Luke Humphries, the unflappable World No. 1 and reigning PDC World Champion, has exacted sweet revenge on teenage rival Luke “The Nuke” Littler with a composed 6-3 victory in their exhibition showdown at the Northampton Darts Open on November 1, 2025. The “Northampton showdown” – a packed-out charity event at the town’s Guildhall drawing 2,500 fans – saw Humphries flip the script from his humiliating 6-1 drubbing by Littler at the World Grand Prix final (October 12, Leicester), where the 18-year-old’s 104.5 average left the elder statesman shell-shocked. This time, Humphries’ ice-cool checkouts (including a 170 finish) and 99.2 average edged out Littler’s fireworks (97.8 avg, four 180s), pocketing £5,000 for a local youth charity while denying The Nuke a clean sweep in their budding rivalry.
The Match: A Masterclass in Composure
The 501 best-of-11 legs affair was a clinic from Humphries, who absorbed Littler’s early blister (a 140 opener and 6-1 lead tease) before reeling off five straight legs – three on throw, capped by that iconic 170 (“biggest of my career,” he joked post-match). Littler, nursing a minor shoulder tweak from PC34, fought valiantly with a 121 checkout to claw to 3-5, but Humphries sealed it with a double 16, fist-pumping to “Northampton’s Walking in a Humphries Wonderland” chants (a cheeky crowd twist on Oasis).
| Key Stats | Humphries | Littler |
|---|---|---|
| Average | 99.2 | 97.8 |
| 180s | 3 | 4 |
| Checkout % | 50% (6/12) | 33% (3/9) |
| High Checkout | 170 | 121 |
| Prize (Charity) | £5,000 (to local youth) | £2,500 (to same) |
Humphries, mic’d up for Sky Sports coverage, quipped mid-match: “Payback’s a double 16, kid!” – a nod to Littler’s Grand Prix dagger. Post-handshake, he pulled Littler in for a hug: “You’re a monster, Luke – but tonight, the old man’s still got it.”
The Backstory: From Grand Prix Humiliation to Rivalry Reloaded
This wasn’t just an exhibition – it was revenge served cold. Humphries’ 6-1 final loss at the £600k World Grand Prix (Littler’s first major TV title) stung deep: the No. 1 admitted it “rocked” his confidence, dropping two spots in the post-event rankings before rebounding with a Players Championship 33 semi (October 29). Littler, meanwhile, shrugged off his PC34 last-16 exit (6-5 to Matt Campbell) and Wigan registration farce, entering Northampton on a high after Beau Greaves’ Derby upset (6-4 loss October 31).
Their head-to-head now sits at 4-3 for Littler (including Youth semis and Premier League clashes), but Humphries owns the big-stage edge: a 10-7 UK Open win (March 2025) and this charity crusher. “Luke’s the future,” Humphries told Sky’s Darts Show afterward. “But I’m not done yet – that Grand Prix? Fuel for the fire. Northampton’s my ‘I told you so’ moment.” Littler, gracious as ever, posted on Instagram: “GG Luke – you got me tonight. Grand Slam rematch soon? 👀 #RespectTheNo1”
Fallout: Charity Win, Hype for Grand Slam
The £7,500 raised benefits Northampton’s under-18 sports programs – fitting for two prodigies (Humphries, 30, “old” by darts standards; Littler, the 18-year-old phenom). It amps the buzz for the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts (November 8–16, Wolverhampton, 10 miles away): Humphries (Group B vs. Damon Heta) eyes a first title, while Littler (Group A vs. Ryan Searle) chases a £250k pot. Price lurks in Group H, but this mini-feud? It’s the narrative gold.
Humphries’ hit-back isn’t just personal – it’s a reminder: the throne’s defended one leg at a time. As he eyes Ally Pally redemption (defending Worlds vs. potential Littler QF), The Nuke’s got a blueprint. Northampton? Humphries’ house. Wolverhampton? Game on. 🎯
