The electrifying rivalry between Luke Humphries and Luke Littler has taken the darts world by storm, but not everyone is thrilled with how often these titans clash. Steve Beaton, a revered figure in darts and the 1996 Lakeside world champion, has voiced concerns that the current Premier League Darts format is diluting the excitement of this blockbuster matchup. With the 2025 season nearing its climax, Beaton’s call for change has sparked a lively debate about how to keep the sport’s biggest rivalries fresh and engaging.
The Premier League, a weekly showcase of darts’ elite, has seen Humphries and Littler face off repeatedly this season. These frequent encounters, driven by the tournament’s compact eight-player format, have produced thrilling matches but also a sense of déjà vu. Beaton, who retired from the PDC circuit at the end of 2024, argues that the constant repetition of high-profile matchups is diminishing their allure. “It’s getting a bit boring now,” he told reporters, reflecting on the season’s schedule. “It was nice to see Luke and Luke play each other, but almost every week they’re playing each other. There’s too much of [the same] players playing each other.”
Beaton’s critique centers on the format’s structure, which pits the top players against each other multiple times before the playoffs. While this ensures high-stakes drama, it risks overexposing rivalries like Humphries versus Littler, the last two PDC world champions. The duo’s frequent battles have been a highlight of the 2025 season, with each match showcasing their exceptional skill and competitive spirit. However, Beaton fears that familiarity is eroding the special quality of these showdowns. “You’ve seen them play that many times all year… they met now and again, now they’re playing all the time,” he said. “I don’t think it’s such a big thing when they do play each other.”
The Premier League’s current setup, with its round-robin style and limited player pool, contrasts with its earlier iterations, which featured larger fields of 10 or 12 players and fewer repeat matchups. Beaton advocates a return to this model, where each player competes once per night, spreading the competition across a broader range of talent. This change, he believes, would preserve the novelty of marquee rivalries while giving emerging players more opportunities to shine. “If that’s how they want to do it, that’s how they want to do it,” Beaton remarked, acknowledging the PDC’s commercial success but urging a rethink to maintain the sport’s competitive edge.
The Humphries-Littler rivalry has been a focal point of the 2025 season, with both players securing their spots in the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena on May 29. Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy, clinched top spot in the standings with a 6-3 victory over Humphries in Aberdeen, a match that underscored their intense competition. Humphries, despite averaging an impressive 110 and hitting nine 180s, couldn’t overcome Littler’s precision. The pair’s chemistry extends beyond the oche, as they are set to team up for England at the World Cup of Darts in Germany nextවිත්, highlighting their growing camaraderie.
Beaton’s concerns resonate with other critics who argue that the Premier League risks becoming predictable. The format’s success in selling out venues is undeniable, but the repetitive nature of the matchups has led to calls for innovation. With only one playoff spot remaining as the season heads to its final night in Sheffield, players like Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen are vying for the last berth alongside Littler, Humphries, and Gerwyn Price. The outcome will determine who joins these stars in the high-stakes finale, where rivalries like Humphries-Littler could reach new heights—if the format allows their clashes to remain a rare and electrifying spectacle.
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