London’s Hyde Park transformed into a darting spectacle on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, as the inaugural Hyde Park Darts Championship brought together top PDC stars and celebrities for a thrilling outdoor showdown. Among the standout pairings was 18-year-old world champion Luke “The Nuke” Littler, who teamed up with BBC’s The One Show presenter and avid darts fan Roman Kemp. The event, part of the BST Hyde Park Open House summer festival, drew thousands to the iconic Great Oak Stage, blending high-stakes darts with a festive atmosphere. Despite their spirited performance, Littler and Kemp fell short in a dramatic upset, while Luke Humphries claimed the professional singles crown, marking a memorable night in the capital.
The Hyde Park Darts Championship featured a unique Pro-Am doubles tournament alongside a four-player professional knockout event. Littler, partnered with Kemp, faced off against women’s darts trailblazer Fallon Sherrock and her teammate, actor Joe Swash, in the semi-finals. The match was a rollercoaster, with the crowd of over 4,000 erupting as Sherrock and Swash pulled off a 2-1 victory in a tense three-leg decider. Sherrock sealed the win with a clinical double nine, prompting Swash to leap around in delight. “I feel like I had the advantage with having [Sherrock] as my partner,” Swash said, grinning ear-to-ear as he celebrated the upset. The duo went on to defeat Nathan Aspinall and former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin in the Pro-Am final, claiming the celebrity crown.
In the professional singles tournament, Littler showcased his trademark flair, defeating stablemate Nathan Aspinall 6-3 in the semi-finals to set up a blockbuster final against world No. 1 Luke Humphries. The “Luke Derby” lived up to its billing, but Humphries emerged victorious with a 6-4 win, overcoming tricky outdoor conditions. “Well, what can I say about this evening,” Humphries said post-match. “Playing darts in Hyde Park, unbelievable. Fantastic show and all the special guests were fantastic. Thanks to everyone who came, and can’t wait to do it all again next year.” The outdoor setting posed unique challenges, with gusts of wind and shadows from the setting sun affecting play. “Too much shadow, I’m not throwing on that,” one fan posted on X, echoing the sentiments of pub league players watching the pros grapple with the elements.
The event, a first for Hyde Park, was a vibrant addition to the BST Hyde Park Open House festival, which also featured musical acts like Sabrina Carpenter, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young. PDC chief executive Matthew Porter hailed the tournament’s success, saying, “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. 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.” Tickets, starting at £45.45, included access to The Summer Garden, hosting BREW//LDN, the UK’s largest craft drinks festival, adding to the day’s festive vibe with craft beers, ciders, and spirits.
Littler, the youngest-ever PDC World Champion after his January 2025 triumph at Alexandra Palace, was the star attraction. His meteoric rise, marked by a Premier League title, Grand Slam of Darts, and two World Series wins in 2024, has fueled “Littlermania” across the UK. The Warrington native, who hit a televised nine-darter at 14, brought his legion of fans to Hyde Park, many of whom were new to darts thanks to his electrifying performances. Roman Kemp, a regular at Alexandra Palace during Littler’s world title run, was thrilled to share the stage. The event also featured other big names, including three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen and singer Olly Murs, who partnered with Humphries in the Pro-Am.
Despite the loss, Littler’s performance underscored his growing legend. His semi-final win over Aspinall showcased his pinpoint accuracy, though the final against Humphries saw him struggle with a wayward 22 after aiming for treble 20. The outdoor format, a departure from the controlled environments of Alexandra Palace or Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, added a relatable challenge for fans. “Some fans enjoyed seeing the best players in the world struggling, making it far more relatable,” one observer noted, highlighting the event’s unique appeal.
As the darts world turns its attention to the upcoming World Matchplay in Blackpool, where Humphries defends his title and Littler aims for his first, the Hyde Park Darts Championship offered a lighthearted yet competitive prelude. With plans already in motion for a 2026 return, the event has carved out a niche as a celebration of darts’ growing cultural footprint, blending sport, celebrity, and summer revelry in the heart of London.
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