In the electric world of professional darts, where precision meets raw power and every throw can rewrite history, few rivalries ignite the oche like the one between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. Tonight, under the bright lights of Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, these two titans of the sport will collide in the final of the 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix—a battle that promises to be as thrilling as it is high-stakes. The teenager sensation against the world No. 1 veteran: it’s a matchup that has fans on the edge of their seats, dreaming of nine-dart finishes and heart-stopping checkouts. With both players in blistering form throughout the week, this double-in, double-out duel could etch itself into darts folklore.
The World Grand Prix, a cornerstone of the PDC calendar since 1998, stands apart with its unforgiving format. Unlike standard tournaments, every leg demands a double to start—adding a layer of tension right from the first dart. Players must hit a double (or the bullseye) to begin scoring, turning what might be a routine opener into a nerve-shredding gamble. Matches unfold in sets, with each set a best-of-five legs, escalating in intensity as the tournament progresses. The opening round pits 32 of the world’s elite—drawn from the PDC Order of Merit and ProTour rankings—in best-of-three sets, building to best-of-five in the second round and quarters. Semifinals stretch to best-of-nine, but it’s the final that truly tests endurance: a grueling best-of-11 sets, where the first to six sets claims glory. This setup has produced legends—Phil Taylor hoisted 11 trophies here before retiring, while Michael van Gerwen snagged six. Last year, underdog Mike De Decker stunned the field, but now the spotlight swings back to the top of the rankings.
Luke Humphries, the unflappable world No. 1, enters as the hunted favorite, chasing a second crown after lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2023 and falling just short in 2024. His path to the final has been a masterclass in composure. In the first round, he dismantled defending champion Nathan Aspinall 2-0, barely breaking a sweat. Round two saw him edge out Krzysztof Ratajski 3-1, followed by a clinical 3-1 quarterfinal dismissal of Cameron Menzies. The semifinals brought the real drama: trailing 3-4 against the tenacious Danny Noppert, Humphries dug deep, storming back to win 5-3 with a pair of monster finishes—135 and 110—in the decider. Reflecting on the gritty encounter, Humphries beamed with quiet pride: “It was a great game. I thought we both played really well. Danny pushed me all the way and I got a little frustrated at myself, but I came out fired up in the eighth set and it seemed to work. I knew it was going to be a battle but I’m proud of the resilience I showed tonight, and it’s a great achievement for myself to match Michael and Phil. Some people question my mentality at times, but I can bounce back from difficult moments, and I think the break at 4-3 did me the world of good.”
This marks Humphries’ third straight World Grand Prix final, a feat that places him alongside Taylor and van Gerwen in the pantheon of consistency. At 30, he’s the steady hand, his smooth throwing action belying a fierce competitive edge. Yet, he knows the kid across the oche is no ordinary foe—their head-to-head reads like a highlight reel of classics, with Humphries edging the most recent TV final in May’s Premier League via a playoff thriller.
Enter Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy whose meteoric rise has turned darts into a global phenomenon. Dubbed “The Nuke” for his explosive talent, Littler is hungry to conquer one of the few majors still eluding him. Last year, he crashed out in the first round here, but 2025 has been redemption incarnate. He obliterated Gian van Veen 2-0 in round one, firing off two of the highest averages in tournament history. Mike De Decker fell 3-0 in the second round, and the quarters delivered a nail-biter: a 3-2 squeaker over Gerwyn Price, sealed on the final leg. The semis were a statement—Littler eviscerated Jonny Clayton 5-1, reeling off six straight legs after a 3-1 lead, capped by a sublime 140 checkout that left the Welshman reeling. “I’m very happy with the performance and the stats showed it there—both a good in and out doubles percentage,” Littler said post-match, his eyes already on the prize. “That 140 was the main moment though, going in at 3-1 definitely settled me more. That 140 killed off Jonny a little—I am just really glad to get into the final.”
For Littler, this isn’t just about the trophy; it’s personal. He seeks payback for that Premier League final loss to Humphries and a chance to claw closer to the No. 1 spot, where just a handful of points separate them. “I definitely owe Luke one for the Premier League, but Luke has a very good record here,” he admitted with a grin. “For me, it’s all new. Last year I lost in the first round of the Matchplay and this year I won it, and last year here I lost in the first round… and now I am in the final. Hopefully I can get the win tomorrow and then I will be on Luke’s back even more for the number one spot.” It’s their sixth televised final showdown, including Littler’s triumph in August’s World Series Down Under—proof that while Humphries may hold the edge in experience, Littler’s fearless flair makes him a wildcard nightmare.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. A £600,000 prize pot dangles tantalizingly, with £120,000 for the victor and £60,000 for the bridesmaid—sums that could fuel dreams beyond the board. Semi-finalists pocket £40,000, quarters £25,000, and so on down to £7,500 for first-round exits. But for these two, it’s about legacy: Humphries reclaiming his throne, Littler storming the gates.
Dart fans, mark your calendars—coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. EST) on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, with the showdown underway by 8:30 p.m. Stream it via the Sky Sports app or NOW for flexible access, and follow every dart on Sporting News for live updates and highlights. As the arrows fly in Leicester tonight, one thing’s certain: whether it’s Humphries’ poise or Littler’s fire that prevails, we’ll witness darts at its dazzling best. Who will hoist the trophy? The oche awaits its answer.
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