Littler Dazzles in Auckland to Complete World Series Double

Luke Littler delivered another breathtaking performance on Saturday night in Auckland, storming past world number one Luke Humphries to capture the 2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters title.

In front of a record-breaking crowd at the Spark Arena, the 18-year-old averaged a remarkable 115 in an 8–4 final victory, adding a second World Series crown in as many weeks after his triumph at the Australian Darts Masters. The win also stretched his current unbeaten run to 13 matches across all competitions and cemented his reputation as the sport’s most exciting young talent.

A Winning Habit

Just seven days earlier, Littler had lifted the title in Wollongong, following on from his World Matchplay glory in Blackpool. This time, the teenager looked even sharper, brushing aside Mike De Decker, Gerwyn Price, and finally Humphries to secure his fourth World Series crown.

“It felt like last week all over again,” Littler reflected after the final. “I didn’t start the tournament brilliantly, but when Finals Night comes around you have to raise it – and I did. I felt unbeatable up there. The crowd were fantastic, the atmosphere felt like a Premier League night, and to walk away with another trophy is incredible.”

Quarter-Final Statement

The Warrington prodigy began Finals Day against De Decker in what was a repeat of the Australian Masters final. The Belgian had hoped to snap a losing streak against Littler, but the teenager dominated once again, running out a 6–2 winner to extend his perfect record against De Decker.

That victory was a prelude to an even more ruthless semi-final display against former world champion Gerwyn Price. Littler raced to a 7–2 success, producing a near-109 average and barely giving the 2022 Auckland winner a look at doubles.

Final Masterclass

The highly anticipated final with Humphries – billed as a clash of the sport’s two standout players of 2024–25 – lived up to its hype. Littler burst out of the blocks, surging into a 3–0 lead as Humphries struggled to settle. A superb 83 checkout extended the advantage, before a pair of rapid-fire legs in 13 and 11 darts left the defending champion reeling.

Humphries showed the resilience that made him world number one, reeling off two legs in 13 and 11 darts to close the gap to 6–4. Yet Littler was relentless, sealing the title in style with back-to-back 11-darters that underlined the gulf on the night.

Despite the defeat, Humphries could take heart from his own performance, averaging 102 in the final after earlier beating Damon Heta 6–2 in the quarter-finals and overcoming Chris Dobey in a superb semi-final that featured seven maximums.

“When you face someone averaging 115, there’s very little you can do,” Humphries admitted. “I thought if I nicked that sixth leg I might have had a chance, but Luke was simply better tonight. When he plays like that, he’s virtually untouchable.”

Supporting Cast Impress

Away from the finalists, the night produced several standout performances. Chris Dobey’s quarter-final win over Stephen Bunting was one of the matches of the year, with both men averaging over 108. Dobey’s 110.36 average proved just enough to edge Bunting 6–3 in a high-quality contest.

Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price survived a thriller against Josh Rock in the last eight. The Welshman trailed 3–1 and faced a match dart before clawing his way back to snatch a 6–5 victory in front of a raucous crowd.

Road Ahead

With the World Series roadshow wrapped up for 2025, all eyes now turn to Amsterdam for the Jack’s World Series of Darts Finals, staged from September 12–14. Littler will arrive as defending champion, while Stephen Bunting tops the seedings after his earlier triumphs in Bahrain and Copenhagen.

For Littler, however, the focus remains on enjoying the ride. “I’m playing with confidence, I’m loving my darts, and I just want to keep this streak going,” he said after lifting the Auckland trophy.

The teenager’s mix of talent, temperament and fearless finishing has already made him the player to beat. With titles piling up at an astonishing rate, the “Nuke” looks set to continue rewriting the sport’s history books – and the rest of the darting world has been put firmly on notice.

Littler Dazzles in Auckland to Complete World Series Double

2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters

Saturday August 16

Quarter-Finals

Chris Dobey 6-3 Stephen Bunting

Luke Humphries 6-2 Damon Heta

Gerwyn Price 6-5 Josh Rock

Luke Littler 6-2 Mike De Decker

Semi-Finals

Luke Humphries 7-4 Chris Dobey

Luke Littler 7-2 Gerwyn Price

Final

Luke Littler 8-4 Luke Humphries