In a thrilling night of Premier League Darts in Manchester, the darting world held its breath as teenage sensation Luke Littler came agonizingly close to etching his name further into the sport’s history books. The 18-year-old prodigy, already a household name for his meteoric rise, narrowly missed a nine-darter in a high-stakes quarter-final clash against Gerwyn Price, leaving fans and players alike buzzing with excitement and disbelief.
The atmosphere at the AO Arena was electric as Littler, the reigning world champion, stepped up to the oche. Known for his fearless style and pinpoint accuracy, Littler had already captivated the crowd with his trademark flair. In the seventh leg of the match, he ignited the Manchester faithful by firing two consecutive 180s, setting the stage for a potential perfect leg. With the crowd roaring, he lined up the final shot—a double 12—to complete the nine-darter. The tension was palpable as Littler took aim, but the dart wired the target, missing by the slimmest of margins. The arena erupted in a mix of gasps and applause, acknowledging the sheer audacity of his attempt. Littler, unfazed, wrapped up the leg in 12 darts, maintaining his composure in a moment that showcased both his talent and his resilience.
“I thought it was in for a split second,” Littler admitted after the match, his boyish grin betraying the weight of the moment. “You just have to move on, don’t you? There’s more legs to play, more matches to win.” His words reflected the maturity that has made him a standout, even among darts’ elite.
The near-miss wasn’t the only headline of the night. Gerwyn Price, Littler’s opponent, responded with a moment of brilliance, landing a sensational nine-darter of his own in the same leg. Price, a seasoned veteran, celebrated wildly after nailing treble 19, treble 20, and double 12 to complete the perfect leg, a feat that earned him a set of 18-carat gold darts worth £30,000 from the tournament sponsors. “It’s a special feeling, especially in a match like that,” Price said, his voice tinged with pride. “Luke pushed me all the way, and to hit that nine-darter in front of this crowd—it’s what you dream of.”
The quarter-final was a microcosm of Littler’s growing rivalry with Price, who had held a 6-0 record against the youngster heading into the night. Littler, however, turned the tables, securing a 6-3 victory that marked his first win over the Welshman in seven attempts. His performance was a blend of power scoring and clinical finishing, with five maximums and a ton-plus average that underscored his dominance. The win propelled Littler into the semi-finals, where he faced world number one Luke Humphries in another blockbuster showdown.
Despite the loss, Price’s nine-darter added to the night’s historic feel, marking the fourth perfect leg of the 2025 Premier League season. Earlier in the campaign, Humphries and Rob Cross had achieved the feat in Brighton, while Littler himself had delivered one in Cardiff. The frequency of nine-darters this year speaks to the sport’s evolving intensity, with players pushing boundaries like never before.
Littler’s journey in Manchester didn’t end with the quarter-final triumph. In the semi-finals, he went toe-to-toe with Humphries, who had dismantled Stephen Bunting with a jaw-dropping 118.43 average earlier in the evening. The clash between the two Lukes was a spectacle, with Humphries racing to a 2-0 lead before Littler battled back, leveling the score. The match swung on fine margins, but Humphries capitalized on a rare mistake from Littler to secure a 6-4 victory, halting Littler’s pursuit of a record fifth nightly win.
The night culminated with Nathan Aspinall claiming his first Premier League victory of 2025, defeating Humphries 6-4 in the final. Aspinall, buoyed by the support of a home crowd that included Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, delivered a performance that vaulted him into the play-off places. “This one’s for Manchester,” Aspinall declared, raising the trophy to a deafening roar.
For Littler, the night was a mix of what could have been and what still lies ahead. His near-nine-darter and victory over Price only added to his burgeoning legacy, reinforcing his status as darts’ brightest star. With the Premier League season nearing its climax, Littler remains a frontrunner for the play-offs at London’s O2 Arena, where he aims to defend his title. “I’m just focused on keeping my game tight and getting to the O2,” he said, eyes already fixed on the next challenge.
At just 18, Littler continues to redefine what’s possible in darts, blending raw talent with an unshakable belief that captivates fans worldwide. Manchester may have seen him fall short of perfection, but it also witnessed a player destined for greatness, one dart at a time.