Luke Humphries believes teenager Luke Littler will become world champion; Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday 1 February as Cardiff kick off the 17-week extravaganza through to the Play-Offs on Thursday 23 May at the O2, London.
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Last update: 04/01/24 at 9:06 a.m.
Luke Littler congratulates Luke Humphries after winning the World Darts Championship final (photo: PDC)
Luke Humphries admits he had to “spoil the party” after beating 16-year-old Luke Littler to win his first world darts championship title.
The debutant has set Alexandra Palace on fire over the past fortnight and was one victory away from producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time by becoming the youngest world champion.
But he fell at the final hurdle as Humphries showed why he is the new world number 1. with a resounding 7-4 victorywhich saw him win the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time.
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Highlights from Luke Humphries' thrilling victory over Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship final
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Humphries said he had to win the Worlds because he thought Littler would dominate darts
“Luke showed incredible courage, incredible determination. We will never see people like him again. To stand on that stage at a world final and produce those darts. I put so much pressure on him,” Humphries said.
“I love this kid to pieces and I hope he is in the Premier League and playing in everything because I would love to share the stage with him a lot more.
“I’ve just achieved something which is a dream for darts players, so I’m really, really happy.
“Obviously the crowd wanted Luke to win and I couldn't blame them because it would have been a fantastic story if he had won the tournament. What an incredible story it would have been for our sport.”
Life will never be the same for Littler, who now has worldwide fame, as his exploits have transcended the world of darts.
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Watch the moment Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Littler
He may have failed to achieve sporting immortality, but it's only the beginning for Littler and his time will surely come, with many suggesting he become a multiple champion.
“My dream was to be world champion and I had to spoil the party, but he will be world champion and if he doesn't I will be very, very shocked,” admitted Newbury hurler Humphries .
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The Athletic's David Ornstein reflected on Littler's loss to Humphries
“He's grown darts bigger than anyone could have imagined and what a way he's handled himself. He's got a fantastic attitude and he's got a great family behind him. He's got a huge future ahead of him.
“He's relentless, isn't he? That could be his nickname. There was just nothing that could have fazed him there. Every leg after leg he seemed to find a triple or two.
“It was the world final for a 16-year-old. To put in a performance like that, if he hadn't played well we all would have forgiven him. He was incredible. I don't have any superlatives to describe like it is good.”
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Humphries hits 170 in clash with Littler
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Littler responded by launching his own “Big Fish”
Humphries believes Littler should be given a lucrative place in the Premier League, adding: “If you don't want to be intimidated at the World Final, I don't think the Premier League will impress you. It takes a lot out of you, but it must make his own decision.
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Check out the best moments from the 2024 World Darts Championship
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Despite losing to Humphries, Littler was pleased with his incredible run to the final.
When is the 2024 Premier League?
Michael van Gerwen won the Premier League for a record seventh time last year.
The 2024 Premier League Darts season will begin in Cardiff on the first day of February with the Play-Offs taking place at the O2 Arena in London at the end of May.
Berlin, Glasgow, Newcastle and Exeter are holding events in February, before the Premier League roadshow heads to Brighton, Nottingham, Dublin and Belfast in March.
Manchester, Birmingham, Rotterdam and Liverpool are the host cities for Premier League nights in April, before Aberdeen, Leeds and Sheffield are the venues for the final in London on May 25.
Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday 1 February as Cardiff kick off the 17-week extravaganza through to the Play-Offs on Thursday 23 May. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract NOW