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Luke Humphries retained the US Darts Masters title with a thrilling deciding-leg win over Luke Littler on a record-breaking night in New York.
Humphries made another slice of history at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first player to win back-to-back titles in the Big Apple.
Humphries and Littler partnered England to World Cup glory earlier this month and the world’s top two teams resumed their rivalry in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,000 fans – a record for darts in the US.
Littler aimed to lift the coveted crown for the first time in his career, although the reigning champion had other ideas, taking a commanding 4-1 lead.
The world number one responded with four straight legs to seize the initiative, only for Humphries to convert late on and celebrate his third World Series of Darts title.
“It’s the most iconic venue I think Darts will ever go to.” Reflected Humphries, who averaged 104 to win a thrilling final.
“Every year we come here it gets better and better, and the fans have been absolutely amazing. It’s crazy.
“It’s great to do back-to-backs. I’m always setting records and doing things that not many players have done.
“Me and Luke always have great games, and this is another great game in the Luke vs. Luke saga.
“I think if I can continue to perform like this I can push him, because he is incredible. He can beat the toughest player in the world.”
Littler fought back from 4-1 down in the finals, but lost the final decision
Humphries averaged over 107 in the opening stages of Friday’s showpiece, but after wasting two darts for a 5-1 lead, the pendulum appeared to have swung.
Littler – who crashed to nine maximums during a pulsating affair – hit back with a trademark mid-match burst to take control, but Humphries leveled at 5-5 with a clinical 72 kills.
The pair then exchanged convincing holds in the closing stages and the throwing advantage proved crucial for Humphries, who conjured a sensational 11-darter to complete the fairytale finish in New York.
The 31-year-old produced a superb performance on the final day, beating Stephen Bunting and Gian van Veen to win his latest major stage title.
After averaging around 106 in a 6–3 win over Bunting, Humphries produced a sensational four-leg flurry to topple Van Veen, overturning a 6–3 deficit and winning by two darts.
Humphries had previously survived two matches on darts and defeated Gian van Veen, setting up another final against Littler.
Littler, meanwhile, averaged north of 102 in his 6-1 win over another Canadian, Jim Long, in the quarterfinals, after his first-round victory over David Cameron.
Despite the ten-time TV champion averaging more than a ton and hitting double figures in all four of his attempts, the world champion held off a resilient James Wade in the last four.
“It was an incredible experience tonight,” admitted the 19-year-old, who was in his first US Darts Masters final.
“There were a lot of England fans going to the World Cup game (tomorrow) so I appreciate them coming along.
“They were getting louder and louder as the night went on and I wish I could be fair to them!”
Earlier in the night, Wade Garwin won in a high-quality affair against Price, denying the 2024 runner-up a 103.93 average in a 6-3 success.
In the other quarter-final of the evening, Van Veen brushed aside Johnny Clayton on the same scoreline, posting an average of 106 and converting a brace of ton-plus checkouts in the process.
The World Series of Darts continues in August with a double header in New Zealand and Australia, visiting Auckland and Wollongong before September’s World Series of Darts Final.
US Darts Masters
Thursday 25 June
Round one
Gian van Veen 6-1 Fred Krueger
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Brayden Hall
James Wade 6-3 Adam Sebada
Jim Long 6-4 Josh Rock
Luke Littler 6-4 David Cameron
Luke Humphries 6-1 Leonard Gates
Johnny Clayton 6-2 Gary Mawson
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Alex Spellman
Friday 26 June
Quarter-final
Luke Littler 6-1 Jim Long
James Wade 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries 6-3 Stephen Bunting
Gian van Veen 6-3 Johnny Clayton
semi-final
Luke Littler 7-4 James Wade
Luke Humphries 7-6 Gian van Veen
the final
Luke Humphries 8-7 Luke Littler
What’s happening next for Sky Sports?
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will be held at the iconic Winter Garden from 18-26 July, with a 32-player field competing for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.
World No 1 Luke Littler will be eyeing back-to-back titles in Blackpool, set to star in the £1million event alongside 2024 champion Luke Humphries and three-time World Matchplay winner Michael van Gerwen.
This summer’s action will also see the fifth stage of the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay, as eight of the biggest names in the women’s game battle it out for the title currently held by Lisa Ashton.
Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will defend his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream Darts and more great games now.
