DARTS fans have demanded a drastic change be made to the Premier League following Luke Littler’s final defeat to Luke Humphries.
Teen sensation Littler, who was the best player throughout the tournament, suffered an 11-8 defeat in a replay of the 2024 final at the O2 Arena on Thursday night.
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Humphries took his head-to-head with Littler to 13 defeats and ten victories with his maiden Premier League title win.
The match enthralled darts fans, although many of them couldn’t help but vent their frustrations at the four-month-long competition coming down to one final match.
One wrote on X: “Fair play to Humphries and I’m glad he won, but I really don’t see the point in playing a 16-week league phase for it to come down to one game.”
Another said: “Format isn’t great. What’s the point of dominating for 16 weeks, for it to come down to one night? [It] seems a bit forced, IMO.
“I get why they do it, you don’t want the league winner to run away with it as viewings will go down. But [it] needs looking at.”
And another said: “Bit weird how Luke was miles away the best player over 17 weeks and well clear at the top of the table.
“But Humphries is the champion because of a one-off game? Leagues are meant to be won on consistency, surely.”
One remarked: “I think the person who is top after all the weeks should receive a trophy for that achievement.
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
“Like rugby with the playoffs [and] a separate one-off event for the top players.
“Ultimately, it will always be Luke vs Luke in the final as no one [is] anywhere near them.
Humphries, 30, was over the moon with his first-ever Premier League Darts title win.
He told Sky Sports: “This one means the world to me, that was the one I was missing.
“It was the one I wanted, I have done it now.
“If I don’t win another title, I am happy as I have done the three hardest ones to do.
“Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks, so Phil, if you are watching, thank you.
“He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support.”
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