As the Premier League Darts caravan rolled into Manchester on Thursday, April 10, 2025, all eyes were on the local hero, Luke Littler. The teenage sensation, already a dominant force in the 2025 season, stepped onto the oche at the AO Arena with a singular mission: to etch his name deeper into the sport’s history books. Littler, who has taken the darts world by storm, is chasing a record-breaking fifth nightly win of the season—a feat no player has ever achieved in the competition’s storied history. For the 18-year-old from Warrington, this wasn’t just another night of darts; it was a homecoming, a chance to shine in front of a raucous Manchester crowd that has embraced him as one of their own.
Littler entered Night 10 of the Premier League atop the leaderboard with an impressive 26 points, a commanding six-point lead over his nearest rival, Luke Humphries. His season has been nothing short of extraordinary. With four nightly victories already under his belt—Glasgow on Night Two, Brighton on Night Five, Cardiff on Night Seven, and Newcastle on Night Eight—he’s not only leading the pack but rewriting the script for what’s possible in the Premier League. His latest triumph in Newcastle saw him dismantle Humphries 6-1 in a final that showcased his relentless precision and unshakable confidence. Now, with Manchester’s AO Arena buzzing with anticipation, Littler is poised to push the boundaries even further.
“I’m obviously looking to try and go back-to-back in Manchester,” Littler said ahead of the event, his voice brimming with determination. “But for myself, try and get that fifth nightly win, break the record.” It’s a bold ambition, but one that feels almost inevitable given his form. The young star has already surpassed a century of 180s this season, a testament to his scoring prowess, and his nine-darter in Cardiff—finished on a historic double 15—remains one of the standout moments of 2025. That perfect leg, the first of its kind on television, sent shockwaves through the darts community and cemented Littler’s reputation as a generational talent.
The road to a potential record-breaking night won’t be easy, though. Standing in his way is Gerwyn Price, the Welsh powerhouse who has proven time and again that he knows how to get under Littler’s skin. Despite Littler holding a six-match winning streak against Price in Premier League play, including victories earlier this season, the 39-year-old remains a formidable foe. Fresh off a Players Championship win in Leicester just days earlier, where he outlasted Josh Rock in a thrilling final, Price is riding a wave of confidence. “Josh played fantastic to come back, but thankfully I got a big lead, or he would have blew me away,” Price reflected after that victory. “Winning these events gives you a good boost of confidence.” He’ll need every ounce of that self-belief when he faces Littler in the quarter-finals, a clash that promises to be a blockbuster.
The Manchester crowd, known for its electric atmosphere, will undoubtedly play a role. Littler thrives under pressure, and the prospect of performing in front of a partisan home audience only fuels his fire. His dominance this season has been staggering—26 points at the halfway mark would have secured a play-off spot in years past, yet Littler isn’t content to coast. “I think the past however many years, 26 has got you into Finals Night,” he noted, hinting at his hunger for more. For him, it’s not just about qualifying for the O2 Arena in May; it’s about asserting total dominance over a field stacked with the world’s best.
Elsewhere on the card, the night promises plenty of drama. Michael van Gerwen, a seven-time Premier League champion, takes on Chris Dobey, while Humphries, still reeling from his “emotionless” struggles with the sport’s grueling schedule, faces Stephen Bunting. Van Gerwen, sitting third in the standings with 13 points, remains a threat despite an inconsistent season, while Dobey will look to capitalize on his recent upset of Littler in Berlin. Humphries, meanwhile, hopes to regain his spark after a candid admission that the relentless pace of darts has taken a toll on his mental state.
For Littler, though, the spotlight burns brightest. His meteoric rise—from a World Championship runner-up in 2024 to a Premier League juggernaut in 2025—has captivated fans and pundits alike. A win in Manchester wouldn’t just break the record for nightly victories; it would further solidify his status as the sport’s biggest star. As he prepares to face Price in a contest that could define the evening, Littler carries the weight of expectation with the same coolness that has defined his play. Win or lose, one thing is clear: Manchester’s prodigal son is here to make history, one dart at a time.