In a thrilling showdown at London’s O2 Arena, Luke Humphries, the world’s top-ranked darts player, clinched his maiden Premier League Darts title, defeating reigning champion Luke Littler in an electrifying 11-8 final. The victory, which marked the completion of Humphries’ darting triple crown—alongside his 2024 World Championship and World Matchplay titles—cemented his status as one of the sport’s elite. Far from resting on his laurels, the 30-year-old expressed a burning desire to continue his ascent, driven by a relentless hunger for more success.
Humphries’ journey to the Premier League crown was no easy feat. Entering the finals as a slight underdog against the prodigious Littler, who had dominated the league phase with a record-breaking 45 points and six nightly wins, Humphries faced intense pressure. The early stages of the final saw Littler surge to a 3-0 lead, capitalizing on Humphries’ missed doubles with a clinical 180 and a 14-darter. However, Humphries, known as ‘Cool Hand Luke’ for his composure, staged a remarkable comeback. After the break, he found his rhythm, breaking Littler’s throw and stringing together four consecutive legs to take a 7-5 lead. With a match average of 97 and five 180s, Humphries sealed the victory on double 10, claiming the £275,000 prize and etching his name among darts’ immortals.
“You can’t become lazy,” Humphries declared post-match, his eyes still glistening with emotion. “I hope my Premier League win drives me and makes me hungry to win more. I’m going to be working hard to get better and I’ll make some tweaks to my set-up, which is going to help me improve.” His words reflect a player acutely aware of the sport’s evolving landscape, where young talents like Littler are pushing the boundaries. “I’m still young, so I’ve got the chance to change things and get better. I feel like I need to, because if I don’t, the younger generation are going to come through and take over.”
The final was a testament to the burgeoning rivalry between Humphries and Littler, who have now faced off 23 times in just 18 months, with Littler holding a slight 13-10 edge. Their clashes, including two world finals and now two Premier League finals, have electrified audiences and elevated darts’ global appeal. Despite Littler’s early dominance, Humphries’ resilience shone through, avenging his 2024 Premier League final loss to the 18-year-old sensation. “This one means the world to me, that was the one I was missing. It was the one I wanted, I have done it now,” Humphries said, paying tribute to darts legend Phil Taylor, whose advice proved pivotal during his campaign.
The emotional weight of the victory was palpable. Less than two months ago, Humphries admitted to feeling “emotionless” on the oche, drained by a grueling schedule that had turned darts into a “chore.” Yet, standing triumphant before a sold-out O2 crowd, his joy was undeniable. The win not only completed his triple crown but also underscored his ability to overcome personal struggles and intense competition. Humphries’ darts, crafted by Welsh engineer Lee Huxtable, played a crucial role, their front-weighted design allowing perfect board angles to maximize his scoring prowess.
As Humphries looks ahead, his focus is already shifting to the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen, where he, Littler, and Gerwyn Price will compete just days after the Premier League finale. The event promises another chapter in their rivalry, with Price defending his 2024 title. Humphries also has his sights set on the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, where he and Littler will team up to represent England, a partnership Humphries believes will be “incredibly tough” for opponents to crack. “In five years’ time, there could be about 10 players as good as me and Luke,” he cautioned, acknowledging the sport’s relentless emergence of new talent.
For Littler, the defeat was a rare setback in a season where he topped the Premier League table and earned £60,000 in nightly bonuses. Despite struggling with his doubles in the final, his performance underscored his extraordinary potential. “No one likes losing,” Littler admitted, but his focus is already on regrouping for future challenges. The duo’s rivalry, combined with their upcoming collaboration, promises to keep darts fans on the edge of their seats.
Humphries’ triumph is more than a personal milestone; it’s a beacon for darts’ bright future. As he joins an elite group—Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson—in achieving the triple crown, his hunger for more suggests this is only the beginning. With tweaks to his game and a steely determination, Humphries is poised to dominate, even as the next generation nips at his heels.
Leave a Reply