Luke Littler is exempt from one little-known rule at World Darts Championship and it sums his career up

Luke Littler remains exempt from a little-known rule at the 2025 World Darts Championship that everyone else must abide by.

Littler reached the final of last year's competition, losing 7-4 in sets to Luke Humphries in the final.

The 16-year-old entered the tournament through his finishing position on the PDC Development Tour, and he had banked just £2,500 in prize money from competing in the 2023 UK Open before the World Championship began.

By the end of the tournament, Littler had banked £202,500, and is now provisionally ranked as the world number two after an incredible maiden season on tour.

'The Nuke', who turned 17 in January, has won the Grand Slam of Darts and the non-ranking Premier League event.

He takes on Ryan Joyce in the fourth round of this year's World Darts Championship on Monday night, having already defeated qualifiers Ryan Meikle and Ian White.

Littler's participation in the tournament means he is exempt from a long-standing PDC rule.

Any person under the age of 18 who wishes to attend the darts has to be accompanied to the arena by at least one adult.

The PDC's official website states that all fans attending the Palace 'are accompanied by at least one adult or support bubble'.

Littler will not turn 18 until after the tournament finishes, which perhaps best sums up his incredible rise through the sport.

'The Nuke' is guaranteed finish the tournament as at least the world number four given his performances over the calendar year, and he should progress further throughout 2025 as he is only defending £2,500 prize money for much of the season.

Luke Littler finished as runner-up in the 2024 World Darts Championship (Image: Getty)

His first experience of defending significant prize money - which counts towards the two-year Order of Merit system which makes up the rankings - will be in the 2026 World Darts Championship.

That £200,000 in earnings from the 2024 edition will be removed from the rankings as soon as the tournament gets underway, with anything Littler earns from then on being added.

For instance, if Littler was to win the final in 2026 he would collect the full £500,000, which would then be added to his new ranking - so an additional £300,000 on what he had earned prior to the tournament.