In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 World Series of Darts regular season, Stephen Bunting, affectionately known as “The Bullet,” has clinched the top spot in the World Series Order of Merit, finishing with a commanding 49 points. The St. Helens native’s remarkable consistency across seven global events has solidified his status as a leading force, leaving young superstar Luke Littler and Welsh veteran Gerwyn Price tied for second with 43 points each, while three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen languished in 10th place with just nine points. As the darting world turns its attention to the World Series Finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14, Bunting’s triumph sets the stage for a dramatic showdown at AFAS Live Arena.
Bunting’s journey to the top began with a statement victory at the Bahrain Darts Masters in January, where he dispatched Gerwyn Price 8-4 in the final to claim his first of two titles in 2025. “I was fuming and he just went on and won it,” Luke Littler later reflected, recalling his own disappointment in Gliwice, where Price edged out Bunting in a thrilling 8-7 decider at the Poland Darts Masters. Bunting’s second triumph came in June at the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen, where he avenged a prior loss to Rob Cross, securing a 7-4 victory. His consistency shone through with four final appearances, including a runner-up finish to Cross at the Dutch Darts Masters in Den Bosch and another to Price in Poland. “It’s been one of the best seasons of my career,” Bunting said, crediting his relentless practice and mental resilience.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old reigning PDC world champion, staged a late surge to secure second place on countback over Price, thanks to back-to-back titles in August. After a slow start with no finals in his first five events, “The Nuke” erupted Down Under, winning the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong with an 8-4 rout of Mike De Decker, followed by a stunning 115-average performance in the New Zealand Darts Masters final. Littler’s oceanic double made him only the third player, after Van Gerwen (2019) and Cross (2023), to win both events in the same year. “I didn’t have an ego going on the stage,” Littler remarked, reflecting on his World Cup of Darts experience alongside Luke Humphries, where their lack of synergy led to an early exit. His World Series success, however, underscores his ability to perform under pressure, particularly after surviving a first-round scare against Haupai Puha in Australia, where he clinched a 6-5 victory.
Gerwyn Price, known as “The Iceman,” matched Littler’s 43 points with a season highlighted by his Poland Darts Masters title. His 8-7 victory over Bunting in Gliwice showcased his clutch mentality, avenging his earlier loss in Bahrain. Price’s path included strong wins over Sebastian Bialecki, Chris Dobey, and Rob Cross, but he skipped the Nordic Darts Masters, allowing Littler to close the gap. “I’m ready for the big tournaments coming up,” Price declared after his Copenhagen absence, signaling his focus on majors like the upcoming World Grand Prix.
Michael van Gerwen’s 10th-place finish, with just nine points, marks a rare low for the Dutch legend. Skipping three events—Bahrain, Nordic, and New Zealand—hampered his campaign, leaving him unseeded for the Amsterdam finals. “I think this could be the start of something really nice,” Van Gerwen said optimistically after a World Matchplay win over Raymond van Barneveld, but his limited World Series participation left him vulnerable to an early clash with top seeds like Littler or Bunting. His quarter-final run in Poland, earning three points, was his best showing, but it wasn’t enough to crack the top eight.
The top eight, who earn seeded status for the finals, include Luke Humphries (32 points), Rob Cross (27), Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall (20 each), and Mike De Decker (11). Humphries, the world No. 1, claimed the US Darts Masters title at Madison Square Garden, defeating Aspinall 8-6, while Cross’s Dutch Darts Masters win kept him in contention. De Decker and Damon Heta, both on 11 points, round out the seeded spots, with Heta narrowly missing out due to countback. Josh Rock (six points), Peter Wright (five), and Jonny Clayton (four) are expected to receive invitations, while seven players, including Dutch trio Jermaine Wattimena, Kevin Doets, and Raymond van Barneveld, sit on three points, hoping for a home-nation nod. A Tour Card qualifier on August 27 will determine the final eight spots in the 32-player field.
Bunting’s dominance, with two titles and two runner-up finishes, has set a high bar. As the No. 1 seed, he’ll aim to cap his stellar season at the World Series Finals, where Littler’s late momentum and Price’s experience pose significant threats. Van Gerwen, despite his struggles, remains a wildcard capable of upsetting the favorites. With the darting world converging on Amsterdam, the stage is set for a thrilling finale to the 2025 World Series.
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