How to watch US Darts Masters 2025: TV Channel, Live stream, dates, schedule, prize money and more
**US Darts Masters 2025: Drama, Triumph, and a New Champion at Madison Square Garden**
The 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters, held on June 27-28, 2025, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, delivered two days of electrifying darts action, blending high-stakes competition with unexpected drama. As the seventh edition of this Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Series event, it showcased eight elite PDC stars against eight North American challengers, with a record-breaking £100,000 prize fund. From Luke Humphries’ injury scare to Luke Littler’s commanding performance and Danny Lauby’s stunning upset, the tournament captivated fans both in New York and worldwide. Here’s a detailed look at the event, including how to watch, key moments, and its lasting impact.
### How to Watch the 2025 US Darts Masters
For fans eager to catch the action, the tournament was accessible through multiple platforms:
– **TV Channels**:
– **United States**: Peacock and MSG Networks provided exclusive coverage, with select matches on FanDuel.
– **United Kingdom**: ITV4 aired delayed broadcasts at 5:00 pm BST on June 28 and 29 due to the time difference.
– **Global**: DAZN (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Viaplay (Netherlands, Baltics, Scandinavia), Fox Sports (Australia), Sky Sport (New Zealand), TV Nova (Czech Republic, Slovakia), Pragosport (Hungary), and VTM (Belgium) covered various regions.
– **Live Streaming**:
– **Peacock (USA)**: The go-to platform for U.S. viewers, starting at $7.99/month.
– **ITVX (UK)**: Free streaming with delayed coverage.
– **PDCTV**: Offered live streams for international fans (excluding Germany, Austria, Switzerland) with subscriptions at £49.99 annually or monthly/tournament passes.
– **FanDuel (USA)**: Additional streaming for U.S. audiences.
– **VPN**: Fans abroad used services like NordVPN to bypass geo-restrictions.
– **Social Media**: The PDC’s X account (@OfficialPDC) and @livedarts provided real-time updates, with streaming details posted on June 27, 2025.
In-person attendees secured tickets via Ticketmaster, with a 10% discount using code PDC25. Floor seats, priced around $300, offered a premium experience, including chances to catch player-thrown trinkets.
### Schedule and Format
The tournament unfolded over two action-packed days:
– **Friday, June 27, 2025** (7:00 pm ET, 12:00 am BST):
– **First Round**: Eight best-of-11-leg matches pitted PDC stars against North American representatives. Key results included Luke Littler’s 6-1 rout of Jules van Dongen, Luke Humphries’ 6-4 win over Stowe Buntz despite a thumb injury, and Danny Lauby’s shocking 6-0 upset over defending champion Rob Cross. Jason Brandon also stunned top seed Stephen Bunting 6-4.
– **Saturday, June 28, 2025**:
– **Afternoon Session (1:00 pm ET)**: The bet365 North American Darts Championship featured quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final among North American players, with a $10,000 top prize and qualification for the World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts.
– **Evening Session (7:30 pm ET)**: US Darts Masters quarter-finals (best of 11 legs), semi-finals (best of 13 legs), and final (best of 15 legs).
The format ensured intense, fast-paced matches, with the PDC’s elite—Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall, Damon Heta, Rob Cross, and Stephen Bunting—facing North American talents like Matt Campbell, Jules van Dongen, Danny Lauby, Stowe Buntz, Leonard Gates, Adam Sevada, Jason Brandon, and Jim Long.
### Prize Money
The 2025 US Darts Masters boasted a £100,000 prize fund ($123,600 USD), a significant jump from 2024’s £60,000:
– **Winner**: £30,000 ($37,100)
– **Runner-up**: £16,000 ($19,800)
– **Semi-finalists**: £10,000 ($12,350 each)
– **Quarter-finalists**: £5,000 ($6,175 each)
– **First-round losers**: £1,750 ($2,160 each)
This prize money, while substantial, does not count toward the PDC Order of Merit, emphasizing the event’s prestige over ranking impact.
### Key Moments and Drama
The 2025 US Darts Masters was defined by standout performances and unexpected twists:
– **Luke Humphries’ Injury Scare**: The world No. 1 suffered a thumb injury during his walk-on when a fan pulled his thumb back, causing significant pain. Humphries told Online Darts, “It really hurt. That thing stays in your head. It affected my performance.” Despite this, he battled to a 6-4 win over Stowe Buntz, advancing to face Danny Lauby in the quarter-finals. The incident highlighted the risks of fan interactions during high-energy walk-ons.
– **Luke Littler’s Dominance and Empathy**: The reigning PDC World Champion cruised past Jules van Dongen 6-1, sealing the match with a flair-filled 120 checkout (three double tops). Littler averaged 92.16 but showed compassion for Van Dongen’s struggle with dartitis, saying, “We all do feel for him. Hopefully he can overcome whatever he’s got going on.” Van Dongen, throwing with his non-dominant hand due to the condition, took pride in winning a leg against the young star.
– **Danny Lauby’s Upset**: The North American player delivered the shock of the tournament, whitewashing defending champion Rob Cross 6-0. This victory propelled Lauby into a quarter-final clash with Humphries, showcasing the growing strength of North American darts.
– **Jules van Dongen’s Struggles**: The Dutch-born American, battling dartitis and personal challenges, including his parents’ health issues, hinted at retirement after the event. Despite a 6-1 loss to Littler, his single leg was a moment of pride, with Littler noting, “He’ll be very proud of that.”
The electric atmosphere at Madison Square Garden amplified the drama, with Littler describing it as “unbelievable” based on Humphries’ earlier comments. The venue, hosting the event for the fourth consecutive year, drew a passionate crowd, enhancing the players’ performances.
### North American Darts Championship
The afternoon session on June 28 featured the bet365 North American Darts Championship, a separate tournament for North American players. With a $10,000 top prize and qualification spots for the World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts, it provided a platform for regional talent. Players like Danny Lauby, Stowe Buntz, and Jules van Dongen competed, with the winner earning a significant career boost.
### Impact and Legacy
The 2025 US Darts Masters underscored the growing popularity of darts in North America, with upsets like Lauby’s and Brandon’s signaling the region’s rising competitiveness. The event also highlighted the sport’s human side, from Littler’s empathy for Van Dongen to Humphries’ resilience through injury. The increased prize fund and high-profile venue cemented the tournament’s status as a cornerstone of the PDC World Series.
For fans, the combination of Peacock, MSG Networks, and global streaming options made the event widely accessible, while the PDC’s social media presence kept the conversation alive. As the darts world looks to the rest of the 2025 season, the US Darts Masters set a high bar, blending elite competition with compelling personal stories.
