“I’m going to win the Worlds” - Luke Humphries declares war on Luke Littler after third straight final loss at Grand Slam of Darts 2025
PDCMonday, 17 November 2025 at 10:00
Luke Humphries says he is “proud” of his Grand Slam of Darts campaign and insists he will come back stronger at the World Championship, despite falling 16–11 to Luke Littler in a high-quality 2025 final in Wolverhampton. The defeat means Littler not only claims the title but also replaces Humphries as world number one.
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The final served up elite scoring and relentless pressure, but Littler’s surge in the closing stages proved decisive. Even so, Humphries’ response after the match underlined a player nowhere near done with winning majors.
Humphries praises Littler but promises a response at Ally Pally
Reflecting on his third consecutive televised major final defeat, Humphries chose resilience over frustration. "Of course I'm really proud, but that's three finals on the trot I've lost," he admitted with a wry smile to Sky Sports.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed to lose the last three finals, but I'm playing good," 'Cool Hand Luke added. "The tiredness just crept in at the end there. It could have 10-10, but that tiredness crept in."
“I’m going to win the Worlds”
Despite Littler’s current dominance, Humphries made it clear he has no intention of letting the 18-year-old run away with the biggest prize of all. “I am ready for the Worlds now. I am going to win the Worlds,” Humphries said. “I am declaring war."
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“One game a day suits me. We are going to go to war," Humphries insisted with a smile. "World Championships, me and him in a final. We are going to see who is the number one there.”
It was a bold, headline-grabbing declaration that immediately set the tone for the biggest tournament of the year.
Focus turns to the 2025/26 World Darts Championship
Humphries’ form throughout the Grand Slam, coupled with his public determination to strike back, ensures he remains one of the standout contenders heading into Ally Pally. His hunger for success is clearly undimmed, and his rivalry with Littler is becoming the defining storyline of the season.
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The World Championship begins on 11 December and finishes on 3 January, with 128 players competing at Alexandra Palace for the first time.
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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- You know,I said this,in a sentence,not 5 paragraphs!!rick6721-09-2026
- Oh dear,he lost. Well any competitive sport runs the risk of defeat. He is, currently,his own worst enemy. Wind the crowd up,and you get it back bigger. Put your dummy in kidrick6721-09-2026
- Does an exhibition count in the clean sweep though?BandB21-09-2026
- Played great in the final. Makes a mockery of the event when he qualified by losing all of his tour matchesBandB21-09-2026
- He isn't,and won't be the last player to get whistled or booed at. The problem I noticed,is that he winds them up,and give him back,and he doesn't like it. If you can't take it,don't give itrick6720-09-2026
- I hope Phil doesn't return. Watching him the seniors was embarrassing,and he should bow out,and let everyone remember what a legend he is.rick6716-09-2026
- What a nice comment by Wade. Top bloke.BandB15-09-2026
- He wasn't "offered £501,000 to face Luke Littler". He was allowed to audition for the chance. That's not the same. Literally like saying I was offered a no.1 single, when actually I decided not to attend an open casting for the X factor.BandB13-09-2026
- I loved Jan and loved his walk on music "Explode" by Jordan & Baker. I think if he stuck around the BDO he definitely would have been World Champion, should have won in 2014, he never really showed any of his talent in the PDC. I remembered he worked in a bank or in finance and maybe that was his priority, he was also a fan and interested in magic. Definitely should have achieved much more in darts than he did. Wherever you are nowadays Jan, hope all is well and I was always a fan.richieburnettrocks11-09-2026
- Not much of a tournament really,is it? Now they've all pulled out,it's open for everyone. I'm sure if you bought tickets,you'd be disappointed. Doesn't that seem to bother the withdrawals? Not at all!!rick6710-09-2026
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