At just 18 years old, Luke Littler, the newly crowned PDC World Darts Champion, is gearing up to take the darts world by storm once again as he headlines the 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters in New York City. Scheduled for June 27-28 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, the event promises to be a thrilling showcase of precision and charisma, with Littler returning as a global superstar after his electrifying debut last year. Fresh off his historic victory at the 2025 PDC World Championship, where he became the youngest champion ever, Littler’s appearance is set to draw massive crowds eager to witness “The Nuke” in action.
Littler’s rise to darts immortality has been nothing short of meteoric. In January 2025, the Warrington native defeated three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 at Alexandra Palace, clinching the Sid Waddell Trophy at 17 years and 347 days old. His record-breaking performance, which included a staggering 76 maximum 180s and a jaw-dropping 140.91 set average against Ryan Meikle, cemented his status as a generational talent. Reflecting on his ambitions, Littler expressed unwavering confidence: “Deep down, if I want to try and break the record of Phil Taylor’s then I’m sure I’ve got the ability to. If I want it, I’m sure I’ll do it.” This bold mindset drives him as he prepares to compete against a star-studded field in New York.
The 2025 US Darts Masters will feature eight PDC elite players facing off against eight North American representatives in a high-stakes, two-day tournament. Joining Littler are world No. 1 Luke Humphries, former US Darts Masters champions Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall, reigning champion Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters winner Stephen Bunting, and Australian debutant Damon Heta. The North American contingent includes Canadian stars Matt Campbell and Jim Long, alongside American players Jules van Dongen, Danny Lauby, and Leonard Gates, with three additional qualifiers to be confirmed. Littler’s history with Campbell is particularly notable—last year, he obliterated the Canadian 6-0 in under 10 minutes with a 103.66 average, declaring, “I couldn’t wait to get on that stage tonight. I felt really comfortable, everything just went well.”
Littler’s 2024 US Darts Masters debut was a spectacle, marked by a US-inspired walk-on to Pitbull’s “Greenlight,” a nod to his childhood love for WWE’s WrestleMania. The vibrant New York crowd embraced him, and he reciprocated their energy, later saying, “With the amount of top athletes that have performed here, it would mean the world to lift this trophy, and hopefully I can go all the way.” Though he fell short of the title, losing to eventual champion Rob Cross, his performance captivated fans and set the stage for his return as a world champion. Cross, who edged out Gerwyn Price 8-7 in the 2024 final, will be a formidable opponent, but Littler’s recent triumphs suggest he’s ready to challenge for the crown.
The event, part of the PDC’s World Series of Darts, is a celebration of the sport’s global appeal. Following tournaments in Bahrain and Den Bosch, the New York spectacle will be followed by the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen and the Poland Darts Masters in Gliwice. Each event pits PDC superstars against regional talents, creating electric matchups. Littler’s previous World Series success, including a nine-darter en route to the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters title, fuels anticipation for his performance in New York. Humphries, a consistent rival, expressed his excitement for the event: “It’s always great to be back here… I would love to kick off 2025 in perfect fashion by winning this title.”
Beyond the oche, Littler’s cultural impact is undeniable. With 1.9 million Instagram followers and endorsements from figures like David Beckham, he’s transcended darts, becoming a mainstream sensation. His 2024 season, which included Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts titles, saw him top Google’s UK athlete search rankings, outpacing global stars like Simone Biles. As he steps onto the Madison Square Garden stage, Littler carries the weight of expectation but thrives under pressure. For fans, the 2025 US Darts Masters isn’t just a tournament—it’s a chance to witness a prodigy rewriting the sport’s future.