The global phenomenon known as Luke “The Nuke” Littler is set to make his much-anticipated return to the oche this week, making his first appearance since a surprising early exit from the World Cup of Darts. The 18-year-old sensation from Warrington is heading to the iconic Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the US Darts Masters, a pivotal event in the 2025 World Series of Darts. This high-profile tournament, scheduled for June 27-28, marks Littler’s third visit to the US Darts Masters, and he’ll be aiming to elevate his performance on American soil.
Littler’s journey to New York follows a period of mixed results and a well-deserved break. His last competitive outing saw him and teammate Luke Humphries, the current world number one, unexpectedly knocked out in the first hurdle of the World Cup of Darts by host nation Germany. This disappointment came on the heels of a narrow defeat to Humphries in the Premier League Darts final at The O2 in London at the end of May. Prior to that, he experienced a quarter-final exit at the Nordic Darts Masters at the hands of Nathan Aspinall. While still showcasing moments of brilliance, Littler has yet to reach a final in any of this year’s World Series events, having been beaten in the quarter-finals of the Bahrain Darts Masters by Gerwyn Price and the semi-finals of the Dutch Darts Masters by Stephen Bunting, both in January.
To counter this recent streak and prepare for the rigors of the US Darts Masters, Littler opted out of the three Players Championship events held in Leicester last week. Instead, he took time for a family holiday in Spain, a decision that speaks to the immense pressure and demanding schedule that comes with being one of the sport’s leading professionals. This break is intended to recharge him both physically and mentally, allowing him to return to the oche with renewed focus and energy.
The US Darts Masters will feature a formidable line-up of eight elite Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) representatives, including Littler, alongside eight top North American stars. The PDC contingent boasts an impressive roster, with reigning World Champion Luke Humphries, Dutch maestro Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting (who clinched the Bahrain Darts Masters title this year), former World Champion Rob Cross, Welsh powerhouse Gerwyn Price, Australian number one Damon Heta, and former Premier League champion Nathan Aspinall all confirmed to compete.
For Littler, the US Darts Masters represents an opportunity to improve on his previous showing at Madison Square Garden. Last year, in his debut at the event, he showcased his undeniable talent with brutal demolitions of his first two opponents, Matt Campbell and Jeff Smith. His performances then seemed to hint at a repeat of his Bahrain Masters success from his World Series debut. However, his run was halted in the semi-finals by a clinical Gerwyn Price, who edged a thrilling contest in a deciding leg with a superb 108 finish to win 7-6. That match underscored the razor-thin margins at the elite level of darts and provided a valuable learning experience for the young prodigy.
The format of the 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters will see the PDC superstars drawn to play against the North American representatives in the first round on Friday, June 27. The competition intensifies on Saturday, June 28, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final all taking place. Matches in the first round and quarter-finals will be best of eleven legs, extending to best of thirteen legs for the semi-finals, and a best of fifteen legs for the grand final. With a total prize fund of £100,000 and the winner taking home a substantial £30,000, the stakes are incredibly high.
The roster of North American talent includes familiar faces such as Canadian duo Matt Campbell and Jim Long, along with American representatives Danny Lauby, Jules van Dongen, Leonard Gates, Adam Sevada, Jason Brandon, and Stowe Buntz. These players will be eager to test their mettle against the world’s best, potentially causing upsets and creating memorable moments on their home turf.
Luke Littler’s presence in New York is always a major draw. Known for his captivating walk-on and electrifying performances, “The Nuke” has become a global sensation, transcending the sport of darts. His meteoric rise, which saw him win the 2025 World Championship at just 17 years and 347 days old, making him the youngest world champion in darts history, continues to fascinate fans worldwide. His accolades in 2024 alone included winning the Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Series Finals, followed by the UK Open title in 2025. Despite recent minor setbacks, his competitive spirit and sheer talent remain undimmed.
As the darts world converges on New York City, all eyes will once again be on Luke Littler. The US Darts Masters presents a prime opportunity for him to reassert his dominance, regain momentum, and continue building on his extraordinary legacy. Fans can expect nothing short of thrilling darts action as “The Nuke” aims to conquer the Big Apple.
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