He’s been the winner of seven major PDC titles – but admits as time goes on, he may be forced to pick and choose events.
Gerwyn Price reveals darts rival who rattled him most and it led to awkward moment on stage
The Iceman continued: “I would never give up totally.
“But the Pro Tours and Europeans, depending on how many it’s going to be at that time, because it’s getting more and more every year, but I’ll stop doing those.
“I would never give my Tour Card up. I’d still do events and if they invite me to the Premier League and World Series, I’ll still do them.
“But none of the lower events and just stop the travelling.”
Darts’ hectic pro schedule has become a major talking point among the sport’s elite.
Nathan Aspinall recently branded the calendar “absolutely obscene”.
The Asp fumed: “For us to take a weekend off, I have to pull out events.
“So I’m losing ranking money because I just need a few days off.
“And I’ve done that over the last couple of weeks because I was in a tight position in the Premier League, I really wanted to make the playoffs.”
He won £275,000 for winning the title to add to three nightly wins of £30k in total and picking up gold darts worth £30k for a nine-darter.
Bet UK revealed that this meant the Leeds fan earned a mind-blowing £19,706 per week. That worked out at £1,006 per leg, £9,306 per match and £4,926 per hour.
Teen sensation Littler didn’t do so bad either as runner-up.
He earned an astonishing £12,647 per week on average in the BetMGM Premier League season.
With each night taking around four hours to complete, Littler earned a jaw-dropping £3.1k per hour from the competition.
He played the most matches in the Premier League, racking up 37 matches in 16 weeks, during the regular season, earning £90,000 in the process.
He then played two matches on Finals Night, where he finished second after his 11-8 defeat in the final to Humphries, claiming a further £125,000 as a consolation prize and taking his prize money total to £215,000.
Research by BetUK reveals Littler earned £5,513 per match and £556 per leg this season.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries play out ‘best darts match ever’ as Wayne Mardle says ‘even they’re finding it funny’
Gerwyn Price also had a really successful season, earning a total of £175,000 in prize money.
That breaks down to £10,294 per week, £665 per leg and £6,250 per match.
Price’s average earnings also work out to be higher than Littler’s, despite earning less prize money, as the Welshman played 11 fewer games and more than 100 fewer legs than the superstar.
A Littler hold of throw as the break came at the right time for Littler – he’s won four of the five legs since!
That one sees him miss D12 for an 84 checkout but Price isn’t on a finish to punish, leaving Littler the chance to come back for D6 and takes it.
Luke Littler 7-7 Gerwyn Price*
Another BREAK of throw as Littler brings the match back level again!
He could’ve wrapped it up early, missing a dart at D16 for a superb 143 checkout. Price can’t take out 160, leaving Littler to come back for D16 and he takes it with his second dart.
Reminder, it’s first to 10. No margin for error from here.
*Luke Littler 6-7 Gerwyn Price
Ohh what a dart from Gerwyn Price to BREAK the Littler throw once more!
Price had a dart on the floor in his set-up too and Littler leaves 40 to put the pressure on the 86 Price did eventually leave.
Single 18, T18 leaves D7 and he finds it superbly!
Luke Littler 6-6 Gerwyn Price*
It looked a monumental leg and Littler BREAKS Price for it!
Back all-square as Price misses a dart at D10 for a 100 checkout, instead busting his score going into D15.
Price gets another go at it but can’t leave a finish this time as Littler misses a dart at tops this time. But he comes back for 20 and hits 10, D5 to bring us back level.
*Luke Littler 5-6 Gerwyn Price
Bloomin’ heck, he’s coming out swinging, Littler!
He misses a dart at D20 for a 10-dart hold of throw before pinning it next time for a good 11-dart leg.
That included a 180 and 147 set-up to leave 40. Maybe a sign of this second half….
Price leads at the break
Given Littler had the darts in leg one, Price will be absolutely thrilled to take a 6-4 lead into the break.
But in truth, it could and probably SHOULD be more comfortable.
Littler hasn’t got going yet and the frustration is etched across his face, even before storming off stage when Price took out the 40 in leg 10.
Price is leading the 180 count 3-1, more 140s, better checkout success and highest checkout!
A Darts icon has backed a proposed venue change for the PDC World Darts Championships.
Alexandra Palace has been the tournament’s home since its 2008 move from the Circus Tavern in Essex.
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Alexandra Palace has been the home of the World Darts Championship since 2008Credit: AFP
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There has been talk that the tournament could leave the hallowed walls of Ally PallyCredit: PA
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Iconic referee Russ Bray believes a change of venue could make senseCredit: GETTY
But the iconic venue’s future hosting the annual competition is in doubt as Saudi Arabia has been mooted as a potential new location for the tournament.
And retired referee Russ Bray believes a change of venue could make sense given the recent growth of the sport and the potential increase of prize money.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “The PDC’s [Professional Darts Corporation] a business, like you say, it is a business.
“Barry and Eddie [Hearn, respective chairman and ex-chairman] and Matt [Porter, CEO of PDC], these guys, they’ll sit down and talk.
“Obviously, if they can pay the players £2million for winning the World Final because we’ve got to go somewhere else, then I’m pretty certain that’s what they will do. It makes sense.”
Matchroom supremo Barry Hearn has already been approached by the Saudis about bringing the competition to The Kingdom.
But he knocked them back after they informed him fans wouldn’t be able to drink alcohol at events.
The 76-year-old said: “The Saudis asked me for [the] darts about a couple of months ago.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
1994 – Dennis Priestley
1995 – Phil Taylor
1996 – Phil Taylor (2)
1997 – Phil Taylor (3)
1998 – Phil Taylor (4)
1999 – Phil Taylor (5)
2000 – Phil Taylor (6)
2001 – Phil Taylor (7)
2002 – Phil Taylor (8)
2003 – John Part
2004 – Phil Taylor (9)
2005 – Phil Taylor (10)
2006 – Phil Taylor (11)
2007 – Raymond van Barneveld
2008 – John Part (2)
2009 – Phil Taylor (12)
2010 – Phil Taylor (13)
2011 – Adrian Lewis
2012 – Adrian Lewis (2)
2013 – Phil Taylor (14)
2014 – Michael van Gerwen
2015 – Gary Anderson
2016 – Gary Anderson (2)
2017 – Michael van Gerwen (2)
2018 – Rob Cross
2019 – Michael van Gerwen (3)
2020 – Peter Wright
2021 – Gerwyn Price
2022 – Peter Wright (2)
2023 – Michael Smith
2024 – Luke Humphries
2025 – Luke Littler
Most World Titles
14 – Phil Taylor
3 – Michael van Gerwen
2 – John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright
1 – Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
“I asked them a simple question. ‘Can we have alcohol?’
“And they said no. I said, ‘Well then you can’t have the darts.'”
Luke Littler taunts fans with ‘crying’ gesture after Man Utd fan suffers abuse at Premier League Darts in Leeds
Hearn, however, does believe The Kingdom could make a good home for the World Snooker Championships.
The veteran promoter has recently threatened to take the competition away from the Crucible unless the iconic venue is given a major revamp.
A dart bounces off the board on his return, a few for him in recent weeks which hands Humphries a look out a finish position.
He dose not take and Littler hits the double 6 to open this encounter.
Finale
Both have set the standard for darts this last 12-24 months and continue to do so.
Even in a relative off night, they are by far the best two in the elite field.
Implications on the standings are minimal as the two are certain of their O2 spot and a win for Littler would guarantee the already-known: top spot.
TV lot are backing Humphries and it’s weird one because neither have played anywhere near their best stuff for any sustainable period of time tonight.
Yet, you would not be surprised if they pulled it all out for this encounter.
The latest instalment of dart’s hottest ticket, Littler vs Humphries is upon us.
Luke Humphries 6-4 Stephen Bunting*
Bunting unable to convert a 180 attempt on his third visit, and would follow it up with a 77 and another double 16 miss which failed to clear the 32.
It was solid but not enough as Humphries finishes this contest with a double 20.
Luke vs Luke up next in Leeds.
Luke Humphries* 5-4 Stephen Bunting
Some lax play from Humphries would hand Bunting the momentarily initiative which he was unable to take at double 6.
He would be granted the chance again and took it.
He has made one comeback this evening…
Luke Humphries 5-3 Stephen Bunting*
The Humphries pressure proving evident with multiple 100s+ setting up a bullseye finish, which he takes.
The end is near… or is it?
Luke Humphries* 4-3 Stephen Bunting
What you can do, I can do from these two.
Humphries produces a 180, Bunting matches to go with his 140.
Humphries unable to convert his leg dart on the doubles, same for Bunting. The crowd favourite, who has yet to give them something to get up for, eventually pops the decisive won.
Littler will compete in the 17-week extravaganza alongside some of the sport’s biggest names, including MVG and World No1 Luke Humphries.
SunSport brings you all the information you need ahead of the return of Premier League Darts.
Who is in the Premier League Darts 2025 line-up?
The top four darts players on the Order of Merit plus four Wildcards make up the eight-player field for the Premier League.
Here are all eight players competing this year:
It means two former world champions miss out – in the form of Peter Wright, 54, andMichael Smith, 34, following their alarming slump in form.
Premier League Darts 2025 schedule and results
Night One – Thursday, February 6 The SSE Arena, Belfast Quarter-Finals Chris Dobey 6-4 Gerwyn Price Stephen Bunting 4-6 Rob Cross Luke Littler 5-6 Michael van Gerwen Nathan Aspinall 2-6 Luke Humphries Semi-finals Chris Dobey 6-4 Rob Cross Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Luke Humphries Final Luke Humphries 6-1 Chris Dobey
Night Two – Thursday, February 13 OVO Hydro, Glasgow Quarter-Finals Rob Cross 5-6 Luke Littler Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Stephen Bunting Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Gerwyn Price Luke Humphries 6-4 Chris Dobey Semi-finals Luke Littler 6-2 Michael van Gerwen Gerwyn Price 4-6 Luke Humphries Final Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphries
Night Three – Thursday, February 20 3Arena, Dublin Quarter-Finals Luke Humphries 6-4 Stephen Bunting Gerwyn Price 6-4 Luke Littler Rob Cross 3-6 Nathan Aspinall Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Chris Dobey Semi-final Luke Humphries 3-6 Gerwyn Price Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Michael van Gerwen Final Gerwyn Price 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
Night Four – Thursday, February 27 Westpoint Exeter Quarter-Finals Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Rob Cross Gerwyn Price 4-6 Luke Humphries Chris Dobey 5-6 Nathan Aspinall Stephen Bunting 3-6 Luke Littler
Semi-final Rob Cross 5-6 Luke Humphries Nathan Aspinall 2-6 Luke Littler
Final Luke Humphries 6-4 Luke Littler
Night Five – Thursday, March 6 The Brighton Centre Quarter-Finals Gerwyn Price 3-6 Michael van Gerwen Luke Littler 6-5 Chris Dobey Rob Cross 6-4 Luke Humphries Stephen Bunting 2-6 Nathan Aspinall
Semi-Finals Michael van Gerwen 2-6 Luke Littler Rob Cross 5-6 Nathan Aspinall
Final Luke Littler 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
Night Six – Thursday, March 13 Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham Quarter-Finals Luke Humphries 4-6 Luke Littler Rob Cross 6-2 Chris Dobey Stephen Bunting 4-6 Gerwyn Price Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-Finals Luke Litter 6-3 Rob Cross Gerwyn Price 6-1 Michael van Gerwen
Final Luke Littler 3-6 Gerwyn Price
Quarter-Finals Chris Dobey 6-2 Stephen Bunting Luke Humphries 4-6 Michael van Gerwen Luke Littler 6-3 Nathan Aspinall Gerwyn Price 5-6 Rob Cross
Semi-Finals Chris Dobey 1-6 Michael van Gerwen Luke Littler 6-2 Rob Cross
Final Michael van Gerwen 4-6 Luke Littler
Night Eight – Thursday, March 27 Utilita Arena, Newcastle Quarter-Finals Luke Littler 6-0 Stephen Bunting Gerwyn Price 2-6 Rob Cross Luke Humphries 6-3 Chris Dobey Micheal van Gerwen 5-6 Nathan Aspinall
Semi-Finals Luke Littler 6-3 Rob Cross Luke Humphries 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
Final Luke Littler 6-1 Luke Humphries
Night Nine – Thursday, April 3 Uber Arena, Berlin Quarter-Finals Nathan Aspinall 2-6 Stephen Bunting Luke Humphries 6-3 Rob Cross Chris Dobey 6-2 Luke Littler Michael van Gerwen w/d Gerwyn Price
Semi-Finals Stephen Bunting 6-2 Luke Humphries Chris Dobey 2-6 Gerwyn Price
Final Stephen Bunting 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Night Ten – Thursday, April 10 AO Arena, Manchester Quarter-Finals Chris Dobey 4-6 Michael van Gerwen Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Rob Cross Luke Littler 6-3 Gerwyn Price Stephen Bunting 1-6 Luke Humphries
Semi-Finals Michael van Gerwen 2-6 Nathan Aspinall Luke Littler 4=6 Luke Humphries
Finals Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Luke Humphries
Night 11 – Thursday, April 17 Rotterdam Ahoy Quarter-Finals Chris Dobey 6-3 Luke Humphries Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Gerwyn Price Stephen Bunting 6-5 Michael van Gerwen Luke Littler 6-5 Rob Cross
Semi-Finals Chris Dobey 6-2 Nathan Aspinall Stephen Bunting 6-5 Luke Littler
Final Chris Dobey 6-2 Stephen Bunting
Night 12 – Thursday, April 24 M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Quarter-Finals Luke Humphries 6-3 Nathan Aspinall Michael van Gerwen 4-6 Luke Littler Rob Cross 6-1 Stephen Bunting Gerwyn Price 2-6 Chris Dobey
Semi-Finals Luke Humphries 6-4 Michael van Gerwen Rob Cross 2-6 Gerwyn Price
Final Luke Humphries 4-6 Gerwyn Price
Night 13 – Thursday, May 1 Utilita Arena, Birmingham Quarter-Finals Luke Littler 6-5 Stephen Bunting Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Chris Dobey Luke Humphries 5-6 Gerwyn Price Rob Cross 4-6 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-finals Luke Littler 6-5 Nathan Aspinall Gerwyn Price 3-6 Michael van Gerwen
Final Luke Littler 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Night 14 – Thursday, May 8 First Direct Arena, Leeds Quarter-Finals Rob Cross 8-6 Gerwyn Price Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Luke Littler Michael van Gerwen 4-6 Luke Humphries Stephen Bunting vs Chris Dobey
Semi-finals Gerwyn Price vs Luke Littler
Night 15 – Thursday, May 15 P&J Live, Aberdeen Quarter-Finals Michael van Gerwen vs Nathan Aspinall Gerwyn Price vs Stephen Bunting Chris Dobey vs Rob Cross Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries
Night 16 – Thursday, May 22 Utilita Arena, Sheffield Draw Bracket based on league table following Night 15
Play-Offs – Thursday, May 29 The O2, London Semi-Finals and Final
What is the Premier League Darts format?
Eight players will compete in Premier League Darts 2025, with the top four of the Order of Merit and four wildcards making up the numbers.
Each of the players will meet each other once in weeks 1-7 and again in weeks 9-15, but fixtures for weeks 8 and 16 are drawn based on league standings.
How each player performs on each night will earn them points which will determine their place in the Premier League table.
Here is how the points system works:
Winner: 5 points
Runner-up: 3 points
Two losing semi-finalists: 2 points
Following the conclusion of week 16, the top four in the Premier League table will secure their tickets to Finals Night.
Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena begins with the semi-finals as first in the table takes on fourth and second faces third.
Later, the two remaining players will face off in a blockbuster final to determine the winner of the Premier League.
A former darts star has warned Luke Littler could quit within the next five yearsCredit: Rex
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Dr Linda Duffy was the top women’s player in the 80sCredit: Rex
Littler’s meteoric rise has seen him become a household name.
And he has shown he can mix it with the best while also taking flak from fans.
However, former world darts No1 Duffy believes the pressures of the sport could take their toll unless Littler is properly supported on his journey.
Duffy ruled the roost in women’s darts from 1982 to 1987.
And after leaving the game, she went on to become a chartered psychologist.
Duffy has now used her expertise to fire a warning to Littler’s management team, claiming that the teen sensation could bow out within half a decade without proper “support.”
She told Tungsten Tales: “It’s absolutely crucial he receives proper support. Otherwise there’s a risk he’ll walk away from the game within five years because he’s completely burned out.
“Fortunately he has a good manager who understands the importance of giving him time to rest.
The teenager, who went on to win the world title in December, won the Premier League in 2024 and will be looking to defend his crown over 18 thrilling weeks.
There were two new entries this season, with Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey replacing Peter Wright and Michael Smith.
Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall keep their place in what will be a hotly-contested title race.
