In a dazzling display of skill and composure, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler clinched the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters title in Auckland, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Fresh off his triumph at the Australian Darts Masters the previous week, Littler delivered a commanding performance, defeating world number one Luke Humphries 8-4 in the final to complete a remarkable World Series double. His victory, marked by a staggering 115.02 average—the highest ever in a World Series event final—underscored his growing dominance and sent the darts world into a frenzy.
Littler’s journey to the title was not without its challenges. Reflecting on his opening match against New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver, the young star admitted to a “shaky start.” “It wasn’t easy up there,” Littler said. “Mark’s not the quickest player, so I just tried to get into some sort of rhythm.” Despite failing to hit a single 180 in that 6-4 win—a rare occurrence that ended his remarkable 222-match streak of landing maximums—Littler regained his form on finals night. He powered through the quarter-finals and semi-finals, dispatching Mike De Decker 6-2 and Gerwyn Price 7-2 with clinical precision, dropping only four legs across both matches. His semi-final performance against Price, a former world champion, showcased his ability to dominate top-tier opponents, setting the stage for a blockbuster final against Humphries.
The final saw Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” ignite the Spark Arena with a performance that left the crowd in awe. He surged to a 3-0 lead, only for Humphries to claw back to 3-2, capitalizing on Littler’s missed darts at double. Undeterred, Littler rattled off three consecutive legs to extend his lead to 6-3, finishing in style with successive 11-darters that sealed the 8-4 victory. “It couldn’t have gone any better—the scoring, the doubles, and then in the final, I just felt untouchable,” Littler declared. “I was really good tonight, and he couldn’t do much.” His 15 180s on finals night, including seven in the final, erased any doubts from his earlier struggles and reaffirmed his reputation as a heavy-scoring phenom.
Humphries, the defending champion, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Littler’s brilliance. “I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do,” he said. “The better player won for sure. When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable. I held in there and gave it my best, but he was just too good in the end.” Humphries had fought his way to the final with a 6-2 win over Damon Heta and a 7-4 victory against Chris Dobey, but Littler’s relentless precision proved insurmountable.
Littler’s back-to-back World Series triumphs in Australia and New Zealand mark him as the fifth player to complete the PDC Triple Crown, having already claimed the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay titles. His rapid rise has sparked “Littlermania” across the darts world, with fans and pundits marveling at his poise and power at such a young age. “I’m playing very well at the moment, I’m enjoying my darts, and hopefully I can keep this winning streak going,” Littler said, eyeing his next challenge at the European Tour in Antwerp.
The New Zealand Darts Masters also paid tribute to the late Kyle Anderson, with the PDC announcing that the Australian Darts Masters trophy will be renamed in his honor starting next year. Anderson, the first Australian to win a World Series event in 2017, left an indelible mark on the sport, and Littler’s victory in Auckland carried an added layer of significance as the darts community honored his legacy.
As Littler continues to chase world number one status, currently held by Humphries, his performance in Auckland signals that he’s not just a contender but a force to be reckoned with. With the World Series of Darts Finals looming in Amsterdam from September 12-14, and the BoyleSports World Grand Prix set for October, Littler’s sights are set on further glory. “I just want to win everything that comes my way,” he said, a bold statement from a teenager who’s already rewriting the darts history books.
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