Luke Humphries hoping to face Luke Littler in World Championship final after ending major drought at World Grand Prix

Luke Humphries says his World Grand Prix triumph has left him feeling ready to win a second World Championship – and hopes to face Luke Littler in the final.

Humphries landed a first major title since the 2025 Premier League as he recovered from 3-0 down to beat Gerwyn Price 6-4 in the final of the double-start event, sealing victory with an 11-darter having broken his opponents in 10 to clinch the ninth set.

‘Cool Hand’ defeated Littler to win the 2024 World Championship and last year’s Premier League but has lost his last four major finals against ‘The Nuke’, including at the 2025 World Grand Prx.

Humphries, who played four days in a row in Leicester last week, says winning in set-play has given him confidence ahead of the similar format at Alexandra Palace from December 11, live on Sky Sports.

The world No 2 told Sky Sports: “Four days on the trot is hard but I have done it so many times before. I know in the Worlds you have three gruelling days – quarters, semis, final.

“Now I have got that major tournament, it is going to put me in a good frame of mind that I can go on and win the World Championship again.

“My goal now is to make the World final and play [Littler] in it again and let’s see what can happen. The real fans of darts know I am still here and capable of winning stuff.

“I have come so close to beating Luke in some majors in the last six to eight months and I think he enjoys the battle as well.

“He deserves credit for what he has done in the sport. He is one of my closest friends on tour. I know a lot of people don’t like that but I do because he is such a great kid.

“He is amazing for the sport and the hate he gets is unjust.”

‘If I am in this game for another 15, 20 years, how much more can I win?

Humphries now has nine PDC major trophies, placing him outright fifth on the all-time list, behind only Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, reigning world champion Littler and James Wade.

“Nine major titles and two World Cups is insane and it’s been done in such a short space of time as well – three years to the day,” said Humphries, whose maiden major came at the 2023 World Grand Prix when he also beat Price in the final.

“If I am in this game for another 15, 20 years, how much more can I win?

“It’s not just one player winning everything. There are so many opportunities now, so many major tournaments. This is great for my confidence and hopefully I can pick up another big one this year.

“I am here and I’m still going to win some stuff. Those last four legs [against Price], I don’t think anyone would have stopped me. I felt so focused, so determined.

“After three or four months of not playing your best, people discredit you and think, ‘he is finished, he won’t win anything’ but I always seem to bounce back and pop up with a major tournament or final.”

Humphries sported a scab on his head during the World Grand Prix, which he attributed to an allergic reaction to make-up applied during filming for TV show bullseye.

The 31-year-old joked ‘Harry Potter did well, didn’t he?!’ when speaking on stage after beating Price and later added to Sky Sports: “It has been a big story of the week.

“I think I am alright but maybe it got infected or something so I will get that sorted.”

What’s next?

The European Tour season continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy (October 9-11) and the Dutch Darts Championship (October 16-18) before the European Championship takes place in Dortmund, Germany from October 22-25.

Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) both live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.

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