Darts May 30, 2026

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler crowned champion after dramatic 11-10 victory over Luke Humphries in final

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Premier League Darts: Luke Littler crowned champion after dramatic 11-10 victory over Luke Humphries in final

Luke Littler came through a last-leg 11-10 thriller against Luke Humphries to be crowned Premier League champion at The O2 in London.

It was a truly dramatic affair in what marked a trilogy Premier League final between the world No 1 and No 2. Littler took glory in 2024, with Humphries hitting back in 2025. 'The Nuke' reclaimed the trophy with a match average of over 111.

The win sees him take home £350,000, while runner-up Humphries collects £170,000.

With the victory, Littler now holds eight major titles - the World Darts Championship, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Players Championship, UK Open, World Masters and now the Premier League.

Both players sealed their spots in the final after last-leg epics. Littler survived what was an almost almighty comeback from 9-4 down from Gerwyn Price in the opening semi-final, while Humphries managed to win his last-four tussle with Jonny Clayton 10-9.

Remarkably, all 59 possible legs were played on Finals Night with all three matches going all the way.

Littler was visibly emotional following his victory and admitted the Premier League campaign had taken its toll with the crowd often against him. The boos he has been receiving stemmed from an incident with Gian van Veen in Manchester when the Dutchman took issue with Littler celebrating a missed match dart.

"It was a rollercoaster first four weeks, bottom of the table, but then the fifth night I won my first night. I had to pick myself up, some tough times," Littler told Your Site.

"I think I had a 79 average in Brighton or something like that and it was tough. But I am here with the trophy.

"After Brighton and the incident in Manchester, I was sat at home saying to Faith [his partner] 'I don't want to do it any more, just the crowd every week'. I said to her 'I'm down bad'."

The trilogy encounter was one of the most brilliant Premier League finals we have seen as Littler and Humphries went toe to toe in an intense 21-leg battle.

The first session was all about Humphries as he averaged 114.73 and put on what can only be described as a masterclass of finishing with a 134 tops-tops finish, 112, then 121 on the bullseye in consecutive legs to move 6-3 in front.

Indeed, it took an 11-darter from Littler to stop the rot as he went in at the break 6-4 behind.

Littler always says that he comes back out after a break improved and that showed once again as the contest truly became nip and tuck - an 11-dart break of throw from Littler was followed by Humphries hitting back to lead 7-5.

Humphries then spurned a number of chances as the world No 1 levelled things at 7-7 before they edged closer to the finish with the score primed at 9-9.

Littler looked like he had things wrapped up when he found six perfect darts for a 10-dart break of throw that moved him one leg from victory, but Humphries showed nerves of steel to take out a pressurised D4.

However, Littler did not back down and nailed tops to claim a second Premier League title.

Despite Price being the heavier scorer in the opening exchanges of their semi-final, Littler looked the most in control and rattled off five legs in a row to move 9-4 in front and one leg from another Premier League final.

However, Price then found his groove and remarkably took five successive legs of his own, hitting a sensational 124 finish on the way, to level it at 9-9.

There was some drama in the 15th leg when Price hit a 170 mid-leg and jokingly reeled in 'The Big Fish' to the crowd.

The world No 1 was not impressed with the celebration in his eyeline and complained to referee Huw Ware. Ware then warned Price who quickly apologised to his opponent, putting his arm around Littler.

In spite of the dramatics, the final leg saw normal service resumed and, with Price's scoring eluding him at precisely the wrong moment, Littler took out his seventh match dart on D16 to ensure he was in 'the big dance'.

In a similar showing to the first semi-final, Humphries and Clayton traded blows in the opening exchanges that saw the world No 2 go in 6-4 up at the break, but, as has been evident across this Premier League, the Welshman kept coming.

That fighting spirit buoyed 'The Ferret' throughout the contest and, after bringing the score to 7-7, a 10-darter and break of throw moved the Welshman one leg from victory.

However, Humphries has also been renowned for his resilience this Premier League campaign, battling hard to make it to Finals Night, and that had to come to the forefront once again as he clinched victory in some style, retaliating with three legs in a row, including a clutch 121 finish, to ensure he had the chance to retain his title.

It was a bitter ending for Clayton who looked upset at some suspected whistling during his match darts.

Your Site is once again the home of the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and more!

Tags:

darts news

Share this article

Related Posts

Beau Greaves for the Premier League? 'There is no ceiling - she's still getting better', says Laura Turner

Beau Greaves for the Premier League? 'There is no ceiling - she's still getting better', says Laura Turner

What's next for brilliant Beau Greaves? The Premier League? "There is no ceiling - she's still getting better," claims Your Site' Laura Turner.Greaves...

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler and Gian van Veen could meet as Luke Humphries bids to kickstart title defence in Brighton

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler and Gian van Veen could meet as Luke Humphries bids to kickstart title defence in Brighton

World No 1 Luke Littler and rival Gian van Veen could be set for a swift reunion in Brighton following their heated spat which boiled over last Thursd...

Luke Littler: PDC chief Matt Porter says 'The Nuke' has 'thrived' on Premier League Darts fan hostility but 'may need different approach'

Luke Littler: PDC chief Matt Porter says 'The Nuke' has 'thrived' on Premier League Darts fan hostility but 'may need different approach'

Luke Littler has "thrived" on hostility from darts fans but may need to take a "different approach" in the future, says PDC chief executive Matt Porte...

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler's jibe at 'flat' Aberdeen crowd 'we need another Scottish player to bring up atmosphere'

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler's jibe at 'flat' Aberdeen crowd 'we need another Scottish player to bring up atmosphere'

Luke Littler jokingly said that Premier League Darts is in need of another Scottish player "to bring up at the atmosphere" as he reacted to a 'flat' A...

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler beats Michael van Gerwen in Berlin final to take top spot from Jonny Clayton

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler beats Michael van Gerwen in Berlin final to take top spot from Jonny Clayton

Luke Littler moved top of the Premier League Darts table and claimed his third nightly win of the season after beating Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in a dra...

Beau Greaves reflects on making more history as first woman to win PDC ranking title: 'Three of my best darts ever'

Beau Greaves reflects on making more history as first woman to win PDC ranking title: 'Three of my best darts ever'

Beau Greaves has been at the top of the women's darts for a long time and has now made history on the PDC Pro Tour with three of her "best darts ever"...