Premier League Darts results: Luke Humphries beats Chris Dobey for Belfast win, Luke Littler loses

World number one Luke Humphries thrashed Chris Dobey 6-1 to win the 2025 Premier League’s opening night in Belfast but insisted Luke Littler was the best player in the world.

Humphries, who lifted the World Masters title on Sunday, boasted an 86% success rate on his doubles and three 100-plus checkouts in the all-English encounter.

He had trailed 4-3 in his semi-final against Michael van Gerwen, but won a deciding leg to progress after the Dutchman faltered on his doubles and missed a match dart at bullseye.

“I think this is the hardest Premier League for a long, long time. For me, nights like this, you’ve got to be careful or they might not happen as often as you want,” said Humphries.

Van Gerwen earlier triumphed 6-5 in a breathtaking quarter-final against world champion Luke Littler, who averaged 113.91 – the highest average at the venue and the second-highest losing mark in the competition’s history.

“He’s by far one of the greatest darts players I’ve seen in my career,” said Humphries, who beat Littler to win the world title in 2024.

“I’m not disrespecting myself, I just think he’s the best player in the world and if he goes out, then I’m the man to beat. But he is definitely the one to beat.”

Dobey was also 4-3 down in the semis, but hit a ‘big fish’ 170 checkout to level against 2018 world champion Rob Cross as he reeled off three straight legs to win.