The Theater at Madison Square Garden buzzed with anticipation as the 2025 US Darts Masters kicked off, bringing together the world’s elite dart players to clash with top North American talent. The opening night delivered a spectacle of skill, upsets, and drama, with teenage sensation Luke Littler stealing the show while reigning champion Rob Cross and top seed Stephen Bunting suffered stunning defeats. The electric atmosphere in New York City set the stage for a tournament that promised both brilliance and unpredictability, as the PDC’s finest faced off against a hungry field of American and Canadian challengers.
Luke Littler, the 17-year-old darts prodigy, lived up to his billing as a generational talent, cruising into the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-1 victory over Dutch-born American Jules van Dongen. Littler’s performance was a masterclass in precision, capped by a dazzling 120 checkout with three consecutive double tops that sent the crowd into a frenzy. “I’m playing with absolute confidence, with freedom,” Littler had said recently, and his words rang true as he dismantled van Dongen with a blend of power scoring and clinical finishing. Despite van Dongen’s gritty effort, Littler’s dominance was undeniable, setting up an enticing quarter-final showdown with Nathan Aspinall.
The night, however, was not kind to all the favorites. Defending champion Rob Cross, who had hoped to repeat his 2024 triumph, was sent packing in a shocking 6-0 thrashing by American Danny Lauby. Cross, a former world champion, struggled to find his rhythm, unable to counter Lauby’s inspired performance. The upset was a stark reminder of the growing strength of North American darts, as Lauby capitalized on the home crowd’s energy to secure the biggest win of his career. “I’m ready for tomorrow,” Lauby declared, his confidence soaring as he advanced to face world number one Luke Humphries in the quarters.
Top seed Stephen Bunting, riding high after a stellar 2025 that included wins at the Bahrain and Nordic Darts Masters, also fell victim to the American underdogs. In a tightly contested 6-4 defeat, qualifier Jason Brandon channeled the crowd’s fervor to outlast Bunting, known as “The Bullet.” Brandon’s victory marked another scalp for the home contingent, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the World Series event. “My goal was to come up here and get a little bit of redemption,” Brandon said, reflecting on his journey to the quarter-finals, where he would meet Australian Damon Heta.
World number one Luke Humphries narrowly avoided joining the list of upsets, clawing his way to a 6-4 win over American Stowe Buntz. Trailing 4-3, Humphries showcased his championship mettle, rallying to secure victory and keep his hopes of a New York title alive. “I had to dig deep,” Humphries admitted, acknowledging the challenge posed by Buntz’s fearless play. Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price delivered commanding performances, with van Gerwen dispatching Leonard Gates 6-1 and Price averaging an impressive 102.47 in a 6-2 rout of Adam Sevada. The two veterans set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash, adding to the anticipation for Saturday’s evening session.
Nathan Aspinall also shone brightly, averaging 105 and landing eight 180s in a 6-2 demolition of Canadian Matt Campbell. “I’m feeling way better about my darts now,” Aspinall said, relishing the prospect of facing Littler next. The quarter-final lineup promised fireworks, with matchups including Brandon versus Heta, Littler versus Aspinall, Lauby versus Humphries, and Price versus van Gerwen. Each contest carried the weight of best-of-11 legs, with the semi-finals and final escalating to best-of-13 and best-of-15, respectively.
The US Darts Masters, part of the PDC’s World Series, highlighted the sport’s growing global appeal, blending established stars with emerging North American talent. The raucous Madison Square Garden crowd, decked out in colorful costumes and chanting for their favorites, added to the carnival-like atmosphere. Yet, the night belonged to Littler, whose meteoric rise continues to captivate fans. Fresh off his World Darts Championship triumph in January, where he became the youngest ever PDC world champion, Littler’s performance in New York reaffirmed his status as the sport’s brightest star. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether “The Nuke” can claim another title or if the American underdogs can pull off more shocks in the city that never sleeps.
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