Luke Littler storms to a 6–1 win over world No.1 Luke Humphries, claiming his first Grand Prix crown
Eighteen-year-old Luke Littler has achieved another dazzling milestone in his meteoric rise through professional darts, defeating world No.1 Luke Humphries 6–1 to secure his first World Grand Prix title in Leicester.
Littler, already one of the sport’s most exciting talents, delivered a performance that mixed precision, confidence, and icy composure. Despite Humphries entering the match as favourite after a strong run to the final, the teenager dominated key moments, taking control of every deciding leg and refusing to let the world champion settle.
“It’s not the easiest tournament to win,” Littler said moments after lifting the trophy. “This week has been so tough, but now I’ve picked it up, it’s one I can tick off—and there’s not many left.”
His words carried the confidence of a player who seems destined for greatness. Littler revealed he would compete in the World Youth Championship the following day, underscoring just how rapidly he’s balancing both senior and youth honours in his remarkable career.
Though the scoreline might suggest a one-sided affair, the contest itself brimmed with tension. Humphries battled hard throughout, pushing several sets to 2–2, only for Littler to steal each one with unflinching accuracy in the deciding legs. His finishing was near flawless, his scoring relentless.
In the third set, Littler came agonisingly close to perfection—missing the bullseye for what would have been a rare nine-dart finish under the double-in format. The crowd gasped as the final dart fell just wide, a moment that captured both his brilliance and fearlessness on the big stage.
Humphries briefly revived his challenge in the fifth set, producing a brilliant 154 checkout that raised hopes of a comeback. But Littler extinguished those dreams immediately, closing out the next two sets with calm authority to seal his 6–1 victory.
Reflecting on his composure under pressure, Littler said: “That’s what I’ve learned from the past in matchplay. I’ve got to hit the big outs, the big scores when Luke puts me under pressure. I think I played very well tonight. Luke was always behind me—I couldn’t step off the gas.”
Humphries, who had looked composed throughout the tournament, admitted his disappointment but was gracious in defeat. “He’s so clinical,” he said. “In the first four sets I missed darts to get in. Double 16 has been my friend for three years, and tonight it wasn’t. When I was 4–0 down, I just wanted to give the crowd something. It’s hard to take, because I felt like I was going to give him a much better game. Fair play to him—he was really good.”
The match highlighted not only Littler’s natural flair but also his rapidly developing mental strength. Each time Humphries surged, Littler responded with unshakeable focus. His ability to maintain composure in tight sets—particularly those decided in fifth legs—proved decisive.
The World Grand Prix title cements Littler’s place among darts’ elite and continues his extraordinary ascent in a sport once dominated by veterans. For fans, it’s another glimpse of a prodigy redefining what’s possible for young players on the professional circuit.
As he celebrated on stage, trophy in hand, the teenager smiled as though already planning his next conquest. “Very happy to tick it off,” he repeated—a simple statement from a player already making history.