Premier League Darts LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler BEATEN by Michael van Gerwen, Humphries WINS in Belfast – reaction
THE opening night of the Premier League Darts concluded in stunning fashion at the SSE Arena in Belfast last night!
World No 1 Luke Humphries - who won four nights last season - kicked off his campaign with a dominant triumph, beating Chris Dobey 6-1 in the final.
Luke Littler was defeated by Michael van Gerwen in their quarter-final as the Green Machine got some retribution for the World Darts Championship final - despite the Dutchman missing FOUR match darts.
The players will play for 16 weeks before a final play-off in May at the O2 Arena in London.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Follow our live blog below...
How can I watch the action?
If you missed any of last nights matches, you can flick back over our blog for the key moments!
Highlights of selected matches, including Littler v van Gerwen, are available on the Sky Sports Darts YouTube channel.
Next week, action comes live to you from Glasgow, with all the matches available on Sky Sports, Sky Go or the Sky Sports app.
Alternatively, SunSport will have full coverage of night two in our live blog, so tune in if you don't want to miss any of the action!
Who is against who next week?
Get ready to do it all over again next week, as Premier League leader Luke Humphries and co take to Glasgow for week two.
Dobey gets a shot at revenge on Humphries next week, as he meets him in the quarter-finals.
Rob Cross and Luke Littler meet in an all Order of Merit qualification affair, the second Littler has had in two weeks.
Michael van Gerwen won't be going Bunting mental as he meets the Bullet, and Nathan Aspinall meets Gerwyn Price for a shot at Dobey or Humphries in the semi-final.
Melting the Ice Man
Gerwyn Price is not playing the kind of darts that saw him win the World Championship in 2021, but no doubt, the man is box office.
While players such as fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton and Damon Heta all rank higher than him, there is no doubting Price's ability to wind up a crowd.
It was not the ideal start for Price, being eliminated in the first match of Premier League Darts 2025.
But, there is 15 weeks to go until the play-offs, and Price has every chance at making the O2 Arena.
Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Master has given Dobey three points
Chris Dobey got off to a flying start in Premier League Darts last night.
He beat the crowd not-so favourite Gerwyn Price to kick-off this years action, before ousting top four rank Rob Cross in the semi-final.
It was always going to be a tall order against Luke Humphries, but Dobey picks himself up a tidy three points on opening night.
Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Bunting's return
Stephen Bunting took to the stage for the first time for 10 years in Premier League Darts last night.
However, it was not the return to the competition Bunting would have liked.
Bunting and Rob Cross are battling for a place inside the top four of the Order of Merit, but it was Cross who got the better of Bunting on their first encounter in the Premier League.
Cross is currently in fourth, but has only picked up around £3000 more than Bunting, so a nightly win could propel Bunting into fourth.
One thing is for sure, though, we will never get tired of the Bullet's walk on!
Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire High praise from Humphries
Luke Humphries may have won last night, but he was all praise for teenage sensation Luke Littler.
"Littler, the way he's playing is unbelievable.
"He's by far one of the greatest darts players I've seen in my career
"If he goes out, I'm the one to beat, but he's definitely the man to beat."
A Premier League Darts classic!
Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen put on a darting show when they met in the quarter-finals last night.
The fixture was earmarked as the one to watch prior to a dart being thrown, as it was a replay of the World Championship final.
Michael van Gerwen almost chocked an 80 out in the third leg, but an unorthodox finish on double 11 saw him hold throw.
However, Littler pulled something special out the bag in the next leg, completing a 161 checkout on bullseye to send Belfast wild.
van Gerwen would miss three darts at double 10 in the fifth leg, and we know Little doesn't miss those.
Well, he did miss one, in the eighth leg, and MvG hit, putting the scores at 5-3, and with throw Little was seemingly down and out.
However, there was another twist in the tale, as MvG missed double 10 AND double 5 on a 20 checkout, Littler had no problem checking out 42, and won the following leg, sending the game to 5-5.
The way the game was going, Littler could have easily checked out 167, but on treble 19 his dart landed agonisingly the wrong side of the wire in treble 7.
van Gerwen came back, and checked out 25 to win.
Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire How much did Humphries win last night?
While the big bonus cash isn't available on week one, Humphries did pocket a nice £10,000, as he extends the lead as world number one.
Every night there will be £10,000 up for grabs, with £275,000 going to the overall winner in May.
Humphries also got himself five points in the Premier League table.
Chris Dobey got himself three, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross got themselves two points.
Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting went home empty handed.
Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Humphries wary of opposition
Speaking after his win last night, Humphries described this line-up as "the hardest Premier League for a very long time"
Humphries had to overcome Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall to pick up all five points last night.
The world number one insisted Luke Littler was still "the man to beat", but Humphries did not have to face the teenage sensation last night.
Little himself lost a thriller to Mighty Mike.
Credit: Charles McQuillan/Getty Image
Where to next?
Luke Humphries is top of the Premier League after night one in Belfast.
We take the jump to Scotland for next week, as the eight players will take to the stage in Glasgow.
Credit: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Emma Paton speaks on the Nuke
Emma Paton - the regular hostess during darts broadcasts on Sky Sports - has shared her thoughts on 18 year old Luke Littler's rise to prominence and how he handles all the attention on him.
“He’s very chilled out. He’s a very chilled-out character in general.
"Which is in contrast to what you see on the stage, where he comes alive and is a real showman and an entertainer.
“I think he’s done so well. He was thrust into the limelight last year.
It’s a testament to him being a good kid and having good people around him that he has dealt with everything so well.”
According to Paton, Littler is keeping cool about media dramas very well: “It is a lot to deal with. It’s one thing speaking when you’re having success and winning things, but you’ve also got to speak when things aren’t going so well."
Credit: Taylor Lanning/PDC Luke to Luke
After winning the opening night with a remarkable 6-1 win against Chris Dobey, Luke Humphries had nothing but praise for current champion Luke Littler.
Humphries insisted he's still not the man to beat even after winning the night 1 of the Darts Premier League.
When he was asked by commentator Rod Studd which of the two Lukes would prevail in a first-to-seven-sets battle on current form in which he said: "I don't want to make it too much about him - it’s my night - but Luke is the best player in the world.
"We all know it. It’s not something that you want to fight.
"He's the best player, he's performing the best. He's just been a bit unlucky.
"He's got a target on his back, being the world champion. Everyone wants to beat him, and this will happen.
"This will happen over his career. But for me, I always know that I can compete with the best and you don't get to number one for nothing."
Credit: GETTY 'Miserable and Moany' Humphries
Luke Humphries has said being miserable and moany is just about keeping ahead of Luke Littler and pushing to hit the next level.
His pursuit of perfection pushes him and leads to grumbles on the stage when he’s not at his peak.
Humphries explained “Sometimes I might not look like I enjoy it up on the stage, people think I’m miserable or moany, but I love playing.
"This is what I was born to do and I really enjoy myself up there and enjoy winning as well."
Credit: Rex Late Littler
Luke Littler turned up 45 minutes late to the photo shoot that takes place a day before the competition starts.
Michael van Gerwen was noticeably upset by this as he said: "They (The PDC ed.) have to stop treating him like a baby.
He's not a baby anymore, he's 18 years old now."
Van Gerwen added with a smile: "It happens. He has to learn. You have to learn the hard way. It's a professional sport, so you have to be responsible for your actions. It's as simple as that.
If he's late for an interview, I don't mind. But seven other people are waiting for him. That's not very nice, is it?"
The Nuke took account for his actions and replied: "I always let my darts do the talking.
"But he [Van Gerwen] is not wrong. I was late. I'm 18 now and I'm responsible for my actions and I did get a little telling off."
Luke Littler sends message to Wayne Mardle
Luke Littler sent a heartwarming message to Wayne Mardle upon his return which said: "Wayne is the heart and soul of everything we do here at Sky Sports Darts.
"But the heart of his world, his wonderful wife Donna, sadly passed away earlier this week after a short illness.
"We will be remembering Donna throughout this tournament.
"Wayne, you are in our thoughts, you are in our hearts, we love you very much. And we will see you very soon,"
After Mardle expressed his relief being back to commentating , writing on X: "I needed that."
Littler responded with: "Great to have you back".
Credit: Rex
Mardle returns
Amid the excitement of the return to Premier League action, it was also heartwarming to see Wayne Mardle back on our TV screens.
The hugely popular Sky Sports commentator missed the World Championships after the tragic death of his wife Donna.
But he was back in the commentary booth on Thursday night alongside Rod Studd.
Mardle calld the action for Littler's defeat to MVG, then when the Dutchman lost to Humphries in the semi.
Taking to social media after the final, Mardle wrote: "I needed that."
Tributes poured in for the pundit.
One fan wrote: "The return of the GOAT."
Another said: "What a match to return to, welcome back Wayne."
While a third added: "You have been sorely missed my friend."
Credit: Getty More from Van Gerwen
He also added "We know I come from very far and this is another highlight,
"Although I could have finished it earlier this is the opening of the Premier League Darts,
"A tough match, because we know what that boy can do.
"Then it gives a lot of satisfaction when you polish him for a while.
"But I have nothing yet huh, except two points."
MVG has his say
Michael van Gerwen beat Luke Littler to get revenge on his World Darts Championship final defeat.
But the Dutchman was unable to progress in the Premier League Night 1 in Belfast as he lost to Luke Humphries 6-5 in the semi-final.
Van Gerwen was not impressed with his performance in the defeat and said: "I can only blame myself for this again. There was one the better player and that was me.
"They just don't have anything to say to me tonight, but I let myself down.
"Maybe that's the process I'm in right now.
"It does me a lot of good to see that I'm on the right track. I just have to see this through, then I can show a lot of great things in this Premier League. I feel good."
Credit: PA Perfect start from Humphries
Sky Sports Darts' Mark Webster said: “A perfect start for Luke Humphries and a perfect week after winning the World Masters.
“He rode his luck in the semi-final against Van Gerwen but you need that on Premier League nights.”
Humphries was in great form on the doubles in the opening night in Belfast as he thrashed Chris Dobey 6-1.
The 2024 world champ said: "I think this is the hardest Premier League for a long time. Nights like this might not happen as much as you want.
"The last two years I haven't got off to a good start, so it's nice to get off to a good start."
Standings after Night 1
So here’s what it all means for the Premier League table.
Granted, it’s early days…
But Humphries with the early five points and Dobey with the consolation prize of three points.
Fellow quarter final winners Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross have two points apiece.
Next week's Premier League darts fixtures
Here is a quick look at the quarter-finals for night two in Glasgow next week...
- Rob Cross v Luke Littler
- Michael van Gerwen v Stephen Bunting
- Nathan Aspinall v Gerwyn Price
- Luke Humphries v Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries won the first nightCredit: Sportsfile
Good morning darts fans
A cracking first Premier League night has come and gone and world number one Luke Humphries came out on top.
Cool Hand beat Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen before smashing Chris Dobey 6-1 in the Belfast final.
Luke Littler was dumped out in the quarters by MVG despite hitting a 113.91 average - the second highest losing average in 21-year Premier League history.
Phil Taylor posted 115.8 in his defeat to Raymond van Barneveld in Glasgow in 2015.
Premier League darts - Night one results
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
- Chris Dobey 1-6 Luke Humphries
Prestige
Michael van Gerwen says this Premier League title is only second to the world championships in his personal ranking of events.
He told BetMGM: “After the World Championship, for me, it is the most important one to win. You have to be a good player over 17 weeks, not just one weekend. You have to play well week in, week out. It’s a hard 17 weeks but you get to show your ability.
“All eyes are on this tournament and I want to compete week after week in the biggest venues, sold out across Europe – it’s what you want.
“I’ve got a very good record in this tournament but that doesn’t bring any extra pressure. I have pressure every time I play, that’s just part of it. I don’t really care about that sort of stuff, though, I just go out and do what I need to do.”
What is the prize money?
Luke Humphries has £10,000 in the bank already after a night one victory.
There is a total of £1 million for the eight players to fight for across the 17 weeks!
The overall winner will take home £275,000, while the winner each night will take home £10,000.
Here is a full breakdown of the prize fund:
- Winner: £275,000
- Runner-up: £125,000
- Semi-finalist: £85,000
- Fifth place: £75,000
- Sixth place: £70,000
- Seventh place: £65,000
- Eighth place: £60,000
- Weekly winner bonus: £10,000