Humphries created another slice of history in the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first player to win back-to-back titles in the Big Apple. Humphries and Littler partnered England to World Cup glory earlier this month, and the world’s top two resumed their rivalry in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,000 fans – a record for darts in the US.
Littler was aiming to lift the coveted crown for the first time in his career, although the reigning champion had other ideas, racing into a commanding 4-1 lead. The world number one responded with four straight legs to seize the initiative, only for Humphries to produce a late turnaround and celebrate his third World Series of Darts title.
Humphries was averaging over 107 in the opening stages of Friday’s showpiece, but after squandering two darts for a 5-1 lead, the pendulum appeared to shift. Littler – who crashed in nine maximums during a pulsating affair – hit back with a trademark mid-match burst to take control, but Humphries stemmed the tide with a clinical 72 kill to level at 5-5.
The pair then exchanged convincing holds in the closing stages, and the advantage of throw proved pivotal for Humphries, who conjured a sensational 11-darter in the decider to complete the fairytale in New York.
The 31-year-old performed magnificently on Finals Day, overcoming Stephen Bunting and Gian van Veen en route to his latest big stage title. Having averaged almost 106 in a 6-3 win against Bunting, Humphries produced a sensational four-leg flurry to topple Van Veen, overturning a 6-3 deficit and surviving two match darts to triumph.
2026 bet365 US Darts Masters
Friday June 26
Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler 6-1 Jim Long
James Wade 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries 6-3 Stephen Bunting
Gian van Veen 6-3 Jonny Clayton
Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 7-4 James Wade
Luke Humphries 7-6 Gian van Veen
Final
Luke Humphries 8-7 Luke Littler