The Theater at Madison Square Garden is alive with the electric energy of darts fans as the 2025 US Darts Masters unfolds, showcasing a clash of titans and underdogs vying for a share of a hefty $137,000 prize fund. Held over two thrilling days, June 27 and 28, 2025, the tournament brings together eight of the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) finest, including world number one Luke Humphries and two-time champion Michael van Gerwen, alongside eight North American hopefuls. At the forefront is 18-year-old phenom Luke Littler, whose meteoric rise has made him the sport’s brightest star. Fresh off a disappointing World Cup of Darts, Littler is laser-focused on claiming the $41,000 top prize and cementing his legacy in New York City.
Littler, known as “The Nuke,” stormed into the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-1 victory over Dutch-born American Jules van Dongen, punctuated by a jaw-dropping 120 checkout with three consecutive double tops. The performance underscored his hunger to add another title to his 2025 haul, which already includes the PDC World Championship, Premier League, and World Series events in Bahrain and Copenhagen, pushing his career earnings past $1 million. “I’m playing for myself, but also you’ve got to look at this longer game,” Littler said, reflecting his ambition to inspire a new generation of players. His vision for darts’ growth in America is bold: “I can see that the darts over here, it’s going crazy,” he remarked, dreaming of a day when the sport fills Madison Square Garden’s 19,500-capacity main arena.
The US Darts Masters prize fund, a significant jump from last year’s $82,200, reflects the sport’s soaring popularity in North America. The winner will claim $41,000, the runner-up $21,900, semi-finalists $13,700 each, quarter-finalists $6,800, and first-round losers $2,400. The event’s appeal lies in its unique format, pitting PDC stars against regional talents like Danny Lauby and Stowe Buntz. Friday’s first round featured best-of-11-leg matches, while Saturday’s quarter-finals, semi-finals (best-of-13), and final (best-of-15) promise intense battles. Ticket sales have surged 10% from 2024, with 8,500 fans packing the venue, creating a raucous atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the World Series.
The tournament has already delivered stunning upsets. Defending champion Rob Cross was obliterated 6-0 by American Danny Lauby, who declared, “I’m ready for tomorrow,” as he prepared to face Humphries in the quarters. Top seed Stephen Bunting, riding high from wins in Bahrain and Copenhagen, fell 6-4 to qualifier Jason Brandon, who channeled the crowd’s energy for a career-defining victory. “My goal was to come up here and get a little bit of redemption,” Brandon said, eyeing his quarter-final against Damon Heta. Humphries narrowly avoided an upset, rallying to defeat Buntz 6-4, while Gerwyn Price (102.47 average) and van Gerwen cruised past Adam Sevada and Leonard Gates, respectively, setting up a blockbuster quarter-final. Littler’s next challenge is Nathan Aspinall, who demolished Matt Campbell with a 105 average and eight 180s. “I’m feeling way better about my darts now,” Aspinall said, relishing the showdown.
Littler’s journey transcends prize money. His 2025 World Championship triumph over van Gerwen, a 7-3 rout watched by 3.7 million on Sky Sports, marked him as darts’ youngest-ever champion and a “Tiger Woods moment” for the sport, according to PDC founder Barry Hearn. In New York, Littler aims to achieve a televised nine-dart finish, a feat yet to grace a PDC World Series event. “The nine-darter, it’s the hardest thing you can do,” he said, noting the crowd’s love for such magic. Off the oche, Littler and his family have embraced New York, visiting landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, a testament to how his success has transformed his life.
Saturday’s action also includes the bet365 North American Championship, where eight regional players compete for $10,000 and spots in the World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts. Broadcast on Peacock in the US and ITV4 in the UK, the US Darts Masters is a cornerstone of darts’ global expansion. For Littler, a victory would not only boost his bank account but also solidify his role as the sport’s torchbearer, potentially paving the way for darts to conquer Madison Square Garden’s main stage in the future.
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