Luke Littler Eyes Second Premier League Darts Win in Brighton
Premier League Darts returns to Brighton tonight, with Luke Littler looking to secure his second victory of the season. The 18-year-old claimed his first win in Glasgow last month, edging past Luke Humphries in the final. Tonight, he begins his campaign at The Brighton Centre with an opening match against Chris Dobey.
Littler made a stunning debut in the competition last year, winning the Premier League Darts title after defeating Humphries in the play-off final at The O2 Arena. His impressive performances throughout the tournament showcased his fearless approach, which was on full display last season in Brighton. On night six, he attempted an audacious checkout, aiming for a bullseye finish—a move that caught the attention of Rob Cross, who later praised him for his bravery.
Littler’s Bold Checkout Attempt Sparks Backstage Praise
During his quarter-final match against Nathan Aspinall on the south coast last year, Littler led 5-3 and had 144 points left to win the match. After hitting a double 20, he took a risk by targeting double 17, setting up a bullseye finish. However, his dart landed in the single 17, forcing him to wait for his next turn at the oche to close out the match.
The bold attempt became a major talking point, with Aspinall seen laughing about it shortly after. Backstage, Rob Cross made a beeline for Littler, grabbing his hand and exclaiming, “Did you see that? What a pair of cojones.”
Despite the praise, Littler later fell 6-3 to Michael Smith in the semi-finals.
Littler vs. Cross Rivalry Continues
Littler and Cross have faced off 11 times, with the teenager dominating the head-to-head 9-2. They clashed five times in last season’s Premier League, with Littler winning four of those encounters. However, they are yet to meet in this year’s competition.
Now the reigning World Champion, Littler is the favourite to win night five and remains the outright favourite to lift the 2025 Premier League Darts title.
