In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision meets personality, Luke Littler has once again proven he’s as sharp with his words as he is with his arrows. The 18-year-old darts prodigy, known as “The Nuke,” recently unleashed a playful jab at his rival and friend Luke Humphries, poking fun at Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League. Littler, a die-hard Manchester United supporter, couldn’t resist teasing Humphries, a lifelong Leeds fan, about the Whites’ return to the top flight. “He’s been chuffed to bits with them coming back up,” Littler chuckled, recalling their banter. “I just said to him, ‘You’re going back down next year mate, enjoy it while you can.’”
The exchange, dripping with the competitive camaraderie that defines their relationship, comes on the heels of Leeds United’s triumphant Championship campaign. Under manager Daniel Farke, the Peacocks clinched the second-tier title with a dramatic late victory over Plymouth Argyle, amassing an impressive 100 points—a rare feat in the Championship. The win secured their return to the Premier League for the 2025-26 season, reigniting one of football’s fiercest rivalries with Manchester United. Littler, reveling in the moment, didn’t stop at teasing Humphries’ club. When asked about Manchester United’s prospects against Leeds, he quipped with unwavering confidence, “Easy six points.” His bold prediction underscores the deep-rooted animosity between the two clubs, a rivalry that has been dormant since Leeds’ last Premier League stint ended in 2023.
Littler and Humphries, both titans of the darts world, share a rivalry that’s as thrilling off the oche as it is on it. Littler, the reigning PDC World Darts Champion, has enjoyed a stellar 2025, adding the Grand Slam of Darts, World Series of Darts, and UK Open to his trophy cabinet. His meteoric rise, which began with a stunning World Championship final appearance at 16, has made him a global sensation, with a net worth now exceeding £1.5 million. Humphries, the world No. 1 and a former world champion, is no stranger to Littler’s taunts. A proud Leeds supporter—his name famously an acronym for “Leeds United, Kings of Europe”—Humphries has often worn his club’s colors on stage, most memorably during a 2024 Premier League win in Leeds, where he donned a Leeds-themed shirt and soaked in chants of “Marching On Together.”
Their darts battles are legendary, marked by blistering pace and unrelenting quality. “We just love playing each other, the pace and quality of it,” Littler said, reflecting on their competitive chemistry. Their most recent clash in Newcastle saw Littler dominate Humphries 6-1 in the Premier League final, extending his lead at the top of the standings. Yet, Humphries has had his moments, including a thrilling 6-5 victory over Michael van Gerwen in Leeds in 2024, a night he called “one of my greatest experiences in darts.” The Leeds crowd, fiercely loyal to their hometown hero, jeered Littler, a Manchester United fan, throughout that event, adding fuel to their friendly feud.
Leeds United’s promotion, sealed by Manor Solomon’s late strike against Plymouth, has set the stage for a renewed chapter in the club’s storied rivalry with Manchester United. The last time the two met in the Premier League, matches were fiercely contested, though Leeds haven’t bested United in league play since their iconic 2010 FA Cup upset. Farke, who dedicated the promotion to his squad’s resilience, now faces the daunting task of ensuring Leeds avoid the fate of many promoted sides—immediate relegation. Littler’s cheeky prediction that Leeds will “go back down” reflects a broader sentiment among rivals who doubt the Whites’ staying power, especially given Manchester United’s recent struggles under new manager Ruben Amorim.
For Littler, the banter is personal as well as professional. A passionate United fan, he’s been vocal about his club’s fortunes, even messaging United midfielder Mason Mount to wish him well after an injury. His love for United was on full display when he paraded the PDC World Championship trophy at Old Trafford, though he lamented the team’s 3-0 loss to Brighton that day. Humphries, meanwhile, has deep ties to Leeds, having visited their training ground and met Farke, who requested a photo for his darts-loving son. “One of the most pleasant men I’ve ever met,” Humphries said of the Leeds boss.
As the darts season heads toward its climax, with Littler and Humphries set to clash in upcoming Premier League nights, their off-stage banter adds an extra layer of intrigue. Littler’s jab about Leeds’ fleeting Premier League stay may sting Humphries, but it’s all part of the game. With both players at the peak of their powers and their football allegiances fueling the fire, fans can expect more than just darts when these two share the stage. For now, Littler’s parting shot—“enjoy it while you can”—hangs in the air, a challenge as much to Leeds United as to his friend and rival.
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