Luke Humphrys avoids Luke Littler ahead of Premier League finals night as Stephen Bunting wins at Sheffield | Darts News

Defending champions Luke Humphries edged out Luke Littler ahead of the Premier League play-offs to reach the final in Sheffield but it was Stephen Bunting who ran riot to win.

Bunting closed the curtain on the league stage of this season’s competition in style, securing victory with a 6-3 win over Humphries.

‘The Bullet’ averaged over 106 and shot seven 180s to finish fifth on the second night of the campaign.

Humphries will face 2024 champion and world No 1 Littler, 2021 champion Jonny Clayton and 2023 runner-up Garwin Price on the final night at The O2 in London next Thursday.

‘Cool Hand’ made his fourth consecutive night final as he defeated 19-year-old Luke Littler 6-1 to secure third place in the Premier League table.

The 31-year-old Newbury thrower averaged 100.82 as he beat the world no.1 for the second consecutive week.

“Humphries bullied Littler,” said former Lakeside champion Mark Webster. “Littler is out tonight but take nothing away from Humphries, who wants to put himself in a position to avoid Littler next week.

“He limited Littler to very few opportunities, outscored him. From the word go, he was the best player and never gave up.”

Bunting was on course for his second victory of the night as he beat Price 6-3 over the last four legs in fine style.

The match was briefly suspended as both players – assisted by referee Wayne Binks – appeared to inform security about an unruly spectator.

Wayne Mardell explained: “Someone had a problem with being a bit wall. Price apparently said he wasn’t going to throw another dart until they were kicked out of the venue.”

In the end it was the Liverpudlian who cruised to the finish line with a stunning 161 checkout.

“Gazzi will be delighted to be in the playoffs – but will feel he should have placed better (than fourth),” Webster said.

“There was that week in Manchester where he felt unfit to play and you thought he would get more points.

“He has stumbled since breaking into the top four – but will take encouragement from Littler’s performance tonight.”

Humphries survives the match dart to set up a Littler semi-final clash

With both players blowing hot and cold in the 11 legs, it was Littler who won a frenetic contest against Josh Rock in a deciding leg thriller – looking for a record seventh night win.

Despite averaging just 87.89, Littler punished ‘Rocky’, who was penalized for several missed doubles late in the match.

Humphries averaged 105.24 to beat Michael van Gerwen 6-5 to keep his hopes of third place alive.

The former world champion survived a match dart from Van Gerwen to set up a semi-final showdown with Littler in a last-leg decider.

“Luke played really well. Michael pushed him the whole way,” Laura Turner said. “It’s good that he came through a battle and looked relaxed at times. He didn’t let a few missed doubles get to him.”

Price scored 112 in unique fashion to book his place in the semi-finals with a 6-2 win over Gian van Veen.

‘The Iceman’ went 3-0 with an average of 125 and finished the match on a low-scoring double 17.

Bunting tore up the form book at Steel City as he ensured Clayton’s league campaign ended with a third quarter-final defeat in four weeks as he won his first quarter-final clash with a 102 finish and a superb 102.2 average.

What’s happening on Premier League final night?

The 2026 BetMGM Premier League concludes on Finals Night at the O2 in London.

Table-topper Littler will take on fourth-placed Price, while second-placed Clayton and third-placed Humphries will face off for a place in the final.

Who will win this Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the final night on Sky Sports next Thursday. Stream darts and more great games now.