No one matches Littler: staggering 115.02 still the highest average at World Series event in New Zealand

The New Zealand Darts Masters is on the agenda for this coming weekend, a tournament that brings back fond memories for Luke Littler. The young Englishman recorded a phenomenal three-dart average of 115.02 in the 2025 final against Luke Humphries. That puts Littler not only at the top of the list for highest averages at the prestigious World Series event, but also set a new record for a World Series final.

In the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters final, Littler defeated Humphries 8-4, as the latter aimed to defend his Auckland title. The reigning world champion started ferociously and raced into a 3-0 lead. Humphries pulled it back to 3-2, but Littler then shifted up another gear. He took three legs on the spin to lead 6-2 before sealing the title 8-4. With two consecutive 11-darters among his highlights, he showed exactly why his average was so exceptionally high.

Littler’s achievement is all the more striking given his labored opener against Mark Cleaver. Against the New Zealander, “The Nuke” managed only a 95.60 average. The level rose sharply thereafter. He posted 100.03 in the quarterfinal against Mike De Decker, then hit 108.81 versus Gerwyn Price in the semifinal. Littler won that semifinal convincingly, 7-2.

Littler now occupies three spots on the list of highest averages ever at the New Zealand Darts Masters. His 115.02 from the 2025 final leads the way, while his 108.81 from the semifinal also secures a top-five place. A third entry for Littler isn’t even needed to underline his dominance in Auckland: no other player produced elite-level displays as often at this tournament.

Behind Littler is Gary Anderson with a 111.37 average from the 2016 semifinal. Chris Dobey sits third thanks to his 110.36 in the 2025 quarterfinal against Stephen Bunting. That match was also of exceptional quality: Dobey won 6-3 despite Bunting averaging a whopping 108.00.

Nathan Aspinall, Phil Taylor, and Michael Smith also feature in the historic top ten. Aspinall averaged 110.22 in the 2023 semifinal, while Taylor posted 107.57 and 107.37 in 2016 and 2015 respectively. Smith hit 107.45 in the 2023 semifinal. Gary Anderson rounds out the top ten with his 106.61 from the last 16 in 2016.

The New Zealand Darts Masters 2026 takes place this year on 14/08/2026 and 15/08/2026. The venue is Spark Arena in Auckland. From a Dutch perspective, the focus will be on the performances of Gian van Veen.