The 2025 Premier League Darts final at London’s O2 Arena was a spectacle of skill and emotion, as Luke Humphries clinched a dramatic 11-8 victory over teenage sensation Luke Littler to claim his first-ever Premier League title. The world number one, affectionately dubbed ‘Cool Hand Luke,’ completed darts’ coveted triple crown—adding the Premier League to his World Championship and World Matchplay titles. In the aftermath of this career-defining win, Humphries shared a poignant moment with his young rival, revealing the words of camaraderie and respect that underscored their fierce yet friendly rivalry.
The final was a rollercoaster, with 18,000 fans packing the O2 Arena, their cheers echoing as the two Lukes traded blows on the oche. Littler, the 18-year-old defending champion who took the darts world by storm, surged to a 3-0 lead with his relentless scoring prowess, averaging over 100 early on. But Humphries, undeterred, battled back, leveling 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, his voice thick with emotion as he reflected on finally securing the Premier League crown. The match turned after the break, with Humphries breaking Littler’s throw to lead 7-5 and holding firm to close out the victory on double 10, even after missing two match darts.
Humphries’ journey to this moment was anything but easy. Earlier in the season, he admitted to feeling drained, describing darts as a “chore” amid a grueling schedule. “It’s emotional because you work so hard, you’re away from home for so long to get them trophies,” he said, tears welling as he hoisted the £275,000 winner’s cheque. His turnaround was fueled by advice from darts legend Phil Taylor, whose guidance proved invaluable. “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, crediting the 16-time world champion for helping him rediscover his spark.
The final marked the 23rd clash between Humphries and Littler, with the younger star holding a 13-9 lead in their head-to-head coming into the night. Littler, who set a Premier League record with six nightly wins during the 17-week season, posted a 100.29 average in the final but struggled on doubles, hitting just 29.6% compared to Humphries’ 29.7%. Despite the defeat, Littler remained composed. “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 season-high five nine-dart finishes, cemented his status as a prodigy poised for even greater heights.
In a touching post-match exchange, Humphries revealed his admiration for Littler, a player he considers both a rival and a friend. “I love him. I think he’s a good kid,” Humphries said. “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 moment that captured their mutual respect. 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, Humphries and Littler will set their rivalry aside to represent England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt in June. “I cannot wait,” Littler said, eager to pair with Humphries, a previous winner, in pursuit of the title. Humphries echoed the optimism: “If we connect, we will have a great chance of winning it.” For now, Humphries savors his place among darts’ elite, joining Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson as a triple crown winner. “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,” he said, his ambition undimmed. As the darting world looks forward, the Humphries-Littler rivalry promises more thrilling chapters, with mutual respect at its core.
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