MBE honour for Luke Humphries & Luke Littler as darts stars recognised in King’s Birthday List

Two of the biggest names in darts have received one of the country’s highest honours. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have been awarded MBEs (Members of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, in recognition of their remarkable impact on the sport.

The timing couldn’t be more fitting, as the pair prepare to represent England together this weekend at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. While they’re set to wear the same shirt on stage, their individual journeys have been nothing short of extraordinary – reshaping the landscape of modern darts and inspiring a new generation of fans.

Now 30, Luke Humphries first emerged as a rising star in 2019, when he won the PDC World Youth Championship. But it was in 2023 that he truly made the leap to the sport’s elite, capturing his maiden major title at the World Grand Prix.

Since then, he’s barely looked back – going on to win the World Championship, reach world number one, claim the World Cup of Darts, and most recently lift the Premier League trophy.

"I'm extremely honoured and delighted to be receiving an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for services to darts," said Humphries. "To be recognised by the King for what I have achieved, and also for my contribution to playing in and promoting the sport that I love, is something that I never thought possible, but I'm very grateful that it has become a reality."

"I have enjoyed the highest of highs in darts in becoming world number one and winning the biggest tournaments that the game has to offer, but to be awarded the MBE will rank alongside any of those achievements," continued the world number one. "I have to give a massive thanks to my fiancée Kayley, and my family, particularly my mum and dad, who have been a constant source of support over the years and helped make me the person that I am today."

"To say that I'm looking forward to visiting Buckingham Palace is an understatement. To receive the MBE there with my family with me is something that I'll cherish for the rest of my life," Humphries concludes. "I'll continue to be a good ambassador for darts, and help pave the way for future generations to be involved and succeed in a sport that has given so much to me."

If there’s one player who’s turned the darts world on its head in record time, it’s Luke Littler. Bursting onto the scene at just 16 years old, the Warrington wonderkid reached the 2024 World Championship final on his debut, only losing out to Humphries.

But that run was just the beginning. Littler has since gone on to win the Premier League, claim the Grand Slam of Darts, and earlier this year, become World Champion at just 17 years of age. Now, he adds an MBE to his growing list of accolades.

"This is an amazing and unexpected honour but one which I am very grateful for," said Littler. "To receive a recognition like this is something I had never thought would be possible, and it is a proud moment. It's unbelievable what I've done for my sport; I'm happy, my family is happy and I can't wait to receive it."

Despite being rivals on the oche, Littler made a point of congratulating his England teammate ahead of the weekend. "Congratulations to Luke Humphries on receiving an MBE too - he's a fantastic ambassador for darts, and although he's a rival, I can't wait to partner him in the World Cup this weekend."

With their MBEs, Humphries and Littler join a prestigious list of British darts stars previously honoured for their contributions to the sport, including Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Trina Gulliver, Keith Deller, and Fallon Sherrock.

Internationally, players like Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen have received similar recognition in the Netherlands, being named Knights of the Order of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch equivalent of an MBE.