In a night of high-octane drama at London’s O2 Arena, Luke Humphries, the world’s No. 1 darts player, etched his name into the sport’s history books by clinching the 2025 Premier League Darts title with an 11-8 victory over teenage sensation Luke Littler. The triumph not only completed Humphries’ quest for darts’ coveted triple crown—encompassing the World Championship, World Matchplay, and Premier League—but also made him the richest-ever Premier League champion, earning an astonishing £5,000 per hour during the 17-week season. The 30-year-old’s masterful performance, coupled with his emotional journey and mentorship from legend Phil Taylor, underscored a defining moment in his career, while Littler’s own substantial earnings highlighted the sport’s skyrocketing financial rewards.
Humphries’ path to glory was anything but easy. Entering the finals night on May 29, 2025, as the second seed, he faced Nathan Aspinall in a hard-fought semi-final before meeting Littler, the reigning world champion, in the final. Despite Littler’s early 3-0 lead, Humphries battled back, leveraging his experience and newfound mental clarity to secure the win. “This one means the world to me, that was the one I was missing,” Humphries told reporters, tears glistening in his eyes. “It was the one I wanted, I have done it now. If I don’t win another title, I’m happy as I have done the three hardest ones to do.” His victory earned him £275,000 from the Premier League’s £1 million prize pot, bringing his total earnings for the season to £315,000, including £30,000 from three nightly wins and a set of £30,000 gold darts for a nine-darter.
The financial scale of Humphries’ achievement is staggering. Across the 17-week Premier League campaign, he competed in 32 matches, averaging £9,306 per match and £19,706 per week, culminating in an hourly rate of approximately £5,000. His career prize money now stands at nearly £3 million, with over £2 million earned in the last two years alone, placing him atop the PDC Order of Merit. Littler, despite the loss, walked away with £125,000 as runner-up, plus £60,000 for his record-breaking six nightly wins, totaling £215,000 for the season. The 18-year-old’s career earnings have surged past £1.9 million, including £1.3 million from ranked tournaments, making him the second-highest earner in the PDC, trailing only Humphries.
Humphries’ triumph was deeply personal, coming less than two months after he described darts as a “chore” due to the relentless schedule. His turnaround was fueled by advice from 16-time world champion Phil Taylor. “I must say to Phil Taylor a big ‘thank you’ because he’s been giving me a lot of support the past few weeks,” Humphries said. “It’s really helped me so Phil, if you are watching, thank you.” While he kept the specifics private, the guidance clearly reignited his passion, propelling him to join an elite club alongside Taylor, Gary Anderson, and Michael van Gerwen as triple crown winners.
Littler, meanwhile, showcased his prodigious talent, topping the regular season with 45 points and setting a record for nightly wins. His semi-final victory over Gerwyn Price was a testament to his composure, but Humphries’ resilience proved too much in the final. “I cannot wait,” Littler said, looking ahead to partnering with Humphries for England at the World Cup of Darts in June 2025. “He won it last year so hopefully he can lead me to victory.” Their rivalry, now spanning 23 matches since the 2024 World Championship final, has seen Littler lead 13-10, promising more epic battles.
The Premier League’s financial landscape reflects darts’ booming popularity. With the 2026 season set to offer a £1.25 million prize pot and £350,000 for the champion, the sport’s rewards are soaring. Humphries and Littler, close friends off the oche, are at the forefront of this golden era. “I love him. I think he’s a good kid,” Humphries said of Littler. “He’ll probably win much more than I’ll ever win in my career because he’s young and he’s a great talent.” As they prepare for the World Cup, their camaraderie and competition signal a bright future for darts, with Humphries’ record-breaking earnings and Littler’s meteoric rise captivating fans worldwide.
Leave a Reply