Luke Littler secured the top spot on the Premier League Darts leaderboard after a dramatic 6-5 victory over fellow Englishman Luke Humphries in the Night 13 final held in Aberdeen. The win marked Littler's fifth consecutive nightly triumph, a run that has propelled the 19‑year‑old to the summit of the competition and underscored his rapid rise in the sport. The Aberdeen showdown was historic for another reason: it was the first time this season that the tournament’s two highest‑ranked players met in a final. Humphries, who had not reached a final since Night Six in Nottingham, was eager to add another win to his résumé, but Littler proved too resilient on the night.
Earlier in the season, Humphries fell short in the Nottingham final, losing to Jonny Clayton. That defeat allowed Littler to overtake Clayton in the standings when he clinched a second straight nightly win in Aberdeen, despite enduring a chorus of boos from some sections of the crowd. The boos did not deter Littler, who opened the final with an impressive 11‑dart leg, setting a high‑quality tone for the match.
Both competitors exchanged heavy scoring and precise finishes, keeping the tension high from the first throw. Humphries levelled the match at 2‑2 with a smooth 130 checkout, then appeared to seize a pivotal break of throw by completing a 10‑dart leg that gave him a 4‑3 lead. With a chance to close out the match, Littler held his throw to bring the score to 5‑4 in his favour, but Humphries fought back, pushing the contest to a deciding leg.
In the final leg, Littler rallied magnificently, stringing together three consecutive legs to clinch the match 6‑5 and claim the night’s top honors. After the victory, Littler told Sky Sports, "I always want to be on the top.
Jonny [Clayton] may not be as concerned about the leaderboard, but I want to chase it and hopefully break my own record of six nightly wins from 2025." He added that his practice sessions had been going well and that he felt comfortable on stage, noting that the crowd was supportive, though not as loud as he would have liked. "We could use another Scottish player in the Premier League to lift the atmosphere a bit," he suggested, before expressing excitement for the upcoming night in Leeds. The night also featured several other key results that reshaped the table. Jonny Clayton, who had been knocked out 6‑2 by Dutch newcomer Gian van Veen in his quarter‑final, has already secured a place at the Finals Night at The O2 on May 28, alongside Littler.
Van Veen’s win narrowed the gap to Michael van Gerwen, although van Gerwen himself suffered a 6‑3 defeat at the hands of Humphries in a crucial quarter‑final clash, missing an opportunity to extend his lead over the chasing pack. Gerwyn Price, the world number one, capitalised on his chances by defeating Stephen Bunting 6‑5 in a tightly contested quarter‑final, earning two valuable points. Bunting, together with bottom‑placed Josh Rock, now finds their chances of reaching the Finals Night slipping away.
Rock had earlier been beaten 6‑3 by Littler in the opening match of the evening. In the semi‑finals, the world’s top‑ranked player, Michael van Gerwen, was overwhelmed by Humphries, who again demonstrated his composure under pressure with a 6‑3 win.
Meanwhile, in a parallel semi‑final, Littler delivered a dominant 6‑1 performance over Price, marking his 15th victory in the last 16 encounters against the Welshman and cementing his reputation as a clutch performer. Sky Sports darts analyst Wayne Mardle praised Littler’s mental fortitude, recalling the youngster’s early career: "Before the Premier League started, Littler had four wins in year one, six in year two, and it seemed he was on track for seven, eight, nine wins this season, but then his momentum stalled. The way he handled the pressure over the last two weeks, especially in that final, was extraordinary. He navigates high‑pressure moments better than anyone else right now.
No one handles stressful situations on a dartboard better than Luke Littler at the moment, and that’s why he’s winning." Mardle also highlighted a key moment when Humphries missed a chance to clinch the title: "When you are 5‑3 up in the final, that’s a missed opportunity for Humphries. If you have the throw to win a tournament or a night, you feel the weight of that chance. Unfortunately, Littler decided ‘I’m not going to give you a chance to win.’ Humphries broke Littler in 10 darts, but he didn’t capitalise afterwards because Littler’s brilliance shone through." The result leaves Littler three points ahead, a comfortable cushion that should see him through to the Play‑Offs, though Humphries will be left reflecting on a night that was both promising and disappointing.
As the season progresses, the battle for the remaining Play‑Off spots intensifies, with players like van Gerwen, van Veen, and the emerging Dutch talent all vying for the coveted positions. Fans can continue to follow the Premier League Darts action every Thursday until the season finale in May on Sky Sports, with live streaming available through NOW. The league’s schedule and current table remain accessible online, alongside highlights, podcasts, and expert analysis for those who want to stay up‑to‑date with the sport’s latest developments. For those seeking real‑time updates, Sky Sports offers a WhatsApp channel delivering breaking news, video highlights, and in‑depth features.
The question on everyone’s mind remains: who will ultimately lift the Premier League Darts trophy? The answer will unfold over the coming weeks as the remaining nights deliver more drama, high scores, and unforgettable moments on the oche.