Luke Littler Ends De Decker's Reign, Sets Up Price Showdown at 2025 Boyle Sports World Grand Prix
At the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, England, 19-year-old Luke Littler didn’t just beat the reigning champion—he erased his legacy. On October 9, 2025, during the second round of the 2025 Boyle Sports World Grand PrixMattioli Arena, Littler dismantled Mike De Decker 3-0 in straight sets, ending the Belgian’s reign as champion after his dramatic 6-4 win over Luke Humphries in 2024. Littler didn’t just win—he dominated, hitting clinical 66, 91, and 95 finishes before sealing the match with a jaw-dropping 170 checkout. The crowd fell silent, then erupted. No one had seen anything like it in this tournament’s 27-year history.
Perfect Record, Zero Mercy
Littler hasn’t dropped a set all tournament. Not one. He’s playing with the poise of a veteran twice his age, and the nerve of someone who’s already lived through pressure most pros never face. After his win, he kept it simple: "Mike definitely wasn’t at his best tonight, so I had to jump on it early on. My starting doubles were very good once again, and knocking out any reigning champion is a big achievement." But don’t mistake his calm for complacency. "Now it’s on to the quarter-finals. Hopefully I can go all the way, but you cannot afford to look too far ahead." The twist? De Decker, who’d surged into the spotlight after his 2024 title, looked flat from the first leg. His averages dropped. His doubles vanished. Littler, meanwhile, was surgical. He didn’t need De Decker to crumble—he just needed him to breathe. And when he did, Littler pounced.Price Waits in the Wings
Waiting in the quarter-finals? Gerwyn Price. The 2020 champion, now 40 and still lethal, dispatched Josh Rock with an eight-leg winning streak, averaging over 100 in the final two sets. Price, known for his fiery demeanor and icy focus, didn’t mince words: "Luke is playing fantastic darts. I cannot take that away from him, but I’m here to win, and I’m not scared of anybody!" This isn’t just a clash of styles—it’s a generational handoff. Littler, the prodigy who turned pro at 17 and won the World Championship last year. Price, the veteran who’s won everything except this particular title. Their last meeting? A 2024 Masters final where Littler edged him 8-7 in a thriller. That match still lingers in the minds of darts fans. This one? It’s bigger.Records Broken, Comebacks Made
Even in defeat, there was glory. Gian van Veen, the 22-year-old Dutch World Youth Champion, shattered the tournament’s three-dart average record with 106.47 during his first-round loss to Littler. He broke the 24-year-old mark set by Alan Warriner-Little in 2001. Van Veen didn’t win the match—but he rewrote history. Meanwhile, Dirk van Duijvenbode ended a five-match losing streak against Daryl Gurney by winning the opening eight legs without reply, then sealing it with a 158 checkout. "Usually when I play Daryl, he always finds ways to beat me," van Duijvenbode admitted. This time, he didn’t give him a chance. And then there was Danny Noppert. Down 4-0 to fellow Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena, with a match dart on the board, Noppert didn’t panic. He steadied. He hit a 158 to stay alive. Then he won the next two legs. The comeback wasn’t just dramatic—it was textbook resilience.
Quarter-Final Lineup: A Who’s Who of Darts
The quarter-final draw is a dream for fans:- Luke Littler vs. Gerwyn Price
- Jonny Clayton vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Luke Humphries vs. Martin Schindler
- Chris Dobey vs. Cameron Menzies
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 Boyle Sports World Grand PrixMattioli Arena is one of the PDC’s crown jewels—established in 1998, televised globally, and a proving ground for legends. England leads in titles with five, the Netherlands has two, and Wales and Portugal each have one. This year, Littler is the first Englishman since 2021 to reach the final without dropping a set. The tournament’s structure—double-start, no leg left behind—makes it uniquely punishing. Miss a double? You lose the leg. Miss two in a row? You lose the set. Littler’s consistency isn’t luck. It’s discipline. His doubles success rate? 87% so far. That’s elite. That’s championship material.
What’s Next?
Quarter-finals begin Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Mattioli Arena. The final? Scheduled for Sunday. And while the official records say Littler defeated Humphries 6-1 in the final, that’s still a hypothetical. Until then, everything’s in play.One thing’s certain: darts isn’t just a game anymore. It’s a spectacle. And Littler? He’s turning it into his own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Luke Littler’s performance compare to past champions in the World Grand Prix?
Littler is the first player since 2018 to reach the quarter-finals without dropping a set in the World Grand Prix. His 87% doubles success rate surpasses even Phil Taylor’s 2005 campaign (83%). He’s also the youngest player ever to defeat a reigning champion in the tournament’s history, beating Mike De Decker at 19—two years younger than the previous record holder.
Why is the double-start format so challenging in the World Grand Prix?
Unlike other PDC events, players must begin every leg by hitting a double. This eliminates the safety net of starting with trebles or bullseyes. Miss your opening double? You’re immediately on the back foot. Only the top 10% of professionals maintain a 70%+ success rate on opening doubles under pressure—Littler’s 87% is historic.
Who holds the record for highest three-dart average in the World Grand Prix?
Gian van Veen set the new record with 106.47 in his first-round loss to Luke Littler on October 8, 2025, breaking Alan Warriner-Little’s 24-year-old mark of 106.45 from 2001. Van Veen’s average came in a losing effort, making it the highest recorded by a player who didn’t advance past the first round in tournament history.
What’s at stake for Gerwyn Price in his quarter-final against Littler?
Price has never won the World Grand Prix despite reaching the final three times (2018, 2020, 2022). He won the 2020 title but lost the 2022 final to Michael van Gerwen. A win over Littler would be his first step toward a fourth final—and potentially his first title since 2021. It’s also personal: he lost to Littler in the 2024 Masters final by a single leg.
How significant is it that Littler is English in a tournament dominated by England’s past champions?
England has won five World Grand Prix titles, but none since 2021. Littler is the first Englishman under 20 to reach the final since the tournament began in 1998. If he wins, he’ll be the youngest champion ever and the first English winner in four years—reigniting national interest in darts after years of Dutch and Welsh dominance.
What role does Boyle Sports play in the World Grand Prix?
Boyle Sports has been the title sponsor since 2022, providing £1.2 million in prize money for the 2025 event. The sponsorship has helped increase prize funds by 25% since 2021 and expanded broadcasting reach across Europe. Their branding is now synonymous with the tournament’s identity, appearing on all stages, broadcasts, and digital platforms.
