Luke Humphries Open to ‘Crazy Concepts’ as Darts Heads to Saudi Arabia for the First Time

The PDC has confirmed that next year’s World Series will head to the Middle East for the first time, with Riyadh set to host the historic event in mid-January as part of the annual Riyadh Season.

The competition, taking place from January 19–20 at the Global Theater in Riyadh, marks a major step in darts’ global expansion. The venue recently staged the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship and now prepares to welcome the world’s best arrows players.

The announcement follows a groundbreaking collaboration between Matchroom Sport and Riyadh Season, which is also bringing boxing, snooker and other major sports to Saudi Arabia.

Following his 2-0 victory over Nathan Aspinall in the opening round of the 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix, world number one Luke Humphries shared his thoughts on the landmark move.

“I’m just a darts player. I go where I’m asked to play.”

Humphries admitted that the news came as a surprise but insisted he’s happy to go wherever the sport takes him.

“I mean to be honest; I didn't really have a thought on it until one or two days ago when it [the news] came out. I'm just a darts player. I'm here to play. If I get asked to play and get invited to play, that's all I'm doing. Wherever the PDC takes it, I'm going to go,” Humphries told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

The Middle East venture has largely been driven by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, who has spearheaded the country’s recent push to host high-profile sporting events.

“As long as he pays as much as he does for the snooker and boxing, I don’t care.”

The Middle East venture has largely been driven by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, who has spearheaded the country’s recent push to host high-profile sporting events.

Humphries believes Saudi involvement could bring major financial benefits to darts, similar to what boxing and snooker have already experienced under Alalshikh’s patronage.

“Honestly, I couldn't care to, but whatever he [Turki Alalshikh] wants to do is great as long as he pays as much as he does for the snooker in the boxing, I don't care.”

While he understands that the decision to host events in Saudi Arabia will spark debate, Humphries personally supports the move.

“Obviously, this is my job. I know a lot of people obviously think that it's not the greatest thing, but I think it is good.”

“I'm happy to play in there. We're trying to grow the sport around the world and Saudi Arabia seems to be this new hotspot.”

“If I'm picked, I'm there wherever it is, if it's there, if it's Japan, if it's South Africa, if it's Australia, I go.”

“If it's a good success then it's great. If it's not a success then who knows, but yeah, I'm just going to turn up, be there and hopefully it's a million pound for the winner,” he joked.

‘crazy concepts’ could shake up the sport

Alalshikh has hinted that he wants to bring innovation to darts, much like he did with the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, where a new “golden ball” rule awarded a $1 million (£745,000) bonus for a perfect 167 clearance.

His plans for darts are yet to be revealed, but with Saudi Arabia’s strict no-alcohol regulations, some aspects of the sport’s culture will undoubtedly adapt.

When asked whether he’d be open to a “crazy concept” in the Saudi event, Humphries said he’d welcome changes that make the game more exciting for modern audiences.

“There are so many different formats and stuff like that. People want Ryder Cups, Royal Rumbles, all these types of things. So, they can't complain if we go there and do something different.”

“It's growing the sport in different ways but making it doing different things and obviously just playing 501 and all the time can be quite a bit boring for people is maybe we need something different.”

“If it's Quadro boards, if it's 1,001 best of one, I don't care.”

Among the possible innovations being discussed are the ‘Quadro board’, featuring a new quadruple scoring segment that raises the maximum score from 180 to 240, and a one-leg shootout format starting from 1001 points.

Humphries says he’s open to either idea.

“If it's Quadro boards, if it's 1,001 best of one, I don't care, I'll be there and I'll enjoy it.”

“Hopefully it's a good thing and we have good fun there and it grows a sport in the Middle East even more than it's now.”

With darts set to make its debut in the Middle East, the sport continues to expand to new markets, and Humphries, the current face of the game, is embracing the adventure.

Whether it’s a Quadro board, a wild new rule, or just another stage to shine on, the world number one is ready to throw wherever the oche is placed.