The darts world is buzzing with anticipation as Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy known as “The Nuke,” prepares to take the stage at the 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters in New York City. Set for June 27-28 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, this seventh staging of the prestigious Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournament promises high-stakes action with a £100,000 prize pool on the line. Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion, is determined to claim the £30,000 top prize and add another chapter to his meteoric rise, following a thrilling yet bittersweet 2024 campaign at the same event.
Littler’s journey to New York comes on the heels of a rollercoaster season. At just 17, he clinched the 2025 PDC World Championship, defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest world champion in darts history at 17 years and 347 days. His £500,000 prize from that victory propelled him to a career-high world No. 2 ranking, with over £1 million in earnings on the PDC Order of Merit. However, recent setbacks, including a shock second-round exit at the World Cup of Darts alongside teammate Luke Humphries, have fueled his hunger for redemption. “I am going to try and break my own records next season,” Littler declared after a recent defeat, showcasing his relentless ambition to dominate the sport.
The US Darts Masters, the fourth event in the 2025 World Series of Darts, features a formidable field of 16 players: eight elite PDC stars and eight North American representatives. Littler joins world No. 1 Luke Humphries, three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, defending champion Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, and Damon Heta, who is making his World Series debut. They face North American talents, including PDC Tour Card holders Matt Campbell, Jim Long, Danny Lauby, and Jules van Dongen, alongside Championship Darts Corporation qualifiers Leonard Gates, Adam Sevada, Jason Brandon, and Stowe Buntz. The tournament’s format sees first-round matches on Friday, June 27, as best-of-11 legs, with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final—best-of-15 legs—on Saturday, June 28.
The £100,000 prize fund, a significant increase from last year’s £60,000, offers £30,000 to the winner, £15,000 to the runner-up, £10,000 for each semi-finalist, £5,000 for quarter-finalists, and £1,750 for first-round exits. Littler, who reached the semi-finals in his 2024 US Darts Masters debut, is a favorite to go further this time. Last year, he powered through Canadian Matt Campbell in under ten minutes with a 103.66 average, only to fall to Gerwyn Price in a dramatic 7-6 semi-final. “I couldn’t wait to get on that stage tonight. I felt really comfortable, everything just went well and I can’t wait to play tomorrow now,” Littler said after his 2024 first-round win, reflecting his excitement for the Madison Square Garden spotlight. He added, “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.”
Littler’s 2024 US debut was a spectacle, showcasing his raw talent and composure. After crushing Campbell and Jeff Smith, he pushed Price to a deciding leg, narrowly missing a match dart on tops before Price sealed victory with a 108 finish. Rob Cross ultimately claimed the 2024 title, edging Price 8-7 in a thrilling final. This year, Littler faces a stacked field, with Humphries, fresh off his Premier League victory, defending their partnership against criticism. “There was a lot of talk about me and Luke not being a team, but coming from the horse’s mouth, I can assure you we were a team,” Humphries said, countering Price’s claim that England’s World Cup demise was evident from the start.
Off the oche, Littler’s life is as vibrant as his game. Accompanied by his new girlfriend, Faith Millar, a 19-year-old beautician from Wigan, Littler has been enjoying New York’s summer vibe. A recent Instagram story captured the couple soaking up the sun, with Millar’s arm around the sunglasses-sporting star. Their relationship, public since May, has seen Millar supporting Littler at events like the Premier League final, where she joined his parents in the VIP section. Littler’s global appeal extends beyond darts, with brand deals like BoohooMan and a new McDonald’s burger launch adding to his £600,000 net worth.
As Littler steps into The Theater, the weight of expectation is immense. His record-breaking 140.91 set average at the 2025 World Championship and three televised nine-darters underscore his potential to dominate. Yet, the US Darts Masters presents a unique challenge, blending elite PDC stars with hungry North American players. With Millar’s support and a burning desire to silence doubters, Littler is poised to make a statement. Will “The Nuke” detonate in New York and claim the £30,000 prize, or will veterans like Cross or Price steal the show? The darts world awaits an electrifying showdown at Madison Square Garden.
Leave a Reply