Fans spot Luke Littler’s classy gesture towards Luke Humphries after loss in final of Premier League Darts
In the thrilling final of Night 14 at the 2025 Premier League Darts in Leeds, 18-year-old Luke Littler fell to world No. 1 Luke Humphries in a tense 6-5 last-leg decider at the First Direct Arena. Despite the defeat, Littler’s sportsmanship shone through in a moment that captured fans’ attention. As the two players embraced post-match, Littler raised Humphries’ hand aloft, mimicking a boxing referee’s gesture to honor the victor. This classy act, reported by The Irish Sun, showcased Littler’s respect for Humphries, who ended a 10-week wait for a nightly win while wearing a Leeds United-inspired shirt celebrating the club’s recent promotion.[
The gesture resonated widely, with fans on X praising Littler’s maturity. @SunSport noted, “Fans spot Luke Littler’s classy gesture towards Luke Humphries after loss,” highlighting the moment’s impact. Humphries reciprocated the respect, telling Sky Sports, “You have to be at your best to beat Littler,” acknowledging the high level required to edge out the teenage sensation. The final saw both players miss match darts at the bullseye, but Humphries sealed the win with a 52 checkout, averaging 100.96 to Littler’s 99.89.[]
Littler, a Manchester United fan, faced a hostile Leeds crowd, goading them earlier with a “cry baby” gesture after his quarter-final win over Nathan Aspinall. Yet, his graciousness in defeat underscored the mutual respect between him and Humphries, who have split four Premier League finals in 2025. Humphries’ victory secured his play-off spot, while Littler, already qualified, remains atop the table.[
This moment adds to Littler’s reputation for sportsmanship, seen previously in his 2024 World Championship final loss to Humphries, where fans noted his composure. The friendly rivalry, summed up by @ChrisHammer180 on X, continues to elevate darts, with both players pushing each other to new heights. As they head to Aberdeen for Night 15, Littler’s gesture serves as a reminder of the sport’s camaraderie, even amidst fierce competition.
