Luke Littler cemented his position at the summit of the Premier League Darts leaderboard with a dramatic 6-5 victory over his fellow Englishman Luke Humphries in the Night 13 final held in Aberdeen. The win marked Littler's fifth consecutive nightly triumph, a feat that underscores his rapid ascent in the sport and his growing reputation as a clutch performer. The Aberdeen showdown was historic for another reason: it was the first final of this season to feature the two highest‑ranked players in the world.
Humphries, who had not reached a final since Night Six in Nottingham, was eager to reclaim his momentum after a loss to Jonny Clayton at that earlier event. Clayton, meanwhile, was overtaken in the standings by Littler, who seized the top spot with his latest success despite enduring a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd. From the first throw, Littler displayed his intent, opening the match with an impressive 11‑dart leg that set the tone for a high‑quality exchange of darts between the two competitors. Humphries responded swiftly, leveling the score at two legs each with a clean 130 checkout.
He then appeared to gain a decisive edge, delivering a rapid 10‑dart leg that put him ahead 4‑3 and seemed to signal a potential break of throw. Littler, however, demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the sport's most resilient talents. After falling behind, he rallied with a series of three consecutive legs, turning the tide and ultimately clinching the match 6‑5. The comeback highlighted his composure under pressure and his ability to capitalize on fleeting opportunities.
In post‑match remarks to Sky Sports, the 19‑year‑old expressed his ambition: "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." Littler also praised his preparation, noting that a comfortable practice session had helped him feel at ease on stage. He commented on the atmosphere, acknowledging that the crowd was "okay tonight, but definitely not the loudest." Littler suggested that the presence of another Scottish player in the league could boost the energy levels in future events.
He concluded with optimism about the upcoming night in Leeds, saying, "I can't wait for Leeds next week." The night also featured other pivotal matches that will shape the playoff picture. Jonny Clayton, who suffered a 6‑2 defeat to Gian van Veen in his quarter‑final, has already secured a place at the Finals Night at The O2 on May 28, joining Littler.
Two remaining spots remain contested. Van Veen's victory over Clayton narrowed the gap between him and Michael van Gerwen, though both players fell short in their semi‑finals—Van Veen lost 6‑3 to Humphries, and van Gerwen was also beaten 6‑3 by Humphries in a crucial quarter‑final earlier in the evening. These results leave both men two points behind the league leader with three nights left. Gerwyn Price added two points to his tally by edging out Stephen Bunting 6‑5 in the quarter‑finals, while bottom‑placed Josh Rock appeared out of contention after a 6‑3 loss to Littler in the opening match of the night.
The world number one, Michael van Gerwen, later dominated Price 6‑1 in their semi‑final, marking his 15th win in the last 16 encounters against the Welshman. Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports Darts offered his analysis of Littler's performance, noting that the young prodigy had a strong start to his Premier League campaign with four wins in his first year and six in his second. "It seemed like he was on track for seven, eight, even nine wins, but then things stalled," Mardle said.
"The way he's handled the last two weeks, especially that final, shows his mental toughness. He navigates pressure better than anyone else right now, which is why he wins." Mardle also highlighted a key moment when Humphries had a chance to take the lead at 5‑3 but failed to convert, allowing Littler to seize the initiative. "When you're up 5‑3 in a final, that's a missed opportunity for Humphries.
He had the throw to win the night, but Littler wasn't going to give him that chance," Mardle explained. "Humphries broke Littler in ten darts, but Littler's brilliance in the subsequent legs secured the win." The result improves Littler's standing by three valuable points, keeping his playoff hopes alive, while Humphries faces disappointment as he reflects on a night that could have swung in his favor. As the league progresses, the battle for the remaining playoff spots intensifies, with each night offering a chance for players to climb the table. Fans can continue to follow the Premier League Darts action every Thursday until the season concludes in May, with live coverage on Sky Sports and streaming options via NOW.
The league's schedule and updated table are available on the official Premier League Darts website, alongside highlights, podcasts, and the latest darts videos.