In a thrilling culmination at London’s O2 Arena, world number one Luke Humphries clinched his maiden Premier League Darts title, defeating teenage sensation Luke Littler in an 11-8 showdown that captivated a record 14,000 fans. The victory marked a significant milestone for Humphries, completing darts’ prestigious Triple Crown, which includes the World Championship, World Matchplay, and now the Premier League. He joins an elite group of only four players—Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson—to achieve this feat, cementing his legacy in the sport.
The path to the final was no easy feat. Humphries faced Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals, securing a hard-fought 10-7 victory by winning the final three legs. Meanwhile, Littler, the defending champion and fan favorite, staged a remarkable comeback against Gerwyn Price, overcoming a 6-4 deficit to win 10-7 and advance. The stage was set for a clash between the sport’s two brightest stars, who have faced off 24 times in the past 18 months, with Littler holding a slight edge at 13 wins to Humphries’ 10. Their rivalry, marked by mutual respect, has become a defining narrative in darts, with pundits predicting it could dominate the sport for years to come.
Despite a patchy final that didn’t showcase their peak form, Humphries battled through early nerves and a 3-0 deficit to seize control. “Honestly, that one means the world to me. It’s the one I was missing,” Humphries told reporters, his voice thick with emotion. “I said in all my pre-match build-up the last few days that it was the one I wanted. I’ve done it now. If I don’t win another title, I’m happy because I’ve won the three hardest ones.” The £275,000 prize was a fitting reward for his resilience over the grueling 17-week season, which spanned the UK, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Humphries’ triumph was deeply personal, coming less than two months after he admitted to feeling “emotionless” on the oche due to a relentless schedule that made darts feel like a “chore.” The 30-year-old’s candidness about his mental struggles resonated with fans, and his victory was a testament to his mental fortitude. “It’s emotional because you work so hard, you’re away from home for so long to get these trophies,” he said. “It means the world.”
A key factor in Humphries’ success was the guidance he received from darts legend Phil Taylor, a 16-time world champion and six-time Premier League winner. In a heartfelt moment during his post-match interview, Humphries paid tribute to Taylor, saying, “I must say to Phil Taylor a big ‘thank you’ because he’s been giving me a lot of support the past few weeks. It’s really helped me, so Phil, if you are watching, thank you. He’s given me a lot of advice and that extra boost.” While Humphries kept the specifics of Taylor’s advice private, he emphasized its focus on self-belief. “It was all about me,” he explained. “He’s never going to give me advice on how to beat people. He was telling me stuff about myself, about believing in me. When you’ve got the greatest darts player in the world showing support, it makes you feel good.”
The victory was also a moment of redemption for Humphries, who lost to Littler in last year’s Premier League final, where the teenager threw a nine-darter to claim his first televised major title. This time, Humphries turned the tables, denying Littler the chance to join Taylor and van Gerwen as the only players to retain the Premier League crown. Despite the defeat, Littler remained gracious, acknowledging the grueling season and his record-breaking 27 match victories. “No one likes losing, but I’m fine,” Littler said. “I’m glad the Premier League is over—it’s been a tough 17 weeks. I’ll be back next year.”
Humphries was quick to praise his rival, highlighting their camaraderie. “I love Luke to bits. He’s one of my best mates on tour, and he’s so good,” he said. “He wasn’t at his best tonight, neither was I, but I managed to get in front of him. He’s a great player, a great lad, and I’ll get in early before he trounces everyone.” The two will soon team up to represent England at the World Cup of Darts in June, a partnership Humphries believes could be unstoppable. “If we connect, I don’t think anybody’s going to touch us,” he said confidently.
As Humphries lifted the trophy, tears glistening in his eyes, the Leeds United fan reflected on joining the “elite club” of Triple Crown winners. “It feels amazing. There are only four people who have done it, so that makes it really special,” he said. With Taylor’s wisdom in his corner and a fierce rivalry with Littler pushing him to new heights, Humphries’ victory signals the start of what could be a golden era in darts.
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