Luke Littler’s extraordinary rise in darts has now been crowned by what is being described as the biggest sponsorship deal in the sport’s history. The 18-year-old world number one has reportedly signed a £20 million agreement with Target Darts, just days after purchasing a £1 million luxury home for his parents.
The landmark contract was secured a week after Littler claimed his second consecutive World Darts Championship title, defeating Gian van Veen 7–1 at Alexandra Palace. According to the Press Association, the deal could be worth £20 million over the next decade once bonuses, performance-related earnings and a share of product sales are taken into account.
Known as ‘The Nuke’, Littler has already built a record few players in darts can match. He has won the PDC World Championship twice — in 2025 and 2026 — and remains the youngest world champion in the sport’s history, having lifted his first title at just 17 years and 347 days. In total, he has collected 10 PDC major titles, ranking him fourth on the all-time list, and 22 PDC titles overall.
Born and raised in Warrington, Littler first picked up a dart at just 18 months old. He established himself on the World Darts Federation circuit in 2022 before bursting onto the PDC scene the following year, when he won the World Youth Championship and claimed five Development Tour titles.
His PDC World Championship debut came in 2024, aged only 16. Arriving as a 66/1 outsider, he stunned the sport by reaching the final, where he was eventually beaten by Luke Humphries.
That breakthrough year saw him win three major titles, including the Premier League, and his dominance only intensified. In 2025, Littler defeated Michael van Gerwen to claim his maiden world crown, winning six of the season’s 10 majors, completing the PDC Triple Crown with victory at the World Matchplay, and becoming the youngest world number one after his Grand Slam triumph.
He retained his title in 2026 by overcoming Gian van Veen, becoming just the eighth player to win back-to-back world championships and only the fourth to do so in the PDC era.
Away from the oche, his life has changed just as dramatically. Until recently, Littler had been renting a £6,000-a-month property near Warrington with his mother Lisa, 42, and father Anthony Buckley, 45, a taxi driver. Following his £1 million payday at Alexandra Palace, he has now taken the next step by buying a house outright. The property is believed to be intended to be his parents’ “forever home”.
Despite his fame, his roots remain close. Littler grew up in a modest semi-detached home with his parents and sister Caitlin and attended Padgate Academy, a local comprehensive school. His rise has brought a taste of a very different lifestyle, however.
Supported at the World Championship final by his girlfriend Faith Millar, 19, he has been enjoying the rewards of success away from the spotlight. In November, shortly after passing his driving test, he bought his first car — a personalised £39,000 BMW M Sport 120.
Financially, his achievements are already remarkable. Littler has earned more than £2 million in prize money across just two years on the professional circuit, in addition to lucrative sponsorships and Premier League earnings. Before his most recent Ally Pally triumph, his net worth was estimated at around £6.5 million.
His rapid ascent has also transformed the sport itself. Named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2024, Littler’s emergence at just 16 sparked a surge of public interest in darts — a phenomenon dubbed “Littlermania” or the “Littler effect”.
Yet despite the scale of his success, the teenager remains grounded. Asked how he would spend his Ally Pally winnings, Littler joked about buying collectible football cards and “a few boxes” to watch Manchester United.
“Obviously, it’s a lot of money,” he said. “I’m the first player to break the £2 million mark. Hopefully, I can try and get up to £3 million. The money’s there, but I’ve said it before — as a family, we’ve never had this sort of money.”