The Theater at Madison Square Garden transformed into a cauldron of excitement on June 27-28, 2025, as the bet365 US Darts Masters, the fourth stop on the 2025 World Series of Darts, brought the world’s finest dart players to New York City. Headlined by teenage sensation Luke Littler, the reigning World Champion, the tournament delivered a spectacle of precision and drama, with American underdogs stealing the spotlight and a packed crowd reveling in the electric atmosphere. Featuring 16 players—eight elite PDC stars and eight North American representatives—the event culminated in a thrilling Saturday finale, alongside the North American Championship, where a coveted spot in the 2026 World Darts Championship was up for grabs.
The tournament kicked off on Friday, June 27, at 7:00 PM ET with a high-octane first round, pitting PDC giants against North American hopefuls. Littler, the world number two, set the stage alight with a commanding 6-1 victory over American Jules van Dongen, sealing the match with a dazzling 120 checkout—three consecutive double tops that sent the crowd into a frenzy. “I’d love to win another US Darts Masters title,” Littler declared, his ambition clear as he eyes his first crown on American soil. “I’ve not won one since 2019, and I think I’m a better player than that.” His performance was a reminder of why he’s become darts’ brightest star, blending youthful exuberance with veteran-like composure.
However, the night belonged to the American underdogs. In a stunning upset, Danny Lauby obliterated defending champion Rob Cross 6-0, ending his title defense in a mere six legs. Jason Brandon also shocked the field, toppling top seed Stephen Bunting to secure a quarter-final spot. Nathan Aspinall opened the evening with a dominant win over Jim Long, while Gerwyn Price showcased his class, averaging 102.47 to dispatch Adam Sevada. Luke Humphries, the world number one, and Michael van Gerwen, the 2023 champion, also advanced, with van Gerwen overcoming Leonard Gates in a fiery clash. Damon Heta and Nathan Aspinall rounded out the quarter-finalists, setting the stage for a blockbuster Saturday.
On June 28, starting at 1:00 PM ET, the North American Championship took center stage, exclusively featuring the eight North American players: Matt Campbell, Jim Long, Danny Lauby, Jules van Dongen, Leonard Gates, Adam Sevada, Jason Brandon, and Stowe Buntz. The winner earned a prestigious spot in the Grand Slam of Darts and the 2026 World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Later that evening, at 7:30 PM ET, the US Darts Masters continued with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, offering a £100,000 prize fund, with £30,000 for the champion. “The North American Darts Championship is obviously the most important thing for my ranking and Ally Pally,” Littler said, acknowledging the stakes. “But I want to do every one of my supporters proud and I might as well win them both!”
Fans could catch every moment live on DAZN in the US, with ITV4 and ITVX offering free-to-air coverage in the UK, albeit with delayed broadcasts at 5:00 PM on Friday and 11:25 AM on Saturday. PDCTV provided live streaming for subscribers worldwide, ensuring global access to the action. For those attending, tickets were available via Ticketmaster, with floor seats offering a premium experience at around $300, complete with chances to catch player-thrown trinkets. The Theater’s intimate setting amplified the energy, with fans chanting and dancing to the sport’s infectious atmosphere. One attendee raved, “This experience was more than I could ever imagine. It was nothing like any other sporting event I had ever been to, but in a good way.”
The 2025 US Darts Masters marked the seventh edition of the tournament, which moved to New York from Las Vegas in 2022. Past champions like Michael van Gerwen (2017, 2023), Nathan Aspinall (2019), and Rob Cross (2024) have cemented its status as a premier event. This year, Littler’s pursuit of his first US title, coupled with American upsets, underscored the growing popularity of darts in North America, fueled by the Championship Darts Corporation’s efforts to nurture local talent. As Littler prepares for his quarter-final clash with Aspinall, the stage is set for more drama in the Big Apple, where every dart thrown carries the weight of ambition and the roar of an adoring crowd.
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