"I think we have played each other 27 times in two years": Luke Humphries admits Luke Littler rivalry is losing its edge

Luke Humphries fears his much-discussed rivalry with Luke Littler is losing its edge due to the sheer number of meetings, especially in the Premier League Darts. According to “Cool Hand Luke”, the magic of their matchups risks fading now that they face each other almost weekly.

Last week the two rivals met again in the quarterfinals on Night 2 of the Premier League Darts 2026. It turned into a thriller in Antwerp that Littler edged 6-5 after Humphries missed three match darts. It was already their 28th meeting in barely two years – an impressive tally that underlines their dominance, while also raising questions about the exclusivity of their clash.

The rivalry between Humphries and Littler has become the standout matchup in modern darts since 2024. They have met no fewer than seven times in major finals. Littler came out on top four times, while Humphries claimed three titles. Their head-to-heads were often finals or semifinals at majors, which only increased the tension and prestige.

Yet Humphries notices the intensity feels different when they meet in the Premier League Darts.

“I think it has been watered down a little bit. I think we have played each other 27 times in two years, which is a lot. It is a lot.

“Most of the time it is due to the fact that we have been meeting in the later rounds because we are the best players. The Premier League dilutes it a little bit more. When we play in the Premier League, people don’t really care as much."

According to the Englishman, the difference lies mainly in the context. A major final – think World Matchplay or a World Championship – carries a totally different weight than a regular league night. “But when we play in a major final like the Matchplay, then it is more exciting because they are big tournaments. It is not just for a league or a nightly win."

Humphries puts the situation in a broader perspective. He points out that in other sports, too, top players meet more often due to crowded calendars. He cited the example of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who regularly face each other in big tennis events.

“I think you are finding in lots of sports — look at [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz — they play each other a lot. It’s also because there are more tournaments as well.

“In the old days there were 10 or 12 tournaments, really. Now we play so much with the ProTour, Europeans, Premier League and majors.

“It is going to happen to everybody. It is just the way it is with the format. Maybe it will change in the future.”

That packed schedule is, according to Humphries, a logical consequence of the sport’s growth. More tournaments mean more prize money, more playing opportunities and more exposure. But it also makes top matchups less rare.

Strikingly, Humphries is statistically thriving in the Premier League Darts. With an average of 101.31, he registers the overall average of the entire field. Yet he sits only sixth in the table, which shows how small the margins are at the very top.

This Thursday, on Night 3 in Glasgow, Humphries faces Northern Irishman Josh Rock, who remains on zero points after two nights.