World primary Luke Humphries thrashed Chris Dobey 6-1 to win the 2025 Premier League’s opening evening in Belfast however mentioned Luke Littler was the most effective participant on the earth.
Humphries, who lifted the World Masters title on Sunday, boasted an 86% success fee on his doubles and three 100-plus checkouts within the all-English encounter.
He had trailed 4-3 in his semi-final towards Michael van Gerwen, however took three consecutive legs to progress after the Dutchman faltered on his doubles and missed a match dart at bullseye.
“I believe that is the toughest Premier League for a protracted, very long time. For me, nights like this, you have to watch out or they may not occur as usually as you need,” mentioned Humphries.
Van Gerwen earlier triumphed 6-5 in a panoramic quarter-final towards world champion Luke Littler, who averaged 113.91 – the very best common on the venue and the second-highest dropping mark within the competitors’s historical past.
“He is by far one of many biggest darts gamers I’ve seen in my profession,” mentioned Humphries, who beat Littler to win the world title in 2024.
“I am not disrespecting myself, I simply suppose he is the most effective participant on the earth and if he goes out, then I am the person to beat. However he’s positively the one to beat.
Dobey was additionally 4-3 down within the semis, however hit a ‘massive fish’ 170 checkout to degree towards 2018 world champion Rob Cross as he reeled off three straight legs to win.
Van Gerwen beats Littler in thriller
Van Gerwen reached the semi-finals in a rematch of final month’s remaining at Alexandra Palace the place Littler grew to become darts’ youngest world champion, aged 17.
There was a bit of little bit of added spice to the build-up when Van Gerwen at a media day on Wednesday.
Littler saved his fellow gamers ready for 45 minutes and mentioned he had overslept after taking a morning nap.
“They should cease treating him like a child. He is not a child any extra, he is 18 years outdated now,” Van Gerwen mentioned.
Littler mentioned earlier than the match: “He is not improper, I used to be late. I am 18 now, answerable for my actions and did get a bit of telling off.”
There was no hanging about when the pair reached the oche as they traded 11-dart legs earlier than Littler’s 161 checkout made it 2-2.
Van Gerwen hit a 114 end to go 4-3 forward however went on to overlook 4 match darts and Littler nailed bullseye to drive a decider, earlier than the Dutchman lastly prevailed on double eight.
Humphries noticed off Nathan Aspinall 6-2, whereas Stephen Bunting’s return to the Premier League after a decade away ended with a 6-4 loss to Cross.
Dobey edged the ending as he beat Wales’ 2021 world champion Gerwyn Value 6-4 within the opening match.
Premier League Darts evening 1 outcomes
Ultimate
Luke Humphries 6-1 Chris Dobey
Semi-finals
Chris Dobey 6-4 Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Luke Humphries
Quarter-finals
Chris Dobey 6-4 Gerwyn Value
Stephen Bunting 4-6 Rob Cross
Luke Littler 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 2-6 Luke Humphries
Premier League Darts desk
Premier League Darts format and factors system
Premier League Darts is performed throughout 16 preliminary weeks within the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a remaining every evening.
Every of the eight gamers is assured to face the opposite seven within the quarter-finals in weeks 1-7 and 9-15, with weeks 8 and 16’s fixtures decided by the league desk. It means we’ll get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the ultimate league-stage evening, with the play-off spots doubtlessly on the road.
Gamers earn two factors per quarter-final win, an extra level in the event that they win their semi-final and 5 for profitable the evening.
The highest 4 gamers after the group stage progress to the play-off evening at London’s O2 Area on 29 Could, with first dealing with fourth and second towards third in a best-of-19-leg match. The ultimate, which is the most effective of 21 legs, follows.
If gamers are degree on factors after the 16 weeks, then locations are determined by nights gained after which matches gained.
Premier League Darts evening 2 order of play
13 February in Glasgow, 19:00 GMT
Quarter-finals
Rob Cross v Luke Littler
Michael van Gerwen v Stephen Bunting
Nathan Aspinall v Gerwyn Value
Luke Humphries v Chris Dobey