World No. 1 Luke Humphries has issued a bold warning to reigning Premier League Darts champion Luke Littler, vowing to dethrone the 18-year-old sensation at the 2025 BetMGM Premier League play-offs on May 29 at London’s O2 Arena. As reported by *The Mirror* on May 15, 2025, Humphries, who faces Littler in the quarter-finals on Night 15 in Aberdeen, emphasized his determination to claim the coveted title, stating, “Winning in Leeds last week will give me great confidence, but the goal now is to be Premier League champion.”
Littler, the 2024 Premier League and 2025 PDC World Champion, has dominated the 2025 season, topping the table with 38 points and nine nightly wins, including a 6-1 thrashing of Humphries in Newcastle. His 104.2 average in a 6-3 semi-final win over Gerwyn Price in Leeds showcased his form, per *Sky Sports*. Yet, Humphries, with three nightly victories (Belfast, Exeter, Leeds), remains a formidable rival, holding a 3-3 record against Littler in 2025 Premier League clashes. Humphries’ 6-5 Leeds final win on May 8, averaging 100.96, proved he can edge out Littler in clutch moments, as he noted, “You have to be at your best to beat him.”
Humphries, already qualified for the play-offs alongside Littler and Price, is focused on the O2, where Littler could secure a second consecutive table-topping season with a win in Aberdeen. “When I’m at my best, I know I can push him,” Humphries said, reflecting on Littler’s Newcastle dominance but highlighting his own resilience, per *The Mirror*. The Leeds victory, fueled by Leeds United’s promotion, boosted his confidence, with fans on X calling him a “homecoming hero.”
The Aberdeen clash, pitting Littler against Humphries, is a precursor to a potential play-off showdown, with Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall vying for the final spot. Humphries’ warning underscores their rivalry, intensified by Littler’s 2024 Premier League final win over him (10-6), per *The Guardian*. As Littler aims to defend his crown, Humphries’ experience and 6-4 play-off qualification win over van Gerwen in Leeds signal he’s ready to challenge “The Nuke” for darts’ biggest prize.
