London’s Hyde Park is set to transform into a darting arena this summer, as the inaugural Hyde Park Darts Championship brings the sport’s biggest stars to the iconic Great Oak Stage on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Leading the charge is 18-year-old sensation Luke “The Nuke” Littler, the reigning World Darts Champion, whose meteoric rise has electrified the sport. Joined by world No. 1 Luke Humphries, three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, and former Women’s World Matchplay champion Fallon Sherrock, Littler promises to deliver a thrilling showdown in the heart of the capital. With tickets already in high demand, this Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Pro-Am tournament, part of the BST Hyde Park Open House festival, is shaping up to be a cultural highlight of the summer.
The event, running from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., will see these darting titans compete in a knockout tournament, followed by a Pro-Am doubles event featuring celebrity guests Olly Murs, Roman Kemp, and former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin. “We’re really looking forward to putting on a world-class darts show as part of this year’s BST Hyde Park Open House Festival,” said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter. “It’s an iconic part of British Summer Time, and darts is an iconic part of British culture, so to bring the two together is a really exciting concept, and we can’t wait for what will be a fun, entertaining evening.” The festive atmosphere, complete with fancy dress and bierkeller-style trestle tables, mirrors the electric vibe of Alexandra Palace, ensuring a raucous experience for fans.
Littler, who captured global attention with his run to the 2023/24 World Championship final at age 16, has solidified his status as darts’ biggest draw. His 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular, with 10 titles, including the Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts, and World Series events in Bahrain and Poland. His crowning moment came in January 2025, when he defeated Michael van Gerwen to claim the World Championship at Alexandra Palace, cementing his nickname, “The Nuke,” and inspiring a new generation of fans. “It shows where darts is positioned in the cultural landscape now,” Porter noted, crediting Littler for making the sport “cool to Gen Z” with his authentic, everyman appeal.
Joining Littler is Luke Humphries, known as “Cool Hand Luke,” who tops the PDC Order of Merit after a stellar run since 2023, including victories at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals. Michael van Gerwen, or “Mighty Mike,” brings a decade of dominance, with three world titles and a reputation as one of the game’s all-time greats. Fallon Sherrock, dubbed “Queen of the Palace,” adds star power as a trailblazer for women in darts, having made history at the World Championships. The celebrity guests—Murs, Kemp, and Dublin—will add a playful twist, teaming up with the pros for the doubles event, though whether Murs will throw darts or sing remains a delightful mystery.
Tickets for this landmark event went on general sale on May 2, 2025, at 10 a.m. BST, with prices starting at £45.45 for standard entry, which includes access to The Summer Garden, hosting BREW//LDN, the UK’s largest craft drinks festival featuring over 1,000 craft beers, ciders, and spirits. Amex customers had access to a pre-sale on April 29, while AEG, Royal Parks, and Westminster offered a sponsor pre-sale on May 1. With seated tickets selling out rapidly, only standing tickets remain on platforms like AXS and Ticketmaster, though resale options are available on verified sites like StubHub, starting at £108. “It’s an opportunity to watch the best players in the world and with all the elements that you see on TV: fancy dress, 180 cards, and a few drinks,” Porter said, emphasizing the event’s vibrant atmosphere.
Set against the backdrop of BST Hyde Park’s star-studded concert series, featuring headliners like Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young, the darts championship stands out as a bold fusion of sport and entertainment. Doors for the beer festival open at 4 p.m., with the darts arena welcoming fans from 5 p.m., followed by a half-hour DJ set to close the night. Despite concerns from Humphries about an overcrowded schedule—“I’m playing too much,” he said after a recent event—the excitement around this unique tournament is palpable. For Littler, who recently hinted at boycotting German events after a loss, this London spectacle offers a chance to shine on home soil. With thousands of fans expected, the Hyde Park Darts Championship promises an unforgettable summer evening, blending elite sport, celebrity flair, and British revelry.
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