"I want to win a game at the Winter Gardens" - Luke Littler looks to put Van Gerwen disappointment to bed at 2025 World Matchplay

Luke Littler is deliberately keeping expectations grounded as he prepares for his second appearance at the Betfred World Matchplay, which gets underway on 19 July at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The reigning World Champion is determined to put the disappointment of last year’s debut behind him, when he was beaten 10–6 in the opening round by Michael van Gerwen.

“I want to pick up as many trophies as I can,” Littler told Sky Sports. “But first of all, I want to win a game at the Winter Gardens. So, win that first game and then see how it goes from there.”

Now 18, the teenage sensation has already built a glittering CV – lifting the World Championship, Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts and UK Open in the space of just a few months. But in Blackpool, he insists there’s only one immediate goal: get through that opening tie, which will be against Ryan Searle.

Littler’s 2024 debut was far from straightforward, although he was handed a brutal opening test in the form of Van Gerwen. The then-17-year-old managed to break the Dutchman in the third leg and edged 2–1 ahead, with Van Gerwen seemingly in early trouble. But the momentum quickly shifted — Van Gerwen broke back instantly and rattled off three legs on the spin to move 5–2 up.

Both players posted averages around the 110 mark during the mid-stage of the match, but it remained a stop-start affair, with frequent breaks of throw leaving the contest finely poised at 6–4. A critical moment came when Van Gerwen nailed a 146 checkout to move 8–5 in front, a blow from which Littler couldn’t recover. He was broken again in the final leg to seal his exit.

Assessing Littler’s performance, Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle said at the time:

“I don't know if Littler had as much focus as Michael. There was definitely a lot of nonchalance going on. There was a last dart he wanted, he wanted 74 and threw it at T18 while walking. It was all too unfocused, uncaring. Of course he cares…”

Mardle did highlight a glimmer of Littler’s class despite the defeat, adding:

This time, with Searle awaiting in round one, Littler is hoping that a single win can be the springboard to a far stronger campaign on the Blackpool stage.