The Theater at Madison Square Garden is poised to erupt in excitement as the 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters kicks off on June 27-28, transforming New York City into the epicenter of darts fever. At the heart of this electrifying World Series of Darts event is 18-year-old Luke Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion, who enters as the 2/1 favorite to claim his first US Darts Masters title. Fresh off a meteoric rise that saw him clinch the 2025 World Darts Championship at just 17 years and 347 days, Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” is ready to dazzle American audiences with his pinpoint precision and unshakable confidence. With a star-studded 16-player field, a £100,000 prize pot, and a raucous crowd awaiting, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the Big Apple.
Littler’s journey to darts stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. From throwing darts in diapers at 18 months to becoming the youngest PDC World Champion in January 2025, his ascent has captivated fans worldwide. His 2024 season was a breakout, with 11 titles, including the Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Series Finals, plus a record-breaking six nightly wins in the 2025 Premier League. Despite falling 11-8 to Luke Humphries in the Premier League final, Littler’s dominance was undeniable, highlighted by a televised nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen. “I couldn’t wait to get on that stage tonight,” Littler said after his 2024 US Darts Masters debut, where he obliterated Matt Campbell 6-0 in under ten minutes with a 103.66 average. “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.”
The 2025 tournament, the seventh edition of the US Darts Masters, pits eight PDC superstars against eight North American talents. Littler opens against PDC Tour Card holder Jules van Dongen, a Dutch-American player battling dartitis and adapting to throwing with his opposite hand. “I’m Jeff Smith, I’m not worried about Luke Littler. He’s a generational talent, but I just have to worry about what I do,” said Canadian Jeff Smith, who upset Michael Smith in 2024 and could face Littler in the quarter-finals. Defending champion Rob Cross, a 14/1 outsider, takes on American No. 1 Danny Lauby, while world No. 1 Luke Humphries faces Grand Slam quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz. “I’m expecting a tough game,” Humphries said, anticipating his clash with Buntz after a 6-0 rout of David Cameron in 2024.
The first round, starting Friday at 7:00 PM EST, features best-of-11 legs matches, with top seed Stephen Bunting, a 2025 Bahrain and Nordic Darts Masters winner, facing Jason Brandon, and three-time champion Michael van Gerwen taking on CDC Cross-Border Challenge winner Leonard Gates. “Rob Cross is a fantastic dart player. He’s probably one of the most underestimated players on the tour,” van Gerwen said, looking ahead to a potential quarter-final clash after Cross’s 8-7 thriller over Gerwyn Price in 2024. Price, a 5/1 contender, meets Adam Sevada, while Nathan Aspinall and debutant Damon Heta face Matt Campbell and Jim Long, respectively. Saturday’s schedule includes the bet365 North American Championship at 1:00 PM EST, offering a World Darts Championship spot, followed by the US Darts Masters quarter-finals, semi-finals (best-of-13), and final (best-of-15) at 7:00 PM EST, with the winner earning £30,000.
Littler’s 2024 US Darts Masters run ended in the semi-finals against Price, who took a 5-2 lead before Littler mounted a comeback, only to miss a crucial 111 checkout. “Littler failed to hit the mark with a dart that could have potentially sent him to the final,” noted observers, as Price sealed a 108 checkout to advance. Cross ultimately claimed the title, saying, “It’s absolutely amazing. I feel like I’ve played well all year. Darts is as big as it’s ever been.” Littler’s flair, from his WWE-inspired walk-on to Cody Rhodes’ “Kingdom” in 2024, has made him a fan favorite, with posts on X buzzing about his 2/1 odds. As he aims to add the US Darts Masters to his trophy cabinet, Littler’s blend of youthful exuberance and veteran-like composure makes him the man to beat in New York.
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