As the darts world converges on New York City for the 2025 US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden, the sport’s brightest stars, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, are making waves both on and off the oche. The electrifying atmosphere of The Theater at Madison Square Garden, packed with enthusiastic fans donning costumes and chanting for every 180, underscores the growing appetite for darts in the United States. Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy nicknamed “The Nuke,” and Humphries, the world No. 1 and reigning PDC World Champion, have voiced strong support for expanding darts events across the Atlantic, seeing the US as a fertile ground for the sport’s global ascent.
Littler, fresh off a family holiday in Spain, arrived in New York brimming with confidence for his first appearance since a disappointing World Cup of Darts exit alongside Humphries. “I’m feeling very confident,” he declared before his opening match against American tour card holder Jules van Dongen. “It’s great to be back. Darts is getting bigger in the States, so I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere.” His words proved prophetic as he dazzled the crowd with a 6-1 victory, sealing the match with a spectacular 120 checkout on three double 20s. The performance, marked by his signature flair, sent a clear message: Littler is ready to ignite darts fever in America.
Humphries, who battled back from a 4-3 deficit to defeat Stowe Buntz 6-4 in his opener, echoed Littler’s enthusiasm for growing the sport stateside. “It’s an amazing venue—it honestly never gets boring,” he said of Madison Square Garden, marking his third appearance at the iconic arena. “This is my third year here, and it still feels just as iconic. That first year, I wasn’t anywhere near being seen as a superstar. Now, things are different.” Humphries, who clinched the US Darts Masters title on June 28, 2025, after a thrilling final against Nathan Aspinall, sees events like these as pivotal. “With the United States a hotbed for sports, darts could potentially grow to the level of some of the major sports in the country,” he noted, praising the vibrant crowd and the upset victories by American players like Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon over top seeds.
The US Darts Masters, part of the World Series of Darts, has become a showcase for the sport’s potential in America. The event, which sold out both nights at Madison Square Garden, reflects a surge in interest, with viewership for darts tripling on Sky Sports since 2020 and betting on the sport doubling between 2022 and 2024, rivaling tennis and cricket. Littler’s meteoric rise has been a catalyst, with his 2024 PDC World Championship final against Humphries drawing nearly five million viewers, the highest for any non-football event on Sky Sports. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said a prominent darts promoter, reflecting on Littler’s impact at just 16 during his debut run to the 2024 final.
Both players have faced their share of challenges this year. Their unexpected early exit at the 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, where they were defeated 8-4 by Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko, drew criticism from some quarters. Yet, Humphries defended their approach, explaining their individual routines: “I told Luke [Littler] to stick to his routine. No point changing something that works. He arrives two hours before games—I need a bit more practice, so I get there earlier.” Littler, who faced boos from the German crowd, took a break after the loss, skipping Players Championship events in Leicester to recharge. “People need to cut him a bit of slack,” Humphries urged. “He’s a great young pioneer for the sport, and we should be celebrating that more.”
Their advocacy for more US events aligns with the sport’s global ambitions. Littler, who won the 2025 PDC World Championship at 17, breaking Michael van Gerwen’s record as the youngest champion, sees America as a key frontier. His four televised nine-dart finishes in 2024, including one in the Premier League final against Humphries, have made him a global ambassador for darts. Humphries, with eight PDC major titles, including the 2024 World Championship and Premier League, believes the US market’s passion for sports can elevate darts to new heights. “It’s a great stepping stone,” said North American champion Matt Campbell, noting the impact of local players upsetting top seeds like Rob Cross and Stephen Bunting at the US Darts Masters.
As Littler and Humphries prepare for the World Matchplay in July, their performances in New York—Littler’s 105 average against van Dongen and Humphries’ clutch double-eight finish against Aspinall—signal their readiness to lead darts’ charge in America. “Darts is changing,” said a fellow professional, reflecting on the sport’s evolution. With Littler and Humphries at the forefront, the US could soon become a darting powerhouse, fueled by their talent, charisma, and vision for a bigger stage.
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