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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Nine-darters cost bookmaker £150,000 – but they were more than happy about it
Bookmaker BetMGM became the PDC Premier League's title sponsor in 2024, and a new incentive they introduced to the players this year ended up losing them £150,000 – though they weren't too fussed Nine-dart finishes are on the agenda at the World Matchplay – though, unlike in the Premier League, players will only be rewarded with bragging rights. The first ever nine-dart finish to be broadcast live on UK television took place on the Winter Gardens stage, when Phil' The Power' Taylor scooped up £100,000 for achieving perfection in 2002. While there will be no specific monetary gain on offer for anyone who dares hit a nine in Blackpool this time around, the feat did have some lucrative strings attached if made during the 2025 Premier League. Bookmakers BetMGM, who sponsored the 17-week competition, put a bounty on the nine-darter's head: a £30,000 set of 18-carat solid golden arrows. However, they perhaps didn't fathom quite how talented the Premier League cohort were, and ended up joyfully out of pocket. Eventual champion Luke Humphries kicked things off when he thumped in nine perfect darts against Rob Cross during Night 5 in Brighton. Later in the evening, Voltage returned the favour against Nathan Aspinall, bringing the tally to two. In Cardiff two weeks later, Luke Littler sealed a nine in a rematch of the World Darts Championship final against Michael van Gerwen. The Nuke was then on the receiving end of perfection during Night 10 in Manchester at the hands of Gerwyn Price, and the final nine-darter of the campaign was fired in by the Welshman during Night 15 in Aberdeen. Altogether, five sets of 18ct golden darts were handed out, two going home with The Iceman, and BetMGM were shaken to the tune of £150k. Yet, brand director Dan Towse feels their sponsorship of the event was a resounding success. World Matchplay Darts 2025 preview ON SALE NOW Warm up for the World Matchplay darts at the famous Winter Gardens with our 48-page preview publication, which is available to order now The height of summer, darts, Blackpool. It can only mean one thing - the World Matchplay at the famous Winter Gardens. You can get ready for one of the highlights of the darting year with our special preview publication. "Sponsoring the BetMGM Premier League has been a real success for us as a brand," he began. "Darts as a sport continues to grow and the BetMGM Premier League alone has seen growth in viewing figures year-on-year. Finals Night at the O2 saw the largest ever darts crowd in the UK. "It's fantastic that we are front and centre of one of the biggest events in the darting calendar for 17 weeks and we have seen really positive numbers in recognition of the BetMGM brand and attribution of our sponsorship to the tournament. "Nine-darters are incredible moments for players, fans and us at BetMGM. Naturally, TV coverage, replays and social noise to nine-darters help the brand cut through visually. But we wanted to elevate that further by offering an incentive of 18ct gold darts to players who achieved the feat throughout the season, which added something to what is already a huge achievement." Asked whether they expected to be parting with so much gold, Towse added: "I think it shows the standard of professional darts at the moment. "The gold darts were also something the players were genuinely incentivised by. We put together the campaign because we wanted to reward the players for achieving a feat that doesn't happen very often. "The reaction from the players has been really positive – some have already asked if we'll be doing it again next year, which shows how engaged they have been with the campaign. Did we expect two on the same night in Brighton? No, but it was incredible to see in person!" BetMGM reached a deal with the PDC to back the competition in 2024, and carried that partnership into this year's renewal. To mark the beginning of their sponsorship, 12-foot-tall golden darts were placed around the city of Cardiff last year in statue-like form. Despite going one better and parting with five solid gold sets to those who achieved a nine-dart finish, BetMGM seem keen to keep up the cooperation. "Darts has become a truly global game with new tournaments in new regions taking place every year, and I can only see the sport's popularity continuing to rise in the coming years, particularly with the impact the likes of Luke Littler have had," Towse continued. "But for us personally, we have already seen growth in metrics from year-on-year and heading into 2026 we can't wait to do it all over again!"
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Humphries makes Luke Littler claim ahead of World Cup of Darts
Luke Humphries is used to being enemies with Luke Littler on the darts circuit but soon they will put their rivalry aside for the World Cup of Darts - and he is excited by the prospect of them teaming up Luke Humphries can't wait to be Luke Littler 's team-mate at the World Cup of Darts next month - because they meet so often as rivals. Cool Hand Luke won the pair's NINTH shoot-out in 105 days to reaffirm his credentials as world No.1 with a clinical 11-8 triumph in the BetMGM Premier League play-offs final at London's O2 arena on Thursday night. Humphries became only the fourth man to complete the Triple Crown of darts - world title, World Matchplay and Premier League champion - after Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson. And his £305,000 prize money, including three £10k bonuses on the Thursday night circus tour, underlined him as 18-year-old sensation Littler's biggest threat to dominating the sport. Can I play you every week? Humphries would have no complaints if that's how it unfolds - even if it risks diluting their box-office rivalry through sheer repetition. He said: 'If it's me and Luke in the final of every tournament, you will see us playing each other 40 or 50 times a year. If we play in every Players Championship on the floor and European Tour event, plus every TV major and every Premier League, that's what could happen. 'But the only reason we play each other so much is because we end up making the finals - I don't know how you stop it. People talk about changing the Premier League format, but why would I want to change it when I reached the final one year and won it the next? 'The magnitude of darts now is such that we could meet three or four times a week if we made every final. But if you are the two best players in the world, performing so well, and making the final every week, that's how it works. "I would not even dream of suggesting they change the Premier League format - it's up to the PDC, they know what they are doing. The fans still come in their thousands, it still gets good numbers on Sky Sports. It's up to people like me to work hard and win titles. Let's not change it.' Littler, who ran out of gas at the O2 after topping the Premier League table for almost four months, and Humphries will fly the flag for defending champions England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. Luke the Nuke said: 'I can't wait for the World Cup. He won it last year, so now he can lead me to victory.' Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, the pairing who won it four times in five years between 2012-16, say the Two Lukes will take some stopping - and Humphries agrees. He said: 'It will take good darts to beat us. They will have to play well. We have got a lot of pressure on our shoulders, but we will thrive on it. I love Luke, I think he's a good kid and a close friend of mine in darts. When I am around him, we always speak, we always chat. He's a great kid. 'It's always nice to share the stage with him. Of course, he will probably win more than I will ever win in my career because he's so young and he's a great talent. I am happy when I nab one here and there, but I am sure he will get me back many times in the future. 'It's another final in the Luke and Luke saga. The next big one is the World Cup, between all the big nations, and I really want to win that again. I will hopefully guide Luke to World Cup glory, and I hope our rivalry continues. But there is always someone else that comes around the corner. In five years' time there could be 10 players as good as me and Luke. 'I'd love to say over the next 10 years we will battle it out over many finals. We probably will. But there will probably be a lot of other names in and around and involved with us."
Irish Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Luke Humphries shows true colours with Littler comment after Premier League win
Darting glory was tasted 12 months later for Luke Humphries as he expertly wielded his epee, defeating his rival in a record-breaking final before an ecstatic sell-out capacity of 14,000 fans at London's O2 arena. In a stunning reversal of fortunes from last year, Humphries clinched his first BetMGM Premier League title, securing the coveted Triple Crown of darts and pocketing a cool £275,000 in prize money. Although the duel between the two Lukes didn't always hit the expected heights, Cool Hand Luke's win now marks him as the holder of darts' three most prestigious accolades: the world championship, World Matchplay, and now the Premier League crown. The victory also saw him stave off Luke Littler, dubbed 'Luke the Nuke', from breaking through the £1 million earnings threshold in 2025 alone. Following his triumph, Humphries gushed with camaraderie and ambition, saying, "I love Luke to bits, he is one of my best mates on tour and we'll be teaming up at the World Cup of Darts next month. If we produce our best nobody's going to touch us." He went on to express his elation and sense of fulfilment, adding, "If I don't win another title, I'm happy because I've done the three hardest ones to do. I've joined an exclusive group of me, Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen", reports the Mirror. Humphries even paid homage to darting legend Phil Taylor, expressing gratitude with the words, "To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support. He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win. I can retire now – I'm done! But seriously, I want to search for more. It makes me want to be a better player." A chuffed player boasted, "I've won eight major titles. Now it's important to finish the end of the season well." Littler admitted with a resigned tone, "Nobody likes losing but I'm glad it's over - it's been a tough 17 weeks and I'll be back next year." Backstage drama unfolded as both players expressed discontent over the playing conditions at the stage—supposedly due to a draught—and communicated their grievances to tournament officials during the interval. But regardless of their discomfort, Littler, at 18, saw his dreams of emulating darts greats Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen by retaining the Premier League title dissipate into thin air. In what was the ninth face-off between the two Lukes in this season's Premier League and undoubtedly the most lucrative, old scores were on the line. Last year's final had Humphries in control until Littler rolled out a nine-dart finish, effectively making off with the loot and securing his first TV major title at only 17 years old. With pandemonium breaking out in their last bout in Aberdeen just two weeks prior—where the treble 20 felt the wrath of Humphries' nine maximums and a sky-high average of 110, yet ironically he still faced defeat. Winning the backstage bull toss for who throws first may seem minor in other rivalries, but between these two, it's often pivotal given their razor-thin margins. Ever since Humphries clinched an epic World Championship final at Ally Pally 17 months ago, his contests with Littler have evolved, casting them as the best of adversaries. However, as Littler's performance began to falter, Humphries clinched the win with a double 10 - Littler's favourite - just before the first chimes of Nukes at Ten. The journey that started in Belfast early in February culminated with Humphries embracing his family in the VIP seats. Littler didn't fare too badly either - his £125,000 runner-up prize and six £10,000 bonus payments for winning half a dozen nights on the 16-week tour through seven countries is not your average teenager's pocket money. In his semi-final against fish-and-chip shop owner Gerwyn Price, it seemed like Littler was out of luck when he was trailing 6-4 at the break. Price had kicked away an object, possibly a bottle, which landed on stage before the start - whoever threw it needs a stern talking-to - but the Nuke seemed to lose his nerve initially. Five of the first seven legs went against the throw and the world champion missed 10 of his first 13 shots at a double. But Littler gave himself a pep talk during the interval and he shifted gears, taking six of the next seven legs to reach the final with a 104.64 average.
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Humphries makes Littler feelings clear after winning Premier League title
Luke Humphries went one step better than this time a year ago, as the world number one overcame Luke Littler in a tense Premier League Darts final at the O2 Arena Revenge is a dish best served 12 months later, and this time Luke Littler was on the sharp end of the swordsman's epee. In front of a record 14,000 sell-out crowd at London's O2 arena, Luke Humphries - the beaten finalist last year - completed the Triple Crown of darts by winning his first BetMGM Premier League title. The world No.1 takes home the £275,000 winner's loot after prevailing 11-8 against Littler in a patchy final which rarely lived up to the Lukes of Hazard's highest standards. Cool Hand Luke's triumph means he has now won the three biggest prizes in the sport - world title, World Matchplay and Premier League. And his eighth TV major denied Luke the Nuke the chance to crash through the £1 million barrier for prize money in 2025 alone. Humphries said: 'I love Luke to bits, he is one of my best mates on tour and we'll be teaming up at the World Cup of Darts next month. If we produce our best nobody's going to touch us." He added: 'If I don't win another title, I'm happy because I've done the three hardest ones to do. I've joined an exclusive group of me, Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. 'To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support. He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win. I can retire now – I'm done! But seriously, I want to search for more. It makes me want to be a better player. 'I've won eight major titles. Now it's important to finish the end of the season well." Littler shrugged: 'Nobody likes losing but I'm glad it's over - it's been a tough 17 weeks and I'll be back next year.' Both players were unhappy about conditions on stage - possibly a draught - and remonstrated with tournament officials backstage during the break. But whatever the issue, 18-year-old Littler's hopes of joining Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen as the only players to retain the Premier League crown were gone with the wind. In the Two Lukes' ninth meeting in this year's Premier League, and by far the richest, there were scores to settle. Humphries was in charge of last year's final until Littler unfurled a nine-dart perfect leg and disappeared over the horizon with the swag to win his first TV major as a 17-year-old. And the pair's previous clash, in Aberdeen a fortnight ago, was pandemonium. The treble 20 bed was carried off on a stretcher after Humphries hit nine maximums and averaged 110… but somehow managed to lose. Littler won the one-shot competition at the bull backstage for the right to throw first, a trivial footnote in most rivalries but potentially critical when they are so often separated by fine margins. Since Humphries won a classic World Championship final across town at Alexandra Palace 17 months ago, his meetings with Littler have turned them into the best of enemies. But as Littler's star waned, Humphries nailed double 10 - Littler's favourite - to seal the deal shortly before the first bongs on Nukes at Ten. A trail which began in Belfast early in February ended with Humphries embracing his family in the VIP seats. Littler didn't do too badly - his £125,000 runner-up loot and six £10,000 bonus payments for winning half a dozen nights on the 16-week slog through seven countries is smarter than your average teenager's pocket money. In his semi-final against fish-and-chip takeaway owner Gerwyn Price, it looked as though Littler had had his chips when he trailed 6-4 at the break. Price had kicked away a missile, possibly a bottle, which landed on stage before the start - whoever threw it needs a good slap - but the Nuke seemed to lose his bottle at first. Five of the first seven legs went against the throw and the world champion missed 10 of his first 13 shots at a double. But Littler gave himself a good talking-to at the interval and he went through the gears, taking six of the next seven legs to reach the final with a 104.64 average.
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Nathan Aspinall reveals what Premier League run has done for him and his game
The Stockport star achieved a lifetime darts ambition by making the big night at London's O2 Arena Positive Nathan Aspinall is adamant his run to the semi-finals of the BetMGM Premier League have set him up to fly for the rest of the year. The Stockport star achieved a lifetime darts ambition by making the big night at London's O2 Arena for a last-four clash against Luke Humphries. Unfortunately for Aspinall, Cool Hand proved too strong with the World No.1 securing a 10-7 success to reach the Final against Luke Littler. But the 33-year-old believes the 16-week run to the showpiece stands him in superb stead for the remainder of the campaign. Aspinall said: 'Yeah, I think already the Premier League's helped me, set me up for the rest of the year. "The performances that I've put in, the results I've got, it's given me the belief that I can still win at the highest level. 'We all know what I've got to defend in a couple of months, but apart from the Matchplay, there's nothing else to defend all year. "I got beat first round in the Worlds two years ago as well. I've always had the belief in my own ability. "The people around me always say that when I play in the Premier League, I'm playing regular against the best of the best all the time and it makes my game go higher and higher. "And I think that's what's happened. I'm more consistent now than I've been in probably the last two years and that's because I'm playing the best every single Thursday night. So it's been a big year for me so far.' Aspinall feels he has more heights to hit and added: 'I don't think I'm playing anywhere near my best. I'm averaging in the hundreds, regularly. "I'm having a couple of 103s, 104s, but then 95s, 96s. So, I think level-wise, it's nowhere near my best that I've played. "But I think I'm more consistent now than I've been over the last few years. "I very rarely average under 94, 95 now, which I know the big numbers getting produced week in, week out, but that's still world-class starts if you're doing that in the biggest stages of all, so I know where my game's at. 'There's still loads more to do, a lot more in the tank, a lot of work that I need to put in to get my game back to the pinnacle, but at the moment, especially with everything that's been going on this year, I'm very happy with where my game's at. "I think people worry too much about averages. I think maybe I'm 1.8 off the fourth or something like that over, what, 50 games. "It's absolutely nothing. I actually worry about how I feel on that stage and how I play.' I think I have a mentality to win when I'm not playing my best or my opponent's not playing their best, or if they're playing well, I'll find a way to pull something out the backside, a big shot or something like that..'
