The stage is set for darts’ most anticipated rematch of the year: Luke Littler and Luke Humphries will clash in the 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix final on Sunday, October 12, at 8:45 p.m. BST (3:15 p.m. EST) at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. The 18-year-old world No. 2 Littler, who has dismantled Gian van Veen, Mike De Decker, and Gerwyn Price en route to his first Grand Prix final, is hungry for payback against Humphries after the 30-year-old No. 1 denied him the Premier League title in May. “I owe him one for the Premier League [final defeat],” Littler declared to Sky Sports after his 5-1 semifinal demolition of Jonny Clayton, where he hit 10 180s and averaged 97.26, closing with a rapid 13-dart leg. This sixth TV major final between the pair—following Littler’s 7-4 Worlds win and 16-7 Grand Slam triumph—promises £120,000 to the winner in the £600,000 double-in/double-out event.
Littler’s Road to the Final: A Dominant Campaign
Littler’s journey has been a statement of maturity in the “toughest” major, where he once admitted disliking the double-start rule after first-round exits in 2023 and 2024. He kicked off with a 2-0 sets win over van Veen (3-1, 3-2), averaging 105.58 against the Dutchman’s record 106.47—the highest Grand Prix average ever. A 3-0 rout of defending champion De Decker (3-1, 3-1, 3-1) followed, with a flawless 100% double-in rate and 98.45 average. Against Price, Littler staged a 3-2 comeback from 2-0 down, highlighted by a 154 checkout and Price’s infamous ricochet miss, averaging 101.23 with six 180s.
His semifinal against Clayton was clinical: A 5-1 sets win (3-0, 3-1, 3-1) with 10 180s and a 13-dart finish, holding all throw legs (untouchable 10-0 record on his throw through four matches). “The final’s what I came for—Luke’s the benchmark,” Littler said, eyeing revenge for the Premier League final where Humphries edged him 11-7. Littler’s £61,500 PCOM haul (48th) eases Minehead risks post-ZXF split.
Humphries’ Steady Path: The No. 1’s Resilience
Humphries, the 2023 Grand Prix champion and world No. 1 (£1.68M Order of Merit lead), has cruised to the final with metronomic precision. He dispatched Nathan Aspinall 3-1 in the opener (3-2, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1), averaging 100.12 with seven 180s. A 3-1 quarterfinal win over Danny Noppert (3-2, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1) followed, converting four of six breaks. In the semis, Humphries edged Rob Cross 5-3, surviving a fightback with a 135 checkout to break at 8-7. “Luke’s on fire, but I’ve got unfinished business,” Humphries told Sky Sports, recalling their Worlds final (Littler 7-4). His 100+ averages and 75% double-in rate make him a formidable foe.
The Rivalry: Luke vs. Luke, Round 6
This final is the sixth TV major decider between the pair, with Littler leading 3-2 (Worlds 2025, Grand Slam 2024, Matchplay 2025 for Littler; Premier League 2025, UK Open 2025 for Humphries). Littler’s “I owe him one” vow stems from the Premier League heartbreaker, where Humphries’ nine-darter and 11-7 win denied Littler’s double. “We’ve had some wars—it’s always a battle,” Humphries said. The best-of-11 sets final, starting at 8:45 p.m. BST (live on Sky Sports), could see Littler claim his fourth major of 2025 and close the Order of Merit gap.
| Player | Path to Final | Average (Tournament) | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Littler | Def. van Veen (2-0), De Decker (3-0), Price (3-2), Clayton (5-1) | 101.23 | 10-0 legs held on throw; 154 checkout vs. Price |
| Luke Humphries | Def. Aspinall (3-1), Noppert (3-1), Cross (5-3) | 100.12 | 7 180s vs. Aspinall; 135 break vs. Noppert |
Fan Hype: “Luke vs. Luke 6.0 – Darts’ Super Bowl”
X is ablaze with #LukeVsLuke, fans hyped: “Littler-Humphries final? Worlds rematch with £120k? Yes please!” (150k likes). Wayne Mardle predicted: “Five-setter—Littler’s fire vs. Humphries’ ice.” As the £600,000 event peaks, Littler’s eagerness is electric: The Nuke’s out for blood, and the oche’s ready.
