In a thrilling showdown at London’s O2 Arena, Luke Humphries emerged victorious over teenage prodigy Luke Littler, clinching the 2025 Premier League Darts title with an 11-8 win. The world number one, known as ‘Cool Hand Luke,’ secured his first-ever Premier League crown, completing darts’ prestigious triple crown alongside his World Championship and World Matchplay titles. The electrifying final, a rematch of last year’s clash where Littler triumphed, showcased the fierce rivalry between the two players, who have become the sport’s leading lights. After the match, Humphries revealed the heartfelt words he shared with his young rival, highlighting the mutual respect that defines their competitive saga.
The atmosphere at the O2 was electric, with a packed crowd roaring as the two Lukes battled it out. Littler, the 18-year-old defending champion, stormed to a 3-0 lead with his trademark power-scoring, putting Humphries on the back foot. However, the 30-year-old world champion showed his resilience, clawing back to level the score at 3-3 despite missing five darts at double. “That one means the world to me. It’s the one I was missing,” Humphries said, reflecting on the significance of the victory. The match was a rollercoaster, with both players struggling to find their rhythm early on, but after the break, the quality soared. Humphries seized the momentum, breaking Littler’s throw to lead 7-5 and holding his nerve to close out the match on double 10 after missing two match darts.
Humphries’ journey to this triumph was not without its challenges. Earlier this year, he admitted to feeling “emotionless” on the oche, drained by a relentless schedule that made darts feel like a “chore.” Yet, standing victorious in front of the roaring O2 crowd, tears glistened in his eyes as he lifted the trophy, pocketing £275,000 in prize money. “It’s emotional because you work so hard, you’re away from home for so long to get them trophies,” he said, underscoring the personal sacrifices behind his success. His victory was a testament to his growth, fueled by advice from darts legend Phil Taylor, who offered crucial support in recent weeks. “Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks, so Phil, if you are watching, thank you,” Humphries added.
The final was the 23rd meeting between Humphries and Littler, with the younger star holding a 13-9 edge coming into the night. Littler, who set a points record in the league phase with six nightly wins, was clinical but struggled on doubles, hitting only 29.6% compared to Humphries’ 29.7%. Despite the loss, Littler remained gracious, acknowledging the grueling 17-week campaign. “I had a little bit of a thing after the game—nobody likes losing—but I’m fine,” he said. “I am glad to say the Premier League is over. It’s been a tough 17 weeks.” His performance, including a 100.29 average, underscored why he’s considered a generational talent, having already claimed the World Championship and the 2024 Premier League title at just 17.
In a touching moment post-match, Humphries shared his admiration for his rival. “I love him. I think he’s a good kid,” he said of Littler. “He’s a close friend of mine in darts. He’ll probably win much more than I’ll ever win in my career because he’s young and he’s a great talent. I’m just happy when I nab one here and there.” The two shared a laugh and a brief embrace on stage, a sign of the camaraderie that persists despite their fierce competition. Humphries added, “I said to him on the stage, I’m really happy to win this, but I’m sure he’ll get me back plenty of times in the future.”
Looking ahead, the rivalry will take a backseat as Humphries and Littler prepare to team up for England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt in June. “I cannot wait,” Littler said, hopeful that Humphries, a previous winner, can guide him to victory. Humphries echoed the sentiment, saying, “If we connect, we will have a great chance of winning it.” For now, Humphries basks in his hard-earned triumph, having joined an elite group of players—Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson—to complete the triple crown. As he reflected on his journey, he remained humble, noting, “I’m still relatively young in the game, and I’m only a couple of titles away from being possibly the third-most successful darts player.” With Littler hot on his heels, the darting world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this captivating rivalry.
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