“Darts needs Luke Littler – Luke Littler doesn’t need darts”: Luke Humphries sends message amid Littler show of emotion after Premier League final

The 2026 Premier League Darts final delivered a contest that will live long in the memory, as world champion Luke Littler edged out defending champion Luke Humphries 11-10 in a breathtaking showdown at The O2.

While the result went against him, Humphries left the stage full of pride after playing his part in one of the highest-quality finals the competition has seen in recent years. The world No.1 pushed Littler all the way before eventually falling just short in a match that showcased the very best of modern darts.

Reflecting on the defeat, Humphries said: “It was a great game and I pushed him all the way. I say it in all my interviews – there’s no one else in the world of darts who can push him like I can.

“It’s just unfortunate that a couple of darts cost me. That kick into the treble one was crucial. If that had stayed in the treble 20, I’d have had darts. It’s disappointing because I had the opportunity to really kick on and I didn’t.

“But someone said he averaged over 110, so you can’t complain too much when someone plays like that.”

Remarkable turnaround

Humphries’ journey to the final was far from straightforward. After a difficult opening half of the Premier League campaign, he found himself down in seventh place after ten weeks and facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Play-Offs.

However, the former world champion battled back to secure third place and ultimately reached the final, something he viewed as a major achievement in itself.

“Considering the way the season started, after the first 10 weeks I was down in seventh, and then I managed to scrape my way into third in the end,” Humphries explained.

“Once you get into the Play-Offs it’s almost a free run because anything else is a bonus. A lot of people didn’t expect me to be here, but I managed to get here and give myself a chance to retain the title.

“I’m proud of myself for having that opportunity and giving it a proper shot. I certainly gave it a good go – it just wasn’t enough in the end.”

Signs his best form has returned

Although another major final defeat was difficult to take, Humphries believes his recent performances show he is rediscovering the form that made him one of the dominant forces in the sport.

“I’m always confident and always feel good. I always believe there’s an opportunity for me to win major titles.

“I’ve probably been on the wrong end of too many major final losses now. But I don’t think I’ve played badly against him. Sometimes Luke is just at that level where, when it’s really important, he seems to shine.

“A couple of mistakes from him and he loses that match. It was tough because sometimes you feel like you’re just sticking with him.

“But from the first break I knew I was in good form. Maybe it fell away a little bit towards the end, but I’m still proud of the performance overall.”

A rivalry built on respect

The rivalry between Humphries and Littler continues to grow, yet what stands out most is the genuine friendship and mutual respect shared by the pair.

Following the final, the two embraced on stage, with Humphries offering support to the emotional teenager after his victory.

“I just gave him a cuddle and told him to take a bit of time,” Humphries said.

“I’m always there for him if he needs it. Maybe it was emotional because we’ve been on the road for 16 or 17 weeks and he’s had a hard time since Manchester.

“It was probably a build-up of emotion. I think when the crowd got behind him at the end, he felt a bit of relief.”

Humphries went even further, describing Littler as one of his closest friends on tour.

“I love him to bits. He’s one of my great friends. If I need to step in and take some of the limelight off him so he can relax a little bit, then I’ll do that.”

Darts needs Littler

The emotional scenes after the final also highlighted the challenges Littler has faced over recent months, with the teenage star receiving criticism and negative crowd reactions at several venues.

Having experienced similar situations himself, Humphries expressed sympathy for his rival.

“I’ve always been a good loser. I’ve had my fair share of wins and I’ve won a lot of things.

“I know what he’s going through. After I beat him in the World Championship, it felt like everyone was against me for no real reason. It’s hard because you get to the point where you don’t even want to go and play because it feels like everyone hates you.”

Humphries was adamant about Littler’s importance to the sport.

“People do want to watch him play. Darts needs Luke Littler – Luke Littler doesn’t need darts, that’s the truth.

“It’s nice to see him bounce back with the fans. He’s trying to show everyone he’s just a normal person. A lot of people see him as a robot, but he’s not. He’s a normal person and a good kid.”

Why Littler thrives under pressure

Asked what makes Littler so difficult to beat in the longer format, Humphries pointed to the teenager’s exceptional throwing action and unshakeable self-belief.

“He’s got a really solid throw and there’s not much that can go wrong.

“When you’re that young, it’s hard to explain how you can be so clinical. He might not have loads of experience compared to some players, but over the last couple of years he’s gained a lot.

“He’s also not had many of the mental or physical scars that can affect players. Everything has gone his way so far.

“He has belief in his game all the time. He’s a fantastic player and, as today showed, sometimes even my best isn’t good enough.”

Eyes already on Blackpool

Despite the heartbreak of defeat, Humphries is already looking ahead to the next major challenge – the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

The world No.1 believes his recent performances prove he remains one of the favourites for every major title.

“The Matchplay is tough because you’re playing so many great players. It’s not like the Premier League where you can afford a couple of losses and still recover. In the Matchplay, if you lose, you’re out.

“I’ve been playing some great darts. If I can go there and play like I did tonight consistently, I’ll be a difficult player to beat.

“I’ll keep doing what I do, keep pushing and keep making it hard for him to win these tournaments. If he’s having to average what he did tonight to beat me, then I’ll keep making life difficult for him.”

For all the disappointment of another narrow defeat, Humphries’ performance at The O2 served as a reminder that the battle for darts supremacy is far from over. If this final was any indication, the rivalry between Humphries and Littler still has many memorable chapters left to write.