Humphries Dominates in Premier League Kickoff in Belfast

In a spectacular display of precision and skill, World No. 1 Luke Humphries stormed to victory in the 2025 Premier League opener held in Belfast, decisively overcoming Chris Dobey with a score of 6-1. Humphries, fresh off his triumph at the World Masters, exhibited an impressive 86% success rate on doubles and achieved three checkouts over 100, solidifying his position as a formidable force in the darts world.

Humphries faced a challenging semi-final against Michael van Gerwen, where he found himself trailing 4-3. However, he showcased his resilience by clinching three consecutive legs as van Gerwen faltered on crucial doubles, ultimately missing a match dart at bullseye. "This is perhaps the toughest Premier League I've encountered in a long time. You need to be cautious on nights like these; they don't come around as often as you'd hope," Humphries stated, emphasizing the competitive nature of the league.

Earlier, van Gerwen had triumphantly battled through a nail-biting quarter-final against last year’s world champion Luke Littler, edging the match at 6-5 despite Littler's impressive average of 113.91, which stands as the highest recorded at the venue and the second highest in the competition's history. "Littler is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional talents I've seen in my career; he's the best player currently, and I'm ready to take on that challenge if he’s in my path," added Humphries, praising Littler’s remarkable skill.

Chris Dobey, who also faced a rough start, managed to level 4-4 in his semi-final by hitting a stunning 170 checkout, often referred to as a 'big fish', against Rob Cross, before ultimately advancing with a series of impressive legs.

The stakes are high as the Premier League Darts continues, with a format designed to test the mettle of each competitor over 16 weeks, culminating in a clash at London’s O2 Arena on 29 May. The tournament structure guarantees that each player faces all others, creating a dynamic and exciting environment filled with anticipation for every match.

Humphries' path to triumph solidifies his status as a leading contender in this year’s league, promising exhilarating darts action in the weeks to come.

Premier League Night 1 Results:

• Final: Luke Humphries 6-1 Chris Dobey
• Semi-finals:
  • Chris Dobey 6-4 Rob Cross
  • Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Luke Humphries
• Quarter-finals:
  • Chris Dobey 6-4 Gerwyn Price
  • Stephen Bunting 4-6 Rob Cross
  • Luke Littler 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
  • Nathan Aspinall 2-6 Luke Humphries

With the excitement building, the next match day scheduled for 13 February in Glasgow, fans are eager to see how the competitors will rise to the challenge as they continue their pursuit of the Premier League title.