Premier League Darts 2025: Luke Humphries Wants Shot at Redemption Against Luke Littler in London Final

Sporting a custom-made Leeds United darts shirt, Luke Humphries couldn’t have asked for a better return to the city as he picked up his third nightly win in this year’s Premier League, mathematically securing his place in the O2 Arena playoffs in London.

Just days after his beloved Leeds United sealed their long-awaited return to the Premier League, the 29-year-old kept the party going on stage. Leeds may not be his hometown, but thanks to his Elland Road allegiances, Humphries was met with a hometown roar from the crowd.

Statement win over Littler caps big night

On the night, Humphries put together a hugely impressive run—beating three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals, Stephen Bunting in the semis, before defeating reigning world champion Luke Littler in a hard-fought final.

It was yet another instalment in darts’ most compelling new rivalry. The two Lukes have now faced off six times in this year’s Premier League alone, with three wins apiece. It’s without doubt the sport’s fiercest competitive battle at present.

‘I'd want to watch it every week’ — Humphries defends rivalry

Despite the growing hype, some critics have suggested the repeated meetings between Humphries and Littler are making the matchup lose its novelty, with the current Premier League format coming under scrutiny as a result.

In response, Humphries dismissed those concerns post-match, insisting that if he were a fan watching from home, he’d want to see the two best players in the world go head-to-head every week. 

He even likened their battles to the recent clash between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn—saying it’s the kind of fight he’d happily watch night after night.

“I think it all depends on what you wanna see. Do you wanna see the best players in the world playing against each other, or do you not want to wait six months for it? That's, that's the argument,” Humphries told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“I think a lot of people say, oh, it gets boring. But I tell you what I love watching the two best sportsmen in the world going against each other, to be honest, in other sports.”

“You watch boxing, and you see you Eubank Jr and Benn, what a fight that was, do I wanna see that 20 times? Yeah, I would, 'cause it was great fight, you know, I wouldn't want to go and see, watch them fight against other people that weren't as good because it wouldn't be as fun.”

“I understand that when you're playing each other a lot it does get tedious. But yeah, for me as a sport fan, I just personally love seeing the best go against each other.”

‘Just enjoy it’ — call to fans

In fact, Humphries issued a direct challenge to any fans tired of the rivalry, urging them to embrace the level of competition on display.

He also stated that he’s hoping for another showdown with Littler in the Premier League final at London’s O2 in a few weeks’ time—a repeat of last year’s decider, but with a different result in his favour.

“I think the fans should, should enjoy it to be honest. it's two of the best players in the world playing against each other.”

“Hopefully, in my opinion, I want to see him in the Premier League final as well, because I just love playing against him.”

Littler brings out the best in Humphries

Humphries admits there’s no opponent he enjoys facing more than Littler. While some might feel pressure, he thrives on the test.

“No disrespect to anyone else, but when you are playing against him, you have to be at your best. If you’re not, you’ll get beaten.”

“It gets you out of bed and makes you want to play better. I enjoy it more than any other game of darts.”

No complaints over the format

With some calling for the PDC to revert to the older format—where each player only played once a night over the 16-week campaign—Humphries was asked whether a shake-up might benefit the product.

But the world number one stayed diplomatic. With only two Premier League campaigns under his belt, he says he doesn’t feel in a position to compare—but added that the current format is helping him grow as a player.

“For me, whether it's one game a night, five games a night, I'm happy to be here to be honest. So, whatever they choose in the future, I'm just happy to be a part of it.”