The 2025 World Series of Darts has concluded its global journey with a dramatic finale, as Stephen Bunting secured the top spot in the Order of Merit, cementing his status as the year’s standout performer. The St. Helens native, known as “The Bullet,” amassed 49 points across seven electrifying tournaments, finishing six points clear of his closest rivals, Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price. The 18-year-old sensation Littler and the Welsh powerhouse Price both ended on 43 points, with Littler edging second place on countback thanks to his back-to-back triumphs in Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen faced an unexpected setback, finishing 10th with nine points, a rare stumble for the Dutch legend.
Bunting’s dominance began in January at the Bahrain Darts Masters, where he outclassed Gerwyn Price 8-4 in the final, setting the tone for his remarkable season. “I’m thrilled to be at the top,” Bunting said, reflecting on his consistent brilliance. A week later, he reached the Dutch Darts Masters final in Den Bosch, only to fall to Rob Cross. Undeterred, Bunting roared back in June, defeating Cross in Copenhagen’s Nordic Darts Masters to claim his second title of the year. His fourth final appearance came at the Poland Darts Masters in July, where Price turned the tables with an 8-7 last-leg thriller. “Consistency was my hallmark,” Bunting noted, crediting his relentless pursuit of finals—reaching four out of seven events—for his Order of Merit triumph.
Luke Littler, the teenage prodigy dubbed “The Nuke,” overcame a slow start to ignite the World Series with a spectacular finish. After a semi-final in Den Bosch as his only highlight in the first five events, Littler found his groove Down Under. He survived a first-round scare against New Zealand’s Haupai Puha in Wollongong, winning 6-5, before storming to the Australian Darts Masters title with victories over Damon Heta, Bunting, and Mike De Decker. His momentum carried into Auckland, where he delivered a record-breaking 115.02 average in the New Zealand Darts Masters final, crushing De Decker 8-4. “That’s when I felt like no one could beat me,” Littler said, recalling a practice nine-darter that boosted his confidence. His dual Oceanic triumphs made him only the third player, alongside Van Gerwen (2019) and Cross (2023), to win both Australia and New Zealand in the same year.
Gerwyn Price, “The Iceman,” remained a formidable force, securing the Poland Darts Masters with a nail-biting victory over Bunting. His earlier win in Copenhagen’s Nordic Darts Masters showcased his clutch mentality, though he couldn’t overtake Bunting’s lead. “When he’s on it, he’s untouchable,” Luke Humphries said of Littler, but the sentiment could apply to Price, whose 104 average against Chris Dobey in Poland underlined his class. Humphries himself finished fourth with 32 points, highlighted by his US Darts Masters triumph at Madison Square Garden.
Van Gerwen’s 10th-place finish, however, raised eyebrows. Opting to skip three events—Australia, New Zealand, and one other—proved costly for “Mighty Mike,” who earned just nine points. “I think this could be the start of something really nice,” Van Gerwen had said optimistically after a win at the World Matchplay, but his World Series campaign faltered, leaving him unseeded for the upcoming World Series Finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14. The top eight—Bunting, Littler, Price, Humphries, Cross (27 points), Dobey (20 points), Aspinall (20 points), and De Decker (11 points)—will be seeded, with De Decker’s late surge, including finals in Australia and New Zealand, earning him a valuable eighth spot.
The World Series Finals promise a thrilling climax, with a 32-player field including the top eight, additional invitees like Josh Rock (six points), Peter Wright (five points), and Jonny Clayton (four points), and eight spots via a Tour Card qualifier on August 27. Bunting’s commanding lead, Littler’s blistering form, and Price’s relentless drive set the stage for a blockbuster showdown. “I’m ready for the big tournaments coming up,” Price declared, signaling his intent to challenge for the Finals trophy. As the darts world turns its eyes to Amsterdam, Bunting’s Order of Merit triumph stands as a testament to his grit, while Littler’s late surge and Van Gerwen’s rare dip keep the narrative unpredictable.
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