As the World Cup of Darts kicks off in Frankfurt, Germany, from June 12-15, 2025, all eyes are on England’s formidable pairing of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. The duo, ranked as the world’s top two darts players, are poised to defend England’s title and secure a record-extending sixth crown. However, Humphries has revealed a surprising twist in their preparation: the two stars won’t be practicing together ahead of the tournament, a decision that has sparked intrigue among fans and analysts alike.
Humphries, the reigning Premier League champion and world number one, spoke candidly about their unconventional approach. “Look, when you’ve got two of the best players in the world, we’re not going to need to start practising together,” he said with confidence. Reflecting on his successful partnership with Michael Smith in last year’s World Cup, where they clinched a 10-6 victory over Austria, Humphries emphasized the strength of individual talent. “Michael Smith was probably the best player I could have played with last year, and I was really happy to play with him. That’s why I put him first—great scorer—and I’ll do the same with Luke this year.” This strategy underscores Humphries’ belief that their raw skill and synergy will shine through in the doubles format, despite skipping joint practice sessions.
For 18-year-old Littler, dubbed “The Nuke” for his explosive talent, this marks his highly anticipated World Cup debut. The teenage sensation, who rocketed to fame with a World Darts Championship triumph in January 2025, is no stranger to pressure. Yet, his past experiences in Germany have been challenging, with hostile crowds booing him during a Premier League night in Berlin and a Euro Tour event in Munich. Humphries, acting as a supportive “big brother,” has vowed to shield his younger teammate from any negative reactions in Frankfurt. “If we play against Germany, it’ll be really hostile,” Humphries acknowledged, but he plans to let Littler throw first in their opening second-round match on Saturday, hoping to ease him into the atmosphere.
The duo’s rivalry, one of the most electrifying in darts history, adds another layer of fascination to their partnership. Having faced off 23 times in the past 18 months, with Littler holding a 13-10 edge, their competitive encounters include two world finals and back-to-back Premier League finals. Humphries’ recent 11-8 victory over Littler at the O2 Arena in London showcased their ability to push each other to new heights. “I love him. I think he’s a good kid,” Humphries said of Littler, highlighting the camaraderie beneath their fierce competition. Littler, equally enthusiastic about teaming up, expressed optimism: “I cannot wait. He won it last year, so hopefully he can lead me to victory.”
Despite their status as tournament favorites, challenges loom large. A significant rule change introduced last year means all matches in the 2025 World Cup will be doubles, eliminating singles play. This shift demands seamless coordination, which some rivals believe could test England’s dream team. Germany’s Martin Schindler, part of the host nation’s squad, conceded that Humphries and Littler are a “formidable challenge” but insisted they are beatable, citing the adaptation required for doubles play. Meanwhile, Wales’ Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, who won titles in 2020 and 2023, are determined to upset the English duo. “All the headlines are the two Lukes,” Clayton said, “but Jonny and Gezzy will stop them if we meet them.”
Humphries remains unfazed by the pressure of expectations. “There’ll be pressure on our shoulders, of course. But what do you think me and Luke do?” he quipped, radiating confidence. Their shared goal is to replicate the success of past English champions like Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, who dominated the event four times between 2012 and 2016. With 40 nations competing at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle, including strong contenders like Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, the path to glory won’t be easy.
As the tournament unfolds live on Sky Sports, the darts world awaits a spectacle. Will Humphries and Littler’s unorthodox preparation pay off, or will their rivals capitalize on their lack of joint practice? One thing is certain: this dynamic duo’s journey in Frankfurt will be a thrilling chapter in their storied rivalry, as they aim to etch their names deeper into darts history.
Leave a Reply