Luke Littler continued his remarkable rise in professional darts by defeating Michael van Gerwen 8–5 to win the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, becoming the first champion of the tournament in Riyadh.
The 18-year-old world number one and reigning world champion delivered a composed and clinical performance to outclass the three-time world champion, underlining his status as the dominant force in the modern game just days before his 19th birthday.
Fast Start Proves Decisive in Riyadh Final
Littler seized control of the final early on, racing into a commanding 4–0 lead that immediately put Van Gerwen on the back foot.
Although the Dutchman showed his trademark resilience by clawing his way back into the contest — narrowing the deficit to 4–3 and later 5–4 — he was never able to fully wrest momentum away from the teenager.
Each time Van Gerwen threatened a comeback, Littler responded with crucial finishes and heavy scoring to keep his opponent at arm’s length.
Impressive Numbers Highlight Littler’s Dominance
Statistically, Littler’s performance was one of the standout displays of the World Series of Darts season so far.
- Average: 104.84
- Checkout success: 61.5%
- 180s: 6
By comparison, Van Gerwen averaged a still-impressive 101.79, but his checkout rate of 45.5% ultimately proved costly. The Dutchman also landed just two maximums, highlighting Littler’s superior scoring power across the match.
Littler: “Really Glad to Be the First Winner”
Speaking after the final, Littler reflected on bouncing back after disappointment the previous week.
“Obviously last week it didn’t work out in Bahrain, but I’m really glad to come over to Saudi Arabia for the first time and be the first winner,” Littler told ITV4.
“Michael got back into it so I had to find my form again, but I’m just really glad to win. As players coming over here, we didn’t know what to expect, but there’s been a brilliant turnout.”
The victory further cements Littler’s position at the top of the sport, adding another major title to his rapidly growing collection.
Van Gerwen Praises Teenager’s Performance
Despite the defeat, Van Gerwen acknowledged that the damage was done in the opening phase of the match.
“Being 4–0 down at the beginning of the game didn’t really help me, but I always keep fighting,” said the 36-year-old.
“Fair play to him. He had a fantastic tournament. Sometimes you have to take it on the chin and move on.”
No Nine-Darter Despite Huge Bonus Offer
Players at the event were offered a $200,000 (£149,400) bonus for hitting a nine-darter, but none of the competitors managed the perfect leg over the two-day tournament.
While several players came close, the lucrative prize went unclaimed.
Historic First Darts Event in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters marked the first professional darts event held in the kingdom, forming part of the World Series of Darts calendar.
The tournament took place at the 1,000-capacity Global Theater in Riyadh and featured many of the world’s top-ranked players. The event was staged under Saudi Arabia’s strict no-alcohol regulations, creating a noticeably different atmosphere from traditional darts venues in Europe and the UK.
Crowd Reaction and Controversy
Earlier in the day, Nathan Aspinall, who lost to Van Gerwen in the semi-finals, questioned the authenticity of the crowd, suggesting spectators “weren’t all there of their own accord”.
In response, a PDC spokesperson told BBC Sport:
“We were delighted to see such strong interest in the Saudi event. All spectators attended as ticket-holders or guests. As with any new market, the atmosphere and crowd make-up can differ from long-established darts events in the UK and Europe.”
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role in Global Sport
The darts event is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to host major international sporting competitions, including Formula 1, elite golf tournaments, and the upcoming men’s football World Cup in 2034.
However, the country continues to face criticism over its human rights record and environmental impact, issues that remain part of the wider debate surrounding its involvement in global sport.
Saudi Arabia Darts Masters Results
Quarter-finals
- Michael van Gerwen 6–4 Stephen Bunting
- Nathan Aspinall 6–4 Man Lok Leung
- Luke Littler 6–4 Gian van Veen
- Gerwyn Price 6–5 Luke Humphries
Semi-finals
- Michael van Gerwen 7–5 Nathan Aspinall
- Luke Littler 7–5 Gerwyn Price
Final
- Luke Littler 8–5 Michael van Gerwen
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