In the electrifying atmosphere of Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, the 2025 BetMGM Premier League Darts season delivered another unforgettable night of high-stakes action. Teenage sensation Luke Littler, the reigning champion and newly crowned PDC World Champion, battled his way into the semi-finals with a heart-pounding 6-5 victory over Stephen Bunting on Night 13. The clash, a rollercoaster of momentum shifts and clutch finishes, showcased why Littler remains the player to beat, while Bunting proved his resurgence is no fluke.
Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy from Warrington, entered the match as the league leader, riding a wave of confidence after a stellar 2024 that saw him claim 10 PDC titles, including the Premier League and a memorable nine-darter in last year’s final. His opponent, Stephen Bunting, known as ‘The Bullet,’ has been a fan favorite this season, returning to the Premier League after a decade and climbing to a career-high world No. 5 ranking. The stage was set for a blockbuster quarter-final, with Littler’s youthful bravado pitted against Bunting’s gritty determination.
The match began with a shock as Bunting surged to a 2-0 lead, capitalizing on Littler’s sluggish start. “A dream start for The Bullet as he helps himself to the opening two legs with Littler averaging just 85 with his new setup,” commentators noted, highlighting Bunting’s early dominance. The 39-year-old, buoyed by the crowd chanting “Let’s go Bunting mental,” fired in precise doubles and a 180 to put the pressure on. Littler, however, is no stranger to adversity. The teenager, who famously recovered from a similar deficit in Rotterdam earlier this season, began to find his rhythm, unleashing a barrage of 180s—five in total—and raising his average to a blistering 110 by the match’s end.
As the legs progressed, the tension in Birmingham was palpable. Bunting, who had stunned Littler in Rotterdam’s semi-final two weeks prior with a 6-5 upset, refused to buckle. “I’ve tried 110 per cent every single week,” Bunting said after his Berlin victory, a sentiment that echoed in his relentless performance. He pushed Littler to the brink, leveling the score at 4-4 with a clinical 107 checkout. But Littler’s composure under pressure shone through. Trailing 4-2, he clawed back with a 145 finish to stay alive, a moment that had the crowd roaring. “Littler does the business!” one observer exclaimed as he sealed the decider with a double 10, a nod to his knack for clutch finishes.
The final leg was a microcosm of Littler’s meteoric rise. Despite missing a chance at a 138 checkout, he held his nerve, pinning tops to secure the 6-5 win. “It was a slow start for Luke Littler, but he gets over the line against Stephen Bunting,” the post-match analysis noted, underscoring his ability to adapt. Bunting, gracious in defeat, averaged 97.12 and hit three 180s, but Littler’s 50% double success rate proved the difference. “I’m just pleased I grinded it out,” Littler might have echoed, channeling the resilience he’s shown all season.
This victory keeps Littler firmly atop the Premier League table, inching him closer to a second consecutive title as the season nears its climax at The O2 in London on May 29. For Bunting, the loss stings but doesn’t diminish his remarkable 2024, which included a Masters title and a World Championship semi-final run. “I believe I can still get into the top four if I keep this performance up,” Bunting could well have said, mirroring the optimism of peers like Chris Dobey after similar battles.
As the Premier League roadshow moves to Sheffield for its final league-stage night, Littler’s clash with Bunting serves as a reminder of the sport’s unrelenting drama. With the top four set to contest the play-offs, every dart counts, and Littler’s ability to thrive in pressure-cooker moments makes him the man to watch. Birmingham’s fans, drenched in the thrill of this epic encounter, left the arena buzzing, eager for the next chapter in darts’ most captivating saga.
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