Luke Littler secures world number one semi-final at the Grand Slam of Darts

Luke Littler will become world number one for the first time after booking his place in the final of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

The world champion’s 16-9 victory over Dutchman Danny Nobert means he will overtake rival Luke Humphries to top the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world rankings regardless of the outcome of Sunday night’s final.

Littler’s total earnings over the two-year period that determines the Order of Merit stand at £1,770,500 after reaching the final, a figure which will rise to £1,850,000 if he wins.

With Humphreys defending the money he earned from winning this tournament in 2023, even if he does lift the trophy again, he will have pocketed £1,769,000 – just shy of fellow Englishman Littler.

“It’s not even been two years since I participated in the tour and I’m already ranked number one in the world,” Littler told Sky Sports.

“Mission accomplished, I’m world number one, but there’s a bigger game tonight.

“I’m the best in the world. Regardless, I’ve said it all year that Luke Humphries is the best in the world.

“Regardless of whether you get out in the first, second or third round, you are the best in the world.”

At just 18 years old, Littler will become the youngest player to hold the PDC world number one spot, overtaking Michael van Gerwen who achieved the feat aged 24 in 2014.

Rankings are determined by the amount of prize money a player has won from ranking tournaments over a two-year period.

Littler had to overcome a slow start by himself and a strong start by Nobert in the semi-finals to find himself trailing 8-6.

However, he bounced back in impressive style, winning 10 of the next 11 rounds, finishing with an average of 102.62 to complete his rise to the top of world darts.

Humphreys hung on to top spot a little longer with a brilliant display to defeat Gerwyn Price 16-13 in a thrilling first semi-final.

The 2024 world champion averaged 106.25 and hit 16 180s, and with the rankings not officially updated until midnight, he will have the opportunity to beat defending champion Littler in his final match as world number one this evening.