The rivalry between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries has become one of the most compelling storylines in modern darts — and thanks to the draw for the 2025 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals, fans might be headed for another blockbuster showdown.
Opposite Sides of the Draw
According to the official draw for the tournament in Minehead, Littler and Humphries are positioned on opposite halves of the bracket. (Sky Sports) This means that the earliest point at which they could face each other is in the final, scheduled for Sunday, 23 November. (Sky Sports)
Humphries, the defending Players Championship Finals champion, opens his campaign against Gian van Veen in the first round. (LiveDarts) Littler, meanwhile, begins against Jeffrey de Graaf. (Sky Sports)
Format and Stakes
The format of the event is as follows:
- Round 1 & Round 2: Best of 11 legs
- Round 3: Best of 19 legs
- Quarter-finals: Best of 19 legs
- Semi-finals: Best of 21 legs
- Final: Best of 21 legs (PDC)
With this structure, both players will need to navigate several tough matches, but their seeding gives each a theoretically clear path to the final without meeting until then.
What’s at Stake
This potential final carries deep narrative weight. Littler has recently taken over the world No. 1 ranking from Humphries, after defeating him in the Grand Slam of Darts final. (Sky Sports) Humphries, on the other hand, has a point to prove — not just as the defending champion of the Players Championship Finals, but as someone fighting to regain his top spot in the darts hierarchy. (Sky Sports)
If they do indeed reach the final, it would mark yet another chapter in their growing rivalry. A year ago, Humphries beat Littler 11–7 to win the same title. (Sky Sports) This time around, Littler will be going for revenge — and a second Players Championship Finals crown.
Final Thoughts
While nothing is guaranteed in a sport as unpredictable as darts, the draw has staged the possibility of a Littler vs. Humphries final, and fans will be watching every leg with keen interest. A win for Littler would further cement his status as the sport’s new benchmark. A win for Humphries, meanwhile, could be the message that his era is far from over.
