In the charged atmosphere of Alexandra Palace on December 29, 2025, defending champion Luke Littler reminded the darts world why he’s one of the sport’s most electrifying talents, edging out 2018 winner Rob Cross 4-2 to storm into the PDC World Darts Championship quarter-finals. Yet it wasn’t just the victory that made headlines—it was Littler’s fiery post-match exchange with a hostile crowd, revealing the human side of the prodigy often portrayed as unflappable.
The match itself was a high-octane thriller. Littler, world number one and reigning champion, took the first set 3-1, but Cross fought back to level at 1-1, breaking Littler’s throw and keeping the tension high. The teenager responded in stunning fashion in the third set, averaging 125.25—the highest of the tournament—rolling off legs in 13, 11, and 12 darts with flawless checkouts. Cross wasn’t done, clawing back to 3-2 and even holding a dart to force a decider in the sixth set.
As the atmosphere turned febrile, boos rang out whenever Littler missed, while cheers erupted for Cross and chants for other stars like Michael van Gerwen echoed through the arena. Undeterred, Littler averaged over 106 for the match, sealing the win with poise under pressure. “I just had to hold, Rob broke me and I had to break him back,” he later reflected.
When he landed the final dart, Littler spun toward the crowd and shouted “NOW WHAT?” twice, drawing louder boos. His defiance continued into the post-match interview: “I’m not bothered. Really, I’m not bothered. I’m really not bothered. Can I just say one thing? You guys pay for tickets that are paying for my prize money, so thank you: thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me. Thank you. COME ON!”
Once a beloved teenage underdog, Littler at 18 has now become a target for fans craving upsets. The crowd’s rowdier, more tourist-driven behavior—including cheering missed doubles—could have rattled many, but Littler thrived, proving he’s a champion with heart and fire. “No-one wanted me to win, but I proved them wrong yet again,” he added. He now faces either Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals, his path to history clearer after surviving one of his toughest tests.
Elsewhere, 20-year-old debutant Charlie Manby continued his fairy-tale run, advancing to the last 16 with a gritty 4-2 win over fan favorite “Rapid” Ricky Evans. Nicknamed “Champagne” for his composure and rapid-fire style, Manby has shocked higher-ranked opponents throughout the tournament. After the match, he warned the darts world: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m feeling it all now… The doubles were frustrating me, but I recovered. Ricky is a funny character, but you could see his demeanor changing. You learn a lot, but I showed I got a lot of bottle.”
Manby’s journey has been one of the tournament’s breakout stories. After stunning Cameron Menzies in his opener and breezing past Adam Sevada, he now faces European champion Gian van Veen in a mouthwatering tie. At just 20, with a record-breaking Development Tour average behind him, Manby embodies the fearless new generation challenging the established order.
As the championship hurtles toward its climax, moments like Littler’s clash with the crowd and Manby’s rise highlight the drama, unpredictability, and raw emotion that make darts so captivating. Alexandra Palace remains the epicenter of sporting theater, where talent, tension, and passion collide in unforgettable fashion.