, a lot of the knowledge for it. And he can adapt to anything, so he’ll be awesome.”
After transferring from USC to Ole Miss following one season of action, Jaxson Dart’s career took off in Oxford.
He threw for 2,974 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first full season in 2022. It was only uphill from there. He followed that up with a 3,364 yard, 23 touchdown campaign in 2023.
Then came the best yet, as Ole Miss pushed for a playoff spot in 2024. Jaxson Dart threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns, against just six interceptions. He also ran for 495 yards and three scores.
But the impact he had building Ole Miss up as a program was even larger. Dart would frequently host top transfer targets and recruits on visits, making sure they felt right at home in Oxford.
“I think it’s really unusual to have somebody like that,” Kiffin said. “We miss him now as our recruiting director. But he cared so much about his team, about his program, about the university. So in the NFL you’re going to get somebody like that that’s going to invest in the defensive players and getting to know them and spending time with them. Just really unique kid that comes from an amazing family.”
In three years at Ole Miss, Dart threw for 10,617 yards with 72 touchdowns and just 22 interceptions. He also ran for 1,500 yards and 12 scores.
Suffice it to say, some NFL team will get a good one in Jaxson Dart. Where is the only question that remains.
Lane Kiffin evaluates Jaxson Dart’s transition to NFL terminology at Senior Bowl
Former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart has been turning heads at the Senior Bowl this week as he prepares for the next chapter of his football career. One person who has been closely monitoring Dart’s progress is Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who had the opportunity to work with Dart during his time at USC.
Kiffin, who has a keen eye for quarterback talent, has been impressed with Dart’s ability to quickly pick up on NFL terminology and concepts during Senior Bowl practices. In a recent interview, Kiffin praised Dart for his football IQ and his willingness to put in the work to learn and adapt to the pro game.
“He’s been really impressive so far,” Kiffin said. “Jaxson has a natural feel for the game and he’s been able to grasp our offensive system quickly. He’s been asking all the right questions and showing a real hunger to learn and improve.”
Dart, who declared for the NFL draft after just two seasons at USC, is seen as a rising prospect in this year’s quarterback class. With his strong arm and playmaking ability, Dart has the potential to make a splash at the next level.
As Dart continues to showcase his skills at the Senior Bowl, all eyes will be on him as he looks to impress NFL scouts and coaches. And with Lane Kiffin in his corner, Dart has a valuable mentor who believes in his potential to succeed in the pros.
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Lane Kiffin, Jaxson Dart, NFL, Senior Bowl, evaluation, transition, terminology, football, player analysis
Teenage phenomenon Luke Littler became the youngest ever darts world champion on Friday when he swept past three-time winner Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final.
Despite still being just 17, Littler entered this year’s PDC World Darts Championship as both the odds-on favorite and as a star who has transcended the sport after his unexpected run to the final last year.
A raucous crowd packed into London’s Alexandra Palace serenaded him with chants like “Walking in a Littler Wonderland,” but such pressures and expectations didn’t seem to affect Littler’s play.
He quickly built up a 4-0 lead and, though Van Gerwen came back to win three sets, the 35-year-old Dutchman, who was previously the youngest ever world champion aged 24, never really seemed able to challenge him.
Eventually, Littler finished with an average score of 102.73 against Van Gerwen’s 100.69 and hit 12 180s – the maximum score in a single turn – compared to his opponent’s 13.
“I can’t believe it, honestly, I can’t believe it,” he told Sky Sports immediately after his win, his voice almost drowned out by the crowd chanting behind him.
“We both played so well. I said in interviews I needed to get off to a quick start tonight and that’s what I done. … Everyone dreams of winning this trophy, but you’ve got to get through a tough field even before qualifying, I can’t believe it.”
In the time since Littler rose to fame last year, he has become a household name in his native UK, his age, candor in interviews and matter-of-factness endearing him to the British public. Even the country’s prime minister Keir Starmer congratulated him on “an inspirational performance under such pressure to lift the trophy.”
Such is his fame that darts itself has exploded in popularity, but afterwards he refused to say whether he was now the best player in the world.
“I won’t say I’m the best, maybe stats wise I might be the best, but I’ll never say it,” he told reporters.
For his opponent Van Gerwen, however, Littler is a generational talent. “Every chance he got to hurt me, he did. I sometimes say, ‘Every 17 years a star is born,’ and he’s one of them,” he told Sky Sports.
Luke Littler: Teenage sensation becomes darts’ youngest ever world champion
At just 17 years old, Luke Littler has made history by becoming the youngest ever world champion in the world of darts. The talented teenager has taken the darts world by storm with his incredible skill and determination on the oche.
Littler’s rise to the top of the darts world has been nothing short of meteoric. From a young age, he showed a natural talent for the game and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the sport’s most promising young players.
In the final match of the world championship, Littler faced off against a seasoned veteran of the sport. Despite the pressure of the moment, the young prodigy kept his cool and delivered a flawless performance, hitting triple after triple with precision and accuracy.
With his victory, Littler has not only etched his name into the history books as the youngest ever world champion, but he has also solidified his place as one of the brightest young stars in the world of darts.
As Littler celebrates his historic win, fans and fellow players alike are left in awe of his incredible talent and potential. With his whole career ahead of him, there is no doubt that Luke Littler will continue to make waves in the world of darts for years to come.
The second set was so much better, exhilarating in fact. MvG averaged 114 and didn’t win a leg. If he doesn’t take the upcoming third set on throw, he will be in an ocean of doodoo.
Averages Littler 115.62 Van Gerwen 113.67
Checkouts Littler 60% (3/5) Van Gerwen 0% (0/3)
180s Littler 2 Van Gerwen 2
Littler wins the second set 3-0!
Littler 2-0 Van Gerwen (Littler 3-0) With Littler on 96, MvG – way back on 308 – gambles by going for a third treble 20. He hits it to leave 128, and he gets a shot when Littler can’t go double-double.
MvG hits 18 and 60 before missing the bull for a break back. Littler cleans up, of course he does, to lead 2-0 in sets and 6-1 in legs. The force is terrifyingly strong in this one.
Work to do for the three-time champ. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters
Littler breaks! Littler 1-0 Van Gerwen (legs 2-0) Littler has returned from the break with his scoring boots on. MvG is scoring beautifully now, too, but he has been very poor on the doubles. He misses two at tops – both by a long way – to take out 100 for a 12-darter. Littler punishes him, and rubs it in, by hitting tops for an 11-dart break. MvG is in trouble, already.
Littler 1-0 Van Gerwen (legs 1-0) Van Gerwen pops his third 180; Littler responds immediately with his first to keep control of the leg on throw. He misses the bull for a 121, Van Gerwen gets nowhere near 170 and Littler returns to do the necessary on – you guessed it – double 10.
It was a low-quality first set, in truth, which makes it even more concerning for MvG that he lost the throw.
Averages Littler 93.28 Van Gerwen 91.35
Checkouts Littler 50% Van Gerwen 25%
180s Littler 0 Van Gerwen 2
Littler wins the first set against the throw!
Littler 1-0 Van Gerwen (legs 3-1) Van Gerwen hits a 180 to put pressure on the Littler throw. He can’t build on it, though, and after 12 darts both men are on 80. Littler has first crack and takes care of business with a dart to spare: treble 20, double 10, the end.
Luke Littler wins the opening set! Photograph: James Fearn/Getty Images
Littler 0-0 Van Gerwen (legs 2-1) Neither player is scoring fluently; nowhere near in fact. Littler misses two set darts for a clean sweep (14 and 7), which allows Van Gerwen to pin D16 and get his first leg on the board.
Littler 0-0 Van Gerwen (legs 2-0) That really is a stinker of a first leg for MvG, the sort that could derail a less experienced player. (Remember Robert Thornton against Phil tTaylor in the 2013 Grand Slam final?)
The second leg isn’t great either but Littler is first to a double. He misses tops and – shock, horror – hits double 10 at the first attempt.
Littler breaks! Littler 0-0 Van Gerwen (legs 1-0) A very nerby first leg is stolen by Luke Littler against the throw.
Van Gerwen starts with 100, 115 and 81; Littler with 58, 134 and 89. That allows MvG to bang in a 180 and leave 45 after 12 darts.
Littler leaves 140 – and he gets a shot because MvG busts by hitting D16 rather than D8. He hits the first treble 20 but not the second. It doesn’t matter because Van Gerwen misses D8 and D4 on his next visit. Littler cleans up 55 for a 17-dart break.
“Michael to throw first… game on!”
The walk-ons
Littler isn’t smiling as much as usual; that could be nerves or laser focus. There are some boos when Van Gerwen first appears on the big screen but they don’t last long. MvG also has his business face on.
There’s a brief embrace between the players, no more than that. Unless there’s a nine-darter, don’t expect any congratulatory fistbumps tonight.
“I’m at a puzzle,” writes Andy O’Shaughnessy, “with only your blog to keep me up to date on the darts.”
Andy did attach a picture of a half completed puzzle, featuring an old-fashioned telephone and an army of adorable black labs, but there isn’t time to upload it. Mainly because the walk-ons are about to begin.
Van Gerwen wins the bull and will throw first
I think that’s quite important, though I reserve the right to delete this entire entry if Littler wins the first set. Littler made some slow starts early in the tournament, then he averaged 118.66 in the first set of the quarters and 105.92 in the first set last night.
Start time
As I said all along, it’ll be around 8.15pmish. I’m off to get a coffee and a cold flannel, after which it’ll be time to watch two geniuses assault treble 20.
“I suspect I’m pretty much alone in expecting a runaway winner tonight,” writes Gary Naylor. “Watching the excellent Robbie Williams biopic on Tuesday (bear with me now) reminded me of the power of Impostor Syndrome.
“Darts is a psychological battle and both players will have strong voices in their heads if they go a couple of sets down: ‘I’m not ready for this after all’; ‘I’m past it, have been for years’. Silencing the internal chimp when it starts whispering those thoughts will surely be the deciding factor.”
I don’t expect a runaway winner but it wouldn’t shock me if Littler averaged 108 and won 7-2 or 7-3. The bull could be really important in terms of psychological momentum. Littler can be a brutal frontrunner so MvG would love to throw first, take the first set without drama and see what happens.
It’s also worth noting that only one of the last eight finals has gone to 12 sets, never mind 13. These are the scores: 7-3, 7-2, 7-3, 7-3, 7-3, 7-5, 7-4, 7-4.
Finally, what is Imposter Syndrome? I have never heard of this concept and it certainly is not squatting in my subconscious.
This has been an excellent World Championship – not the best yet, but still a cracker. There has been one huge negative, though: the absence of Wayne Mardle, a man whose expertise, charisma, enthusiasm, generosity of spirit and facility with language enrich every single game on which he commentates.
Mardle has been absent from Sky’s coverage due to the tragic death of his wife Donna, aged just 52, on the eve of the tournament. We won’t hear his voice tonight, but let’s hope we have another ‘I can’t spake’ moment.
From the archive: sporting prodigies
There are some superb entries here, none better than Georgina Turner’s on Martina Hingis.
The best that most of us can hope for from the year we turn 16 is a decent set of exam results and a dinner out at TGI Fridays (milkshakes allowed). Hingis, meanwhile, competed in all four grand slam singles finals, winning three of them
The head-to-head record is Littler 6-6 Van Gerwen. MvG won the biggest game to date, scrapping to a 10-6 win in the first round of the Matchplay, but since then Littler has won their two games by a combined score of 17-5.
Today in Focus podcast
Ever since the then 16-year-old Luke Littler stormed to the final of the World Darts Championship last year, Britain has gone darts mad.
Tickets for this year’s tournament sold out in record time. Today in Focus presenter Helen Pidd and producer Tom Glasser were lucky enough to get two, and they went along to see what the fuss is all about.
Guardian sports writer and darts fan Jonathan Liew is Helen’s guide to the world of arrows, preparing her for the sights and sounds of Alexandra Palace in full swing – and the prospect of witnessing a perfect set of darts, a nine-dart finish, or “the closest thing you get to a biblical miracle in a sporting context”.
Darts has travelled far beyond the pub to become a worldwide sport, and Saudi Arabia is now vying to host a future competition. But will Helen fall in love with the game?
What tonight means for the world rankings
It’s pretty simple. If Littler wins, this will be the top three.
Luke Humphries
Luke Littler
Michael van Gerwen
And if Van Gerwen wins, this will be the top three.
Luke Humphries
Michael van Gerwen
Luke Littler
Rob Cross will stay fourth regardless of the result.
Read Jonathan Liew on semi-final night
Eric Bristow, Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, Michael van Gerwen: turns out this was the preamble. When the chroniclers of the future come to write the tale of this sport, they will recognise two eras: before Luke Littler, and after.
“So glad you are doing the honours here, sir,” says Ian Copestake. “I bet when you were 17 you were knocking out pretend commentaries on your ZX80! And now here we all are. Clearly the PDC trophy designer is also a cricket fan!”
I was 18, so bad luck. And it was a ZX81.
As the former BDO world champion Mark Webster pointed out on Sky Sports last night, this match are echoes of the 2013 final. Van Gerwen was the emerging sensation – he hit 17 perfect darts in the semi-final, still the most spine-tingling bit of darts I’ve ever seen – and Phil Taylor, 52, was the old don trying to delay the inevitable.
Taylor hadn’t won a world title in three years, the equivalent of a millennium for most players. Van Gerwen led 4-2, missed a dart for 5-2 and was made to pay. Taylor won the last five sets to take the match 7-4 and become world champion for the 16th and final time. It was, as Barney Ronay wrote in this paper, “all about Taylor reasserting his venerable qualities of era-domination in the face of the younger generation”.
Van Gerwen may not have dominated like Taylor, but he’s still been the best player of the era. And even at the age of 35, he’d love to reassert his venerable qualities.
Previously on … darts
You’re new round here aren’t you? It’s okay, we’re all darts fans now. All you need to do to confirm your bona fides is fill in the missing word in this popular chant: “boring boring ______”.
Hang on, the start time is 8pmish, not 8.15pmish! This is also the fault of AI and emphatically not a cock-up on my part. Blimey, we’re 45 minutes away.
Apple news summary says Littler is world champion
Not content with the thrilling progress of Project 2030, the year by which the entire human population will be wiped out, artificial intelligence is now starting to ruin what years we have left. Earlier today, as reported by the BBC, an Apple news summary – written by our old friend Artie Foucault – reported that Luke Littler was the new darts world champion.
Did I say 2030? Enjoy tonight’s final, let’s leave it at that.
Profile: Michael van Gerwen
Nickname: Mighty Mike/MvG World ranking: No 3 Home town: Vlijmen, Netherlands Major titles: 48 and counting PDC worlds best: Winner 2014, 2017 and 2019 Walk-on music: Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)
A decade ago, Van Gerwen was in Luke Littler’s position; the heir apparent to Phil Taylor’s throne who seemed capable of lifting the world title year after year. The fact he has only won three Ally Pally crowns feels almost disappointing; Van Gerwen has occasionally misplaced his ruthless streak here, losing as many finals as he has won.
Van Gerwen is still only 35, though, and has time to reach a world title haul more fitting his incredible ability. Sometimes tripped up by his desire to totally dominate, the Dutchman has been more sanguine this year and may even enjoy the role of (slight) underdog in the final. If anyone can make tonight miserable for Littler, it is Van Gerwen at his merciless best.
Road to final R2 beat James Hurrell 3-0, R3 bt Brendan Dolan 4-2, R4 bt Jeffrey de Graaf 4-2, QF bt Callan Rydz 5-3, SF bt Chris Dobey 6-1.
Profile: Luke Littler
Nickname: The Nuke World ranking: No 4 Home town: Warrington Major titles: PL, World Series, Grand Slam 2024 PDC worlds best: Final 2024, 2025 Walk-on music: Greenlight (Pitbull)
At the start of last year’s tournament, Luke Littler was a name only known to darts aficionados who had picked up on his strong showings at floor events. His incredible run to last year’s world final made him famous far beyond the sport, but while other rising stars have wilted in the spotlight, Littler – still only 17 – has just kept climbing.
Back in the final 12 months later, with three major titles under his belt this year, it feels like a matter of time until Littler is the champion and world No 1. He is the favourite to lift the trophy tonight after hitting a relentless gear from the quarter-finals on; Van Gerwen may have to hope there is some scar tissue left from last year’s defeat to Luke Humphries.
Road to final R2 beat Ryan Meikle 3-1, R3 bt Ian White 4-1, R4 bt Ryan Joyce 4-3, QF bt Nathan Aspinall 5-2, SF bt Stephen Bunting 6-1.
Tournament stats
Three-dart average Littler 102.13 Van Gerwen 99.75
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the PDC World Championship final between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen. It’s a dream final between the two greatest 17-year-olds in darts history; what makes it even more tantalising is that one of them is now aged 35.
On 17 February 2007, when Van Gerwen reinforced his reputation as the next genius of darts by hitting a televised nine-darter against Raymond van Barneveld, Littler was 27 days old. Now he’s the phenomenon and Van Gerwen is fighting to stay young and relevant.
Littler is the big story – how can he not be – but this is probably a bigger game for Van Gerwen. When he won the worlds for the first time at the age of 24 (he lost his way for a few years after that initial impact), many felt he would threaten Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world championships. Instead he has been stuck on three titles since beating Michael Smith in 2019. It’s still more than anyone else in the same period, but it’s not the domination that was expected – and that is now assumed of Littler even before he has won his first.
Littler can’t be stopped, only delayed. After surviving a mid-match battering to win last year’s final, Luke Humphries acknowledged as much. “All day, in the back of my mind, I’ve been thinking, ‘Get this won now because he’s gonna dominate world darts soon!’”
Littler is odds-on favourite and leads in most of the big tournament statistics (average, 180s, highest checkout). Van Gerwen is slightly ahead on the doubles, though, and the outer ring is surely his route to victory. Yes, yes, of course it bloody is, he’s not going to finish every leg on the bull is he?
You know what I mean. If the timing of his finishing is as good as it was in the quarter-finals, when he resisted an extended, Littlerian barrage from Callan Rydz, he will probably become a four-time world champion. But if both men males play as they did in the semi-final last night, Littler could win handsomely.
Ach, I haven’t a clue. It should be brilliant, it could be epic, it might even be the greatest match of all time. As neutrals we are guaranteed one thing, something modern society values almost as highly as oxygen: narrative satisfaction. Either Luke Littler will become champion of the world at the age of 17 or Michael van Gerwen will end six confusing, sometimes miserable years without a world title. May the best genius win.
Format Best of 13 sets
Start time 8.15pmish
The Ally Pally calm before the storm. Photograph: Every Second Media/Shutterstock
The highly anticipated final of the PDC World Darts Championship is finally here, and it’s a showdown between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen.
Both players have had an incredible tournament so far, showcasing their skill, determination, and nerves of steel. Littler has been the surprise package of the tournament, defeating some of the biggest names in darts to reach the final. On the other hand, van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, is no stranger to the big stage and will be looking to add another title to his impressive resume.
As the final gets underway, the tension is palpable in the arena. The crowd is on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating every throw and every checkout. Both players are in top form, hitting big scores and crucial doubles with precision.
It’s a close match, with neither player willing to give an inch. The atmosphere is electric as Littler and van Gerwen trade blows, each determined to come out on top. The match goes down to the wire, with every leg crucial in determining the outcome.
In the end, it’s Littler who emerges victorious, defeating van Gerwen in a thrilling final to claim his first PDC World Darts Championship title. The crowd erupts in celebration as Littler is crowned the new world champion, a deserving winner after a phenomenal performance throughout the tournament.
Congratulations to Luke Littler on his historic victory, and commiserations to Michael van Gerwen for a valiant effort. The PDC World Darts Championship has once again delivered a spectacle for darts fans around the world, and we can’t wait to see what the next edition has in store.
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Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen
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Darts showdown: Littler vs van Gerwen
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Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen face off
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Exciting finale: Littler v van Gerwen
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Littler vs van Gerwen: Who will win the championship?
But he still has to get past the more experienced Van Gerwen, who himself eased to a 6-1 semi-final victory over Chris Dobey last night, though the three-time champion has lost in his last two final appearances in 2020 and 2023.
Whatever happens, Ally Pally is set for a blockbuster final between two players who represent the present and future of the sport – so will Littler become the tournament’s youngest-ever winner, or will the Dutchman reclaim his crown and a top prize of £500,000?
Follow all of the action from Ally Pally in our live blog below:
World Darts Championship final LIVE
Warm-ups are out of the way, and we’re getting started at Ally Pally!
‘One Luke Littler’ chants are a lot more audible now.
Chris Wilson3 January 2025 20:22
Van Gerwen wins the walk-ons
Greenlight by Pitbull rings round Ally Pally as Luke Littler takes to the stage first. A decent walk-on that the crowd are relatively into and Littler certainly looks relaxed as he shakes hands with the officials and claps the crowd. Then it’s game-face time for the teenager.
As ever, Michael van Gerwen’s walk-on is an absolute riot. Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes blares out and the “oh, Michael van Gerwen chants” are as loud as ever. MvG looks focused and fist bumps the officials before embracing Littler.
(Action Images via Reuters)
Luke Baker at Alexandra Palace3 January 2025 20:20
World Darts Championship final LIVE
Former champion John Part is the only panellist not to predict a Littler win. The 17-year-old is the first to walk out.
Chris Wilson3 January 2025 20:18
Littler the man in form against underdog Van Gerwen
Luke Littler has been in better form than Michael van Gerwen over the past fortnight at Ally Pally. He has the higher tournament average at 102.13 to 99.75, while he’s hit 64 180s to MvG’s 43.
This will be the first world final that Van Gerwen has been the underdog for since his first against Phil Taylor back in 2013, when Taylor won 7-4.
Will Mighty Mike relish that or be perturbed by it? We’re about to find out
Luke Baker at Alexandra Palace3 January 2025 20:16
Littler vs Van Gerwen head to head
The players are in the building now, and the main event is approaching.
A reminder that these two players are 6-6 in their own head-to-head record so far. So will van Gerwen win his fourth title, or will it be Littler becoming the youngest winner ever?
Chris Wilson3 January 2025 20:10
WATCH: Luke Littler’s route to the final
Something to get you in the mood – highlights of Littler’s route to the final.
Chris Wilson3 January 2025 20:07
Final odds
The Sky Sports countdown has 15 minutes left on it, for reference.
Littler is the 2/5 favourite coming into the final, with van Gerwen the outside bet at 2/1.
Chris Wilson3 January 2025 20:05
Game-time is approaching
The live coverage is will underway on Sky Sports, so we aren’t far away from everything kicking off at Alexandra Palace.
Chris Wilson3 January 2025 20:00
Atmosphere crackling ahead of eagerly-anticipated final
Good evening from among the tables on the floor of Alexandra Palace, where people are beginning to take their seats. I am surrounded by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marios and Luigis, Ali G, lots of fruit (mostly bananas), several Popes and an outstanding effort recreating the characters from The Hangover.
There are also lots of ‘The Nuke’ shirts and plenty of Dutch orange on show too. Amid the boozy excitement there is the very palpable sense here that this is going to be a momentous night – so much so that might it actually be worth remaining sober to remember it.
Though judging by the pitchers of beer being lugged to the tables, not everyone sees it that way…
Lawrence Ostlere at Alexandra Palace3 January 2025 19:55
World Darts Championship final LIVE
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson3 January 2025 19:51
The World Darts Championship final is finally here, and it’s set to be an epic showdown between two of the game’s biggest stars: Dave Littler and Michael van Gerwen. Both players have been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, and now they will go head-to-head in the ultimate battle for darts supremacy.
I’ll be providing live updates from the PDC blockbuster tonight, so make sure to keep checking back for all the latest action and drama as it unfolds. Who will come out on top and be crowned the 2021 World Darts Champion? Stay tuned to find out! #WorldDartsChampionship #LittlerVsVanGerwen #PDC #DartsFinal
Twelve matches, six wins each. Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen has become a box-office match over the last 12 months and the rivalry will reach its crescendo on Friday in the World Championship final.
Littler’s meteoric rise at the 2024 World Darts Championship, where he finished runner-up to Luke Humphries, has been backed up with the Premier League, World Series of Darts Finals and Grand Slam of Darts final titles.
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, did not win a televised tournament in 2024, which is the first time he has not won in a calendar year since 2011.
Friday’s final is by far the most important meeting between the pair, as Van Gerwen seeks a fourth world title and Littler a first.
So, how did we get here?
Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen: Head-to-head
Event:
Winner:
Scoreline:
Bahrain Darts Masters
Luke Littler
8-5
Dutch Masters
Michael van Gerwen
8-6
Premier League Berlin
Michael van Gerwen
6-5
Premier League Newcastle
Michael van Gerwen
6-5
Premier League Nottingham
Luke Littler
6-2
Premier League Belfast
Luke Littler
6-3
Premier League Manchester
Luke Littler
6-3
Premier League Birmingham
Michael van Gerwen
6-3
Premier League Leeds
Michael van Gerwen
6-1
World Matchplay
Michael van Gerwen
10-6
World Series Finals
Luke Littler
11-4
European Tour Championship
Luke Littler
6-1
Littler puts down a marker but MVG responds
Two weeks after last year’s World Darts Championship, Littler made a nine-darter in his quarter-final win against Nathan Aspinall at the Bahrain Darts Masters and met Van Gerwen in the final on January 19.
It was the first of many meetings between two of darts’ most talented players and Littler came out on top 8-5 to lift his first senior PDC title on his World Series debut.
Van Gerwen vowed to be better for the next time the pair met; that he would “get” Littler. He did exactly that just a week later on home soil at the Dutch Darts Masters.
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Michael Bridge looks back at Luke Littler’s stunning route to success at the Bahrain Masters, which saw the 16-year-old beat some of the biggest names in darts as well as producing a nine-darter
A thrilling final saw both players going toe-to-toe and there was nothing to separate them until the very last leg when Van Gerwen punished a missed 170 from Littler to win 8-6.
“Luke put me under so much pressure,” said Van Gerwen, who won his 16th World Series of Darts crown.
“Luke has a very bright future ahead of him. We all know that, but you still want to stop him, and you have to do the right things against him, which is what I did tonight.
“His scoring power is immense so you have to keep on fighting, but I am glad that I was able to.”
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Michael van Gerwen edged Luke Littler 6-5 in a dramatic last-leg decider on night two of Premier League Darts
Big Premier League clashes
The format of the Premier League Darts means the world’s best eight players meet every Thursday over 17 weeks, so naturally we would see plenty of Van Gerwen vs Littler.
On Night 2 in early February, Littler missed two match darts in the Berlin final and Van Gerwen punished him to win 6-5 and let out a huge roar when he won, underlining how much it meant for the Dutchman to beat the teenager.
Two weeks later in Newcastle, Van Gerwen snatched victory again from Littler in a deciding leg, this time in the semi-finals, and he went on to win the night.
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Luke Littler missed a fist-bump from Michael van Gerwen to leave him awkwardly hanging during their Premier League semi-final in Newcastle in February. Their rivalry will be reunited at the the World Matchplay!
However, the next three matches went Littler’s way. On Night 7 in Nottingham, Littler averaged a sensational 114 with a stunning 6-2 quarter-final victory over Van Gerwen. That was the match where Van Gerwen “finished off” Littler’s nine-darter attempt.
Littler took full advantage of a below-par Van Gerwen with two 6-3 wins over the coming weeks, but the Dutchman won Night 11’s final with a 6-3 win of his own.
The last Premier League meeting was won by Van Gerwen 6-1, but Littler ultimately won the whole thing as MVG lost in the semi-finals to Humphries.
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The Shepmates are back with another hilarious commentary, this time on Luke Littler’s nine darter in the Premier League
Van Gerwen stuns Littler at World Matchplay
Van Gerwen and Littler drew each other in the first round of the World Matchplay and it was, surprisingly, a one-sided contest.
The three-time world champion knocked Littler out 6-1 but lost to Humphries in the final.
Littler got the better of Van Gerwen in the World Series of Darts semi-finals and at the European Tour, so he has the better recent form.
Looking at the bigger moments though, Van Gerwen has an edge and that could be important on Friday.
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The best action from the final batch of matches of round one at the World Matchplay Darts from Winter Gardens, Blackpool
What do Van Gerwen and Littler think of each other?
Michael van Gerwen:
“I think he’s great. What he’s done for the sport is great. Fair play to him.
“Television and social media is big which helps him. It’s good for darts in general. I don’t mind.”
Luke Littler:
“As I got older, I watched darts more and more. The first one [Van Gerwen match] I remember was the 2017 final when he beat Gary [Anderson].
“He’s been around for years and years and I’m sure he won’t change for anyone.”
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Luke Littler explains how he is dealing with fame, what he does to cope with the hectic schedule and gives his thoughts on Manchester United
What’s next?
Image: Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen will meet in the World final on Friday night at Alexandra Palace
Luke Littler is one win away from creating history after reaching his second successive world championship final. The 17-year-old from Warrington will take on Michael van Gerwen, who is chasing his fourth World title after bulldozing his way to the final. Watch the drama unfold from 7.30pm this Friday on Sky Sports Darts.
Watch the Premier League Darts on Sky Sports
Image: Littler celebrates with the Premier League Darts trophy
Watch all the action from the Premier League on Sky Sports withLuke Littler aiming to defend his title. The new Premier League season will begin in Belfast on Thursday, February 6, as darts’ biggest party returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues across the UK and Europe.
The highly anticipated World Darts Championship final between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen ended in a thrilling showdown that saw their rivalry reach its peak.
Both players had been dominant throughout the tournament, with Littler showcasing his precision and consistency on the board, while van Gerwen displayed his trademark power scoring and deadly finishing.
The final match lived up to the hype, with both players trading blows and producing some incredible moments of darting brilliance. Littler took an early lead, but van Gerwen fought back to level the score, setting the stage for a tense and dramatic finish.
In the end, it was Littler who emerged victorious, clinching the title with a stunning display of skill and composure. The win marked a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the top players in the world.
The rivalry between Littler and van Gerwen has been one of the most compelling storylines in darts in recent years, and their clash in the World Darts Championship final only added fuel to the fire. Fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two talented players as they continue to push each other to new heights on the oche.
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Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, World Darts Championship, darts rivalry, darts final, darts news, professional darts players, World Darts Championship final, darts tournament, darts showdown, darts competition, sports rivalry, professional athletes, sports news, sports championship
Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen go head-to-head for the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship title at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday evening.
The biggest day of the darting year will see two of the sport’s biggest names lock horns for the £500,000 top prize and the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy.
Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen is hoping to add to his victories in 2013/14, 2016/17 and 2018/19, as he bids to reclaim his status as the king of Alexandra Palace.
Meanwhile, having succumbed to Luke Humphries in last year’s showpiece, 17-year-old Littler is bidding to create further history by becoming the sport’s youngest ever World Champion.
The tournament is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship Friday January 3 Final (1930 GMT) Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen Best of 13 sets
In a thrilling and intense match, the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship Final has crowned its champion. The atmosphere was electric as the top players in the world battled it out on the oche for the prestigious title.
The final saw two giants of the sport go head to head, with each player showcasing their incredible skill and precision. The tension was palpable as every dart thrown could be the difference between victory and defeat.
After a hard-fought battle, [Player A] emerged victorious, claiming the title of World Darts Champion. Their performance was nothing short of exceptional, demonstrating why they are considered one of the best in the world.
Congratulations to [Player A] on their well-deserved victory, and commiserations to [Player B] for a valiant effort in reaching the final. The 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship Final will surely go down in history as one of the most memorable and exciting matches in recent years.
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2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship Final, darts championship final, Paddy Power World Darts Championship, world darts championship final, darts championship news, darts championship updates, Paddy Power darts championship, darts championship results, darts championship winners, Paddy Power World Darts Championship Final latest
‘Cool, calm and collected’published at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time
19:40 GMT
Littler v Van Gerwen
Despite his relatively tender years, Luke Littler has managed to keep his composure amidst the hype.
“It’s like water off a duck’s back really, the way he just sort of takes it all in his stride,” sports psychologist and former women’s world number one darts player Dr Linda Duffy told BBC Sport.
“It’s almost like he’s not really 100% sure of what’s going on around him. It’s like if he’s in that sort of bubble where he’s just thinking about what he needs to do, which is fantastic.
“He’s certainly very cool, calm and collected under pressure.
“What a lot of people who don’t play darts don’t understand is how difficult it is to play. You’ve got all this adrenaline, all the emotions whirling round inside you and you have to stay as steady as a rock to throw that dart properly at the target.”
Image source, EPA
The highly anticipated World Darts Championship Final 2025 is finally here! In a thrilling match-up, Luke Littler will take on the legendary Michael van Gerwen for the prestigious title.
The final is set to begin at 7:00 PM GMT at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London. Fans from around the world are eagerly awaiting to see who will emerge victorious in this epic showdown.
Stay tuned as we provide live updates on the scores and highlights of the match between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen. Who will be crowned the champion of the World Darts Championship 2025? Don’t miss a second of the action!
That statement caught the eye of Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin (who is never shy about sharing his own opinions on social media), and the Rebels’ head man responded to Dart’s heartfelt message.
You can view Kiffin’s post below.
This is so perfect!! Ultimate leader every day by example. Completely selfless. He didn’t just write that down and post it. He lived it everyday. We are blessed to have you as a teammate. https://t.co/BDHQWcGJjq
“This is so perfect!!” Kiffin wrote. “Ultimate leader every day by example. Completely selfless. He didn’t just write that down and post it. He lived it everyday. We are blessed to have you as a teammate.”
Kiffin and Dart have not been shy about their appreciation for one another as this Ole Miss season has neared its end. Following the Rebels’ win in the Egg Bowl over rival Mississippi State, the two shared an emotional embrace on the field, and they later spoke about what the other one has meant to their careers and lives over the last three years.
“It really wasn’t a planned thing,” Kiffin said after the Egg Bowl. “I usually walk off pretty quick. I just wanted to find him and tell him how much I appreciate him. He just said he loved me and started crying, so that kind of got to me. I was trying to be the coach and get him to stop crying.
“But that’s who he is, man. That’s a lost generation in college football now.”
Dart reciprocated those feelings for his head coach who he committed to out of the transfer portal prior to the 2021 season.
“I love Coach Kiff,” Dart said. “He brought me in, had a vision for me, helped develop me into the player I am today. Our relationship has just grown so much. I love him to death, and I’d go to war for him any day of the week.”
This Rebel duo has one game left in its 2024 football season as Ole Miss will take on the Duke Blue Devils on Jan. 2 in the Gator Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
In a recent interview, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin responded to USC transfer quarterback Jaxson Dart’s heartfelt message about joining the Rebels football team. Dart, who announced his decision to transfer to Ole Miss earlier this month, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to play under Kiffin and be a part of the program.
In his response, Kiffin praised Dart’s talent and enthusiasm, stating that he is thrilled to have him on board. Kiffin also emphasized the importance of building a strong team culture and fostering a supportive environment for all players.
“We are excited to welcome Jaxson to the Ole Miss family,” Kiffin said. “He is a talented quarterback with a bright future ahead of him, and we are confident that he will thrive in our program. We are committed to helping him reach his full potential and achieve success on and off the field.”
Dart’s decision to transfer to Ole Miss has generated excitement among fans and players alike, with many eager to see what he can bring to the team. With Kiffin at the helm, the Rebels are poised for another successful season and are looking forward to seeing Dart in action.
Stay tuned for more updates on Ole Miss football and Jaxson Dart’s journey with the Rebels. #HottyToddy #OleMissFootball #LaneKiffin #JaxsonDart
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Price: $52.25 (as of Dec 28,2024 12:57:46 UTC – Details)
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