In a dazzling display of skill and charisma, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler clinched the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters title, capping a triumphant weekend at Auckland’s Spark Arena. The victory, celebrated by a record-breaking crowd of over 5,500 fans on Saturday, August 16, was marked by an extraordinary tribute: Littler’s image illuminated the iconic Auckland Sky Tower, a 328-meter beacon of the city’s skyline. This symbolic gesture underscored not only Littler’s meteoric rise in the darts world but also the growing global fervor for the sport. “It felt very much the same as last week,” Littler reflected, referencing his recent Australian Darts Masters win. “I had a shaky start in my opening game, but once you come into Finals Night you know you have to switch it on, and that’s what I did again tonight.”
Littler’s path to the title was nothing short of spectacular. Facing defending champion and world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the final, the young Englishman delivered a performance for the ages, averaging an astonishing 115.02—the highest ever in a World Series event final. His 8-4 victory over Humphries was punctuated by seven 180s and a 50% success rate on doubles, showcasing his precision and composure under pressure. “I saved the best for last,” Littler declared, emphasizing the intensity required to outshine a rival of Humphries’ caliber. The world No. 1, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Littler’s dominance: “When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable. I held in there and I gave it my best, but he was just too good in the end.”
The tournament, held for the first time at Spark Arena, drew a total of 10,000 fans over two days, a testament to darts’ burgeoning popularity in New Zealand. Littler’s journey began with a nervy 6-4 win over local player Mark Cleaver, where he struggled to find his rhythm, failing to hit a single 180. “It wasn’t easy up there. Mark’s not the quickest player, so I just tried to get into some sort of rhythm,” he admitted. However, Finals Night saw Littler transform into an unstoppable force. He dispatched Mike De Decker 6-2 in the quarter-finals, a rematch of the previous week’s Australian Darts Masters final, before demolishing 2022 champion Gerwyn Price 7-2 with a 109 average, highlighted by a crowd-pleasing 170 checkout.
The electric atmosphere at Spark Arena, likened by Littler to a Premier League night in the UK, fueled his performance. A practice session nine-darter during the interval further boosted his confidence. “That’s when I felt like no one could beat me,” he said, noting his relentless scoring, including four or five consecutive 140s in the final’s closing legs. His trademark flair was on full display, with a “reeling in” celebration after the 170 finish, delighting the Auckland crowd. The victory earned Littler $68,000 and marked his fifth World Series title, following triumphs in Bahrain, Poland, the Netherlands, and Australia.
Despite his fearless approach on stage, Littler drew the line at one local challenge: bungee jumping off the Sky Tower, a stunt attempted by some fellow players. “I’d get on any rollercoaster, but when it comes to jumping off buildings, no chance,” he quipped. The Sky Tower illumination, a rare honor, symbolized his growing legacy. PDC chief executive Matt Porter hailed the event’s success, noting the vibrant crowd and hinting at a 2026 return to Spark Arena. “The atmosphere was brilliant,” Porter said, emphasizing the sport’s growth in New Zealand since the World Series debuted there in 2015.
Littler’s Down Under double—winning both the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters—cements his status as a global darts phenomenon. With the World Series Finals looming in Amsterdam from September 12-14, where he is the defending champion, Littler’s 13-match winning streak across all competitions signals his intent to dominate. “I’m playing very well at the moment, I’m enjoying my darts, and hopefully I can keep this winning streak going,” he said. As Auckland’s skyline glowed in his honor, Littler’s performance proved he’s not just reaching new heights in darts—he’s redefining them.
Luke Littler lights up the Auckland Sky Tower 🗼👏 pic.twitter.com/hdAdcvPMvM
— Live Darts (@livedarts) August 16, 2025
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