The 2025 darts season is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle, with a packed calendar of Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournaments showcasing the sport’s brightest stars, including the sensational Luke Littler. Fresh off his historic 2025 PDC World Championship victory, the 18-year-old prodigy, nicknamed “The Nuke,” is set to dominate headlines as he competes in marquee events like the BetMGM Premier League, Betfred World Matchplay, and Grand Slam of Darts. With a schedule brimming with high-stakes showdowns, fans are eager to see if Littler can build on his meteoric rise and challenge for more titles, while veterans like Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen aim to reclaim their dominance.
The season kicked off with the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, running from December 15, 2024, to January 3, 2025, where Littler etched his name in history. At just 17 years and 347 days, he defeated three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest world champion ever, surpassing Van Gerwen’s record set at 24. “To pick up the trophy and beat a very good Michael van Gerwen in the final… it meant everything,” Littler said, his emotion palpable as he lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy. His record-breaking 140.91 set average against Ryan Meikle in the second round and 76 maximum 180s, earning him the Ballon d’Art trophy, underscored his dominance.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_PDC_World_Darts_Championship)
Following the World Championship, the action continued with the Bahrain Darts Masters (January 16-17), won by Stephen Bunting, and the Dutch Darts Masters (January 24-25), claimed by Rob Cross. The Winmau World Masters (January 30-February 2) saw Humphries triumph, reinforcing his status as world number one. The BetMGM Premier League, a 17-week marathon from February 6 to May 29, is a highlight of the season, with Littler returning as defending champion after his 2024 victory over Humphries, where he hit a nine-darter. “This is a very good picture! Hitting double 20 to win the Premier League,” Littler reflected on his 11Ormed 11-7 win. Despite winning six nightly events in 2025, he fell 11-8 to Humphries in the final at London’s O2 Arena. “It was a very long 16-week format, but to win it on debut… and to beat Luke was a bit of payback,” Littler said.
The Premier League features an elite eight-player lineup, including Littler, Humphries, Van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey, and Nathan Aspinall, selected for their big-stage presence. “We want people on the edge of their seats,” PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said, emphasizing the electric atmosphere these players create. Littler’s record six nightly wins in 2025, including a 6-1 demolition of Humphries in Newcastle, set a new benchmark for the competition.
June’s World Cup of Darts (June 12-15) in Frankfurt saw Littler and Humphries team up for England, but they suffered a shock 8-4 defeat to Germany, prompting criticism from Gerwyn Price about their lack of “team ethic.” “I think you need to have a connection… they didn’t play as a team,” Price remarked after Wales fell to Northern Ireland in the final. The Betfred World Matchplay (July 19-27) at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens is next, with Humphries defending his title against Littler and Van Gerwen. The Women’s World Matchplay, won by Beau Greaves in 2023 and 2024, will also feature on July 27.
Other key events include the World Grand Prix in October, where Mike De Decker stunned Humphries in 2024, and the Grand Slam of Darts in November, where Littler crushed Martin Lukeman 16-3 in 2024. “I’m looking at the World Matchplay,” Littler said, eyeing the Phil Taylor Trophy as his next goal. With Sky Sports broadcasting every Premier League night, the World Matchplay, and more, 2025 promises to elevate darts to new heights, driven by Littler’s star power and a fiercely competitive field.
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