Luke Littler could become world number one for the first time this weekend: here's what 'The Nuke' has to do at the European Championship 2025

Luke Littler is on the brink of another milestone in his whirlwind career. The 18-year-old sensation from Warrington could officially become world number one this weekend at the European Championship in Dortmund. To do so, he not only has to overtake reigning world champion Luke Humphries in the rankings, but also overcome Raymond van Barneveld and contend with a hostile German crowd that has already caused him trouble several times this season.

On the adjusted rankings, there is just £27,500 separating Humphries and Littler. The two rivals could meet as early as the quarter-finals in Dortmund. If Littler wins that clash and then reaches the final, he will ascend to the top of the world rankings for the first time. However, these scenarios depend heavily on Humphries’ performance.

If the world champion exits early – he faces Krzysztof Ratajski in the first round – a semi-final finish would be enough for Littler to claim the top spot. In that case, a virtual gap of £5,000 would emerge. But to become the new world number one, Littler must not only overcome his opponents but also contend with the German fans.

Since the start of the year, Littler has developed a difficult relationship with the German public. During the Premier League night in Berlin in April, he was greeted with boos and whistles. The young Englishman appeared visibly irritated and subsequently lost his opening match to Chris Dobey.

Trouble also followed him at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich. After losing to Gian van Veen, Littler posted a telling message on Instagram: “Glad I don’t have to play here for now.” Since then, he has avoided Euro Tour events in Germany, skipping four tournaments – in Sindelfingen, Leverkusen, Kiel, and Hildesheim – appearing only at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. Even there, he and Humphries were surprisingly eliminated by the host nation amid a chorus of boos.

His return to Dortmund this week will therefore be far from straightforward. Littler knows the reception will be frosty, yet he must perform at the European Championship to claim one of the three major PDC titles still missing from his résumé.

In the first round, Littler faces a showdown with Raymond van Barneveld. The Dutchman is not only a crowd favourite in Germany but also someone with whom Littler shares a unique connection. The teenager was barely a toddler when he used magnetic darts on the floor to mimic Barneveld’s iconic ‘arms-wide’ celebration.

However, there is little sign of awe left on stage. The two meet on Thursday for the fourth time. Their first encounter was at the 2024 World Darts Championship, where Littler won 4-1 in sets, announcing his arrival on the world stage. Later that year, he defeated Barney again, 6-4 at the World Series Finals in Amsterdam.

Barneveld struck back in September during Players Championship 26 in Wigan, beating Littler 6-2. The 58-year-old from The Hague will now face a player forty years his junior – yet the young Englishman enters Dortmund as the clear favourite.