The darting world is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025 Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals prepares to light up Amsterdam’s AFAS Live from September 12–14. Headlining this electrifying three-day spectacle are teenage sensation Luke Littler, world number one Luke Humphries, and top seed Stephen Bunting, who together promise to deliver a thrilling climax to the global World Series tour. With a £350,000 prize pool and a star-studded field of 32 players, the tournament is poised to showcase high-octane darts, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments in front of a passionate Dutch crowd.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old reigning world champion, enters as the defending champion after a sensational debut in 2024, where he stormed to the title with a 107.95 average, dismantling Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith in the semi-finals and final. Fresh off back-to-back triumphs at the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters in August 2025, Littler is riding a wave of momentum. “I felt unbeatable up there,” he said after his 115-average masterclass against Humphries in Auckland. “I’m playing very well at the moment, I’m enjoying my darts and hopefully I can keep this winning streak going.” His meteoric rise—crowned by the 2025 PDC World Championship, World Matchplay, and 16 PDC titles at just 18—has made him a fan favorite and a formidable force. Littler’s quest to retain his crown in Amsterdam will test his composure against a stacked field, but his knack for delivering under pressure makes him a prime contender.
Luke Humphries, the world number one, brings his own firepower to the Dutch capital. The US Masters champion and 2024 New Zealand Darts Masters winner has been a model of consistency, though his recent 8-4 loss to Littler in Auckland highlighted the teenager’s edge in their rivalry. “When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable,” Humphries admitted graciously after the defeat. “I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do.” Humphries, who holds a £1.8 million lead in the PDC Order of Merit, is hungry to reclaim his World Series crown, having reached the final last year. His clash with New Zealand’s Haupai Puha in the first round promises to set the tone for his campaign, with fans eager to see if he can outshine Littler in their anticipated rematch.
Top seed Stephen Bunting, the “Bullet,” heads the field after a stellar 2025 World Series campaign, securing titles in Bahrain and Copenhagen. His 8-4 victory over Rob Cross in the Nordic Darts Masters showcased his relentless form, with a 104 checkout sealing his triumph. “I love coming to Copenhagen, the crowd have been fantastic, and hopefully I can be involved in the World Series for a few years yet,” Bunting said, his confidence soaring. Despite a shock exit to qualifier Jason Brandon at the US Darts Masters, Bunting’s 49-point lead in the World Series Order of Merit underscores his dominance. His first-round matchup against Croatia’s Boris Krcmar will be a chance to assert his authority early.
The 32-player field is a who’s who of darts royalty. Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen, a five-time champion, aims to thrill the home crowd against Jonny Clayton, while Gerwyn Price, the 2022 champion and Australian Darts Masters winner, faces Cameron Menzies. Rob Cross, the US Darts Masters victor, takes on Simon Whitlock, and other seeds like Chris Dobey, Nathan Aspinall, and Mike De Decker add depth. Local heroes Raymond van Barneveld, Danny Noppert, Gian van Veen, and Kevin Doets will stoke the Dutch fervor, with van Barneveld’s clash against Sweden’s Johan Engstrom a highlight. “We will surprise dart fans with special promotions,” said Eric Olders, CEO of JVH gaming, the parent company of Jack’s Casino, emphasizing the festive atmosphere planned for AFAS Live.
The tournament’s expanded format sees the first round split across Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, with the second round on Saturday night. Sunday’s quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final promise a dramatic crescendo, with the winner pocketing £80,000. Littler’s 2024 triumph, where he averaged over 100 in three matches, set a high bar, but with Humphries, Bunting, and van Gerwen in the mix, the battle for the title is wide open. As Littler reflected on his journey, “This time last year I was playing on the Development Tour; my name was getting mentioned but after the World Championship everyone knew who I was.” Now, the world watches as these titans clash for darts supremacy in Amsterdam.
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