Luke Littler set to land prestigious trophy whether he wins or loses World Darts Championship against Van Gerwen
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TEEN darts sensation Luke Littler is set to bag silverware for his trophy cabinet tonight - whether he wins the PDC title or not. The Nuke takes on three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the Ally Pally showpiece. Littler reached last year's final against World No. 1 Luke Humphries, ultimately losing out 7-4.
![[Luke Littler is preparing to take on Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally tonight]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/day-fifteen-paddy-power-world-961142271_7053d3.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The 17-year-old tore past Stephen Bunting on Thursday to book his place against MVG. But even if he loses on the big stage tonight, The Nuke's thirst for trebles means he is very likely walking away with a trophy. Littler currently leads the race for the Ballon d'Art, a mammoth trophy given to the player who hits the most 180s in the tournament.
![[The Ballon d'Art is up for grabs for a second-straight year]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ballon-d-art-863780576.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Warrington-born Luke has already found 64 maximums during this year's World Championship, far more than any other player. Van Gerwen needs to hit 21 more 180s than Littler to overtake him on the leaderboard tonight. Far more likely is Littler chasing down Michael Smith's tournament record of 83.
![[Last year's champion Luke Humphries won the award in 2024]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/3rd-january-2024-869622548.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. Bully Boy achieved the feat in 2022 when he finished runner-up to Peter Wright. Littler will not receive a cash prize for lifting the Ballon D'Art, but will receive a massive 16kg trophy. Paddy Power has donated £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum scored in the tournament.
A spokesperson for the bookmakers said: "Football has the Ballon d'Or, so it’s only right that darts has the Ballon d'Art. "It will be handed to the player who is literally single-handedly responsible for raising the largest sum of money for Prostate Cancer UK during the tournament.".
