"I said to him I've beat you back-to-back now you can have it next year and he went yeah that's if I'm still around": Littler quipped to Wade with dead pan response

Luke Littler has made history again by winning the UK Open for the second year in a row. In a repeat of last year’s final, the 19-year-old Englishman once again defeated his 42-year-old compatriot James Wade. At Butlin’s Minehead Resort, Littler prevailed 11-7 and successfully defended his title.

With this victory, Littler joins an exclusive club. Only three other players had previously managed to win the UK Open in back-to-back years: Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, and Raymond van Barneveld. The fact that the teenager already belongs in that group underlines how quickly he has developed into one of the elite in the darts world.

The final was played at a high level, but in the end Littler proved just that bit more consistent at the key moments. Wade hung in for a long time, but in the decisive phase “The Nuke” made the difference with a series of strong checkouts. With that, he secured the prestigious title once more.

Afterwards, Littler spoke with great respect about Wade. The young world champion admitted that Wade was one of the players he looked up to in his youth. “I think he’s been here every time now, for I think 24 years.” Littler said after the match. "it just goes to show how long he’s been around. James is obviously one of the ones I always watched growing up. "All these people that I'm beating, thinking back ten years ago I was watching them."

The two Englishmen also shared a light-hearted moment afterwards. Littler couldn’t resist a joke about their back-to-back finals. "James is absolute class. I said to him: 'I've beat you back-to-back now you can have it next year' and he went: 'Yeah that's if I'm still around’. I think he's still got a lot left in the tank."

The victory also means Littler extends his impressive streak at major televised tournaments. Since late October last year, he hasn’t lost a single match on a big PDC stage. Ironically, it was Wade who managed to beat him back then at the European Championship Darts.

For Wade, the defeat meant another lost final against the young sensation. The experienced Englishman had previously also come up short against Littler in the finals of the UK Open and the World Matchplay.

Afterwards, Wade was candid in his assessment. “He was just too good for me there in the end. Little bit gassed out, little bit older than he is. Just couldn’t quite find it. Hats off to him. He’s doing what he does and he does it quite easily. Missed a couple of shots and a couple of doubles. No one likes losing."

Still, Wade emphasized that he is satisfied with his recent performances despite the missed title. “Perhaps it doesn’t always get reflected how I’m doing and what I’m doing. But for the last 18 months I’ve done alright."

Wade also spoke highly of his young rival, who is currently viewed as one of the PDC’s marquee performers. “Luke’s flying the flag for the PDC, he’s the best player in the world at the moment."

That Wade can still compete at the top level was evident over the past year with several strong results. In addition to his UK Open final, he also reached the decider at the World Matchplay. Yet his name was notably absent from the Premier League Darts lineup for 2026.

That decision caused considerable frustration for the former Premier League winner. Despite strong performances in ranking events, the PDC opted to award wildcard spots to the likes of Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price.

For Littler, however, it changes little in his remarkable rise. With back-to-back UK Open titles and a string of strong performances on the biggest stages, the young Englishman seems unstoppable for now. And if it’s up to him, James Wade will also continue to be a force at the top of darts for some time.