Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has publicly backed World No. 1 Luke Humphries’ frustrations with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule, which Humphries described as leaving him “emotionless” due to its relentless demands. In a June 25, 2025, interview with *Sky Sports*, Littler echoed Humphries’ sentiments, highlighting the physical and mental toll of the packed 2025 season as both prepare for the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden on June 27–28, 2025. The comments follow Humphries’ candid admission after a World Cup of Darts loss, sparking debate about player welfare in darts.
Humphries, the 2024 and 2025 PDC World Champion, expressed his exhaustion after England’s 8-4 quarterfinal defeat to Scotland at the World Cup on June 20, 2025, telling *The Sun*, “I’m feeling a bit emotionless now. The schedule is too much—Premier League, World Series, majors, it’s draining.” Littler, his teammate, supported this view, stating, “Luke’s right. We’re playing week in, week out. It’s tough to stay fresh, especially mentally,” per *Daily Star*. The 18-year-old, who has played 142 matches in 2025, including a Bahrain Masters title and Premier League final run, noted the challenge of balancing performance with recovery.
The PDC’s 2025 calendar, with 13 Premier League nights, seven Players Championship events, and global World Series stops, has drawn criticism for its intensity. Posts on X, like @DartsNews02, amplified Humphries’ comments, with fans calling the schedule “brutal” for top players. Littler, who defeated Humphries 5-2 at the 2025 PDC World Championship, acknowledged his rival’s struggles, saying, “He’s carrying the weight of being No. 1. I feel it too, but he’s got more eyes on him,” per @SunSport. Their World Cup loss, where Humphries averaged 88.24 and Littler 92.17, underscored the impact of fatigue, as Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright capitalized.
Humphries’ openness follows a public feud with darts legend Dennis Priestley, who accused the England duo of “letting their country down,” per @MailSport. Humphries hit back, calling Priestley’s remarks “damaging,” a view Littler supported, per @DExpress_Sport. Despite the strain, both remain favorites for the US Darts Masters, with Littler’s 103.45 season average and Humphries’ 17-match win streak in majors. Littler, reflecting on his own form, told @DartsNow_ in March 2025, “I’m performing better than these guys,” but admitted the schedule tests even his resilience.
As the PDC faces calls to address player burnout, Littler and Humphries’ shared stance highlights a critical issue, with fans and players urging a reevaluation of the sport’s demanding structure.
