On a balmy summer evening in London’s Hyde Park, the inaugural Hyde Park Darts Championship unfolded on July 8, 2025, as part of the BST Open House summer festival. The event, a bold experiment in bringing professional darts outdoors, saw world No. 1 Luke Humphries and teenage sensation Luke Littler headline a star-studded lineup that included Nathan Aspinall and Fallon Sherrock. However, the unpredictable outdoor conditions—marked by gusty winds and shifting shadows—turned the Great Oak Stage into a battleground where even the sport’s finest struggled, prompting fans to declare, “This is why we play darts indoors.”
The tournament, a four-player singles event followed by a celebrity Pro-Am doubles match, drew thousands of spectators to one of London’s most iconic parks. Humphries emerged victorious in the professional final, defeating Littler 6-4 after a semi-final win over Sherrock. Littler, the 18-year-old world champion, had earlier dispatched Aspinall to reach the final. Yet, the real story was the elements. The warm evening breeze wreaked havoc, causing darts to wobble mid-flight and land askew on the board. Social media lit up with reactions, one fan posting, “Look at how the darts are going in the board ffs 😂 this is why we play darts indoors,” capturing the chaotic spectacle. Another quipped, “They’ll be playing snooker on a cruise ship next,” highlighting the absurdity of the conditions.
Humphries, known as “Cool Hand Luke,” struggled notably in the final, missing three consecutive shots at double six as the wind played tricks. Littler, aiming for a triple 20, scored a meager 22 in a critical moment, unable to counter the gusts. “Well what can I say about this evening,” Humphries reflected post-match, his relief palpable. “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.” His enthusiasm underscored the event’s novelty, even if the conditions tested his precision.
Littler, the sport’s youngest world champion after his 2025 PDC World Championship triumph, took the challenges in stride. The Warrington-born prodigy, who has skyrocketed to No. 2 in the PDC rankings, admitted the wind made consistency elusive. “It was tough out there, but it’s all part of the fun,” he said, flashing his signature grin. His semi-final win over Aspinall showcased his resilience, but the final proved a step too far against Humphries, who capitalized on Littler’s misses to seal the victory.
The evening’s entertainment didn’t end with the professional matches. A celebrity Pro-Am doubles event brought added flair, pairing darts stars with famous faces. Humphries teamed with singer Olly Murs, while Littler partnered with presenter Roman Kemp. Aspinall joined forces with former footballer Dion Dublin, and Sherrock paired with actor Joe Swash. In a stunning upset, Sherrock and Swash triumphed, defeating Littler and Kemp to claim the Pro-Am title. “Sherrock & Swash with the upset!” one fan posted online, celebrating the unexpected victory.
The event’s innovative format was hailed by PDC chief Matthew Porter as a “really exciting concept,” blending darts’ gritty charm with British summer tradition. “We’re really looking forward to putting on a world-class darts show,” he said, emphasizing the sport’s growing cultural footprint. Darts has surged in popularity, with viewership tripling since 2020 and betting wagers rivaling those of tennis and cricket. Littler’s meteoric rise—highlighted by his 2024 Premier League win and nine-dart finishes—has drawn legions of new fans, while Humphries’ Triple Crown (World Championship, World Matchplay, and Premier League) cements his dominance.
Fans had mixed reactions to the outdoor experiment. Some relished seeing top players grapple with relatable struggles, one commenting, “Used to play out the back when it wasn’t windy. Could hit loads. Maybe a windy tournament could shake things up from the norm.” Others found it “borderline ridiculous,” arguing darts belongs indoors where precision reigns supreme. The event’s challenges echoed Humphries’ own sentiments about the sport’s grueling schedule, having previously called it a “chore” after a taxing European Tour.
As the darts world looks ahead to the Betfred World Matchplay from July 19-27, 2025, at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, where Humphries aims to defend his title, the Hyde Park experiment leaves a lasting impression. Whether outdoor darts becomes a staple or remains a quirky one-off, the sight of Littler and Humphries battling the breeze will linger in fans’ memories, a testament to their skill and the sport’s evolving spectacle.
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