Luke Littler cemented his position at the summit of the Premier League Darts leaderboard with 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, propelling the 19-year-old to the top of the table and underscoring his rapid rise in the sport.
The showdown was historic for the 2025 season, as it was the inaugural final that featured the two highest‑ranked players in the world. Humphries, who had not appeared in a Premier League final since Night Six in Nottingham, was eager to add another win to his résumé. At that earlier stage he had been bested by Jonny Clayton, a result that allowed Littler to overtake him in the standings when the Aberdeen night concluded. From the outset, Littler displayed his intent, opening the match with an impressive 11‑dart leg that set the tone for a high‑quality exchange of darts.
Both competitors produced sharp, accurate scores in the opening frames, keeping the audience on edge. Humphries managed to level 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. Littler, however, remained composed.
After holding his own throw to bring the score to 5‑5, he launched a remarkable comeback, capturing three consecutive legs to clinch the match 6‑5. The victory not only secured his second straight nightly win but also demonstrated his resilience under pressure, even as the crowd occasionally expressed disapproval. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Littler said, "I always want to be on the top. Jonny [Clayton] may not be overly concerned about his position, but I want to chase him 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, "The crowd were okay tonight, but definitely not the loudest.
I think we need another Scottish player in the Premier League to bring the atmosphere up a little bit!" Littler expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Leeds fixture, stating, "I can't wait for Leeds next week." The night also featured several other notable results. Jonny Clayton, who had been defeated 6‑2 by Gian van Veen in his quarter‑final, has already secured a spot for the Finals Night at The O2 on May 28, joining Littler.
Van Veen's victory narrowed the gap to Michael van Gerwen, though both van Veen and Humphries fell behind MVG by two points with three nights remaining after Humphries' 6‑3 semi‑final loss. Michael van Gerwen himself suffered a 6‑3 defeat to Humphries in a crucial quarter‑final clash, missing an opportunity to extend his lead over the chasing pack. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price added two points to his tally by edging out Stephen Bunting 6‑5 in their quarter‑final, while bottom‑of‑the‑table Josh Rock appeared increasingly out of contention for the Finals Night after a 6‑3 loss to Littler in the opening match.
In the later stages, the world number one, Michael van Gerwen, was soundly beaten 6‑1 by Luke Littler in the semi‑final, marking Littler's 15th win in his last 16 against the Welshman. This dominant performance further highlighted Littler's growing confidence and his ability to deliver under the most intense circumstances. Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports Darts offered high praise for the young champion, observing, "Before the Premier League started, Littler had four wins in year one, six in year two, and surely it was going to be seven, eight, nine here, but then it kind of stalled for a little bit.
But the way he's dealt with it the last two weeks – that final was not a coast, it was a hard game. He gets through all the pressurised moments better than anyone else. That's the difference. No one handles stressful situations on a dartboard better than Luke Littler right now.
That's why he wins." Mardle also dissected the pivotal moments of the final, noting, "When you are 5‑3 up in the final, that's a missed opportunity for Humphries. If you've got the throw to win a tournament or a night, you feel like you've had the opportunity.
Unfortunately, Luke Littler decided 'I'm not going to give you a chance to win.' Humphries broke Littler in 10 darts, but he didn't take the opportunity afterwards due to the brilliance of Littler. He's in a way better spot than he was before the night began, it's three welcome points.
He's got to believe he can somehow still make the Play‑Offs, but tonight will still be bitterly disappointing for him." The Premier League Darts season continues to captivate fans each Thursday, with the race for the top spots tightening as the remaining nights approach. Viewers can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream the matches via NOW, while additional analysis, highlights, and podcasts such as "Love the Darts" provide deeper insight into the players' performances and strategies. The competition remains open, and the question of who will ultimately claim the Premier League title remains a hot topic among enthusiasts, as every night brings new twists and potential upsets.