The darts world is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025 Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters kicks off on June 6 at Forum Copenhagen, and all eyes are on 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler, who has been named the pre-tournament favorite to claim his third World Series of Darts title. The reigning world champion, known as “The Nuke,” is set to make his Nordic Darts Masters debut against Swedish newcomer Viktor Tingstrom in the first round, with bookmakers at Mr Vegas listing him at 33/25 odds to lift the trophy. Littler’s meteoric rise, marked by victories in Bahrain and Poland in 2024 and the World Series of Darts Finals, has cemented his status as a generational talent, and his arrival in Copenhagen promises a thrilling showcase of skill and swagger.
The two-day tournament, running June 6-7, features a 16-player field pitting eight PDC superstars against eight top Nordic and Baltic talents. Littler, the world No. 2, headlines a stacked lineup that includes world No. 1 Luke Humphries, defending champion Gerwyn Price, and former world champion Rob Cross. His first-round matchup against Tingstrom, a Nordic debutant, is heavily tilted in his favor, with odds of 1/25 to advance. Littler’s 2024 campaign was a breakout, highlighted by a historic nine-darter in Bahrain and a runner-up finish at the PDC World Darts Championship. Despite a recent loss in the Premier League final to Humphries, Littler remains confident. “I take every competition as it comes, just look at it game by game, and see if I come out the winner,” he said, reflecting on his approach after his Bahrain triumph. His blistering form, leading the field in averages and 180s, makes him a formidable force.
Humphries, fresh off his Premier League triumph, is the second favorite at 7/2, facing a tough opener against Latvia’s top-ranked player, Madars Razma. “You can’t win all these titles and not be hungry,” Humphries declared, emphasizing his drive to add a second World Series title to his resume. The 30-year-old, who whitewashed Denmark’s Benjamin Drue Reus in last year’s Nordic Masters, is poised to leverage his consistency, though Razma’s familiarity with the Forum Copenhagen crowd could pose a challenge. Meanwhile, Price, the 2024 champion, opens his title defense against Norway’s Cor Dekker, a recent PDC Tour Card holder who made history with a nine-darter in 2024. “It’s always good to go back to any venue as defending champion,” Price said, exuding confidence. “I am in some good form.”
The draw features other tantalizing matchups. Top seed Stephen Bunting, the Bahrain Darts Masters champion, faces Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak, while Rob Cross, the 2024 US Darts Masters winner, takes on Andreas Harrysson, who stunned Michael Smith at the recent European Darts Open. “I’m happy for Gezzy,” Cross said graciously after losing to Price in last year’s final, but his 108.19 average against Jeffrey de Graaf in 2024 signals his intent to reclaim glory. Nathan Aspinall, riding momentum from his European Darts Open victory, meets Denmark’s Benjamin Reus, while Jonny Clayton, making his first World Series appearance in 18 months, battles Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas. Chris Dobey, a late replacement for Michael van Gerwen, opens against de Graaf.
The tournament’s format, with first-round matches on Friday and quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final on Saturday, promises high-octane drama, broadcast live on ITV4 in the UK and via DAZN, Viaplay, and PDCTV globally. Copenhagen’s passionate crowd, which roared Price to victory last year, adds to the electric atmosphere. Littler’s absence from the 2024 event due to family commitments only heightens the excitement for his debut, with fans eager to see if he can replicate his 170 finish and nine-darter heroics from Bahrain. “I’m just very happy to get over the line against a very good Michael van Gerwen,” Littler said after that win, a testament to his ability to topple giants.
Despite his youth, Littler’s composure under pressure has drawn comparisons to darts legends like Phil Taylor, who also hit a World Series nine-darter. His 10 titles in 2024, including the Grand Slam of Darts, showcase a maturity beyond his years. However, the field is fierce, with Bunting at 11/1, Cross at 13/1, and Aspinall at 14/1 all capable of upsets. Nordic hopefuls like de Graaf (44/1) and Razma (69/1) aim to capitalize on home support, but Littler’s record-breaking set average of 140.91 at the 2024 World Championship underscores his dominance. As the darts world converges on Copenhagen, the stage is set for “The Nuke” to either cement his legacy or face a spirited challenge from a hungry field vying for the £60,000 prize fund and World Series glory.
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