Luke Humphries became the first player to retain the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden, edging Luke Littler 8-7 in a deciding leg. The 31‑year‑old posted a 104 average, while the 19‑year‑old pushed the champion to the limit on a record‑breaking night that saw 5,000 fans fill the arena, the largest US darts crowd ever, in a pressure‑filled atmosphere.

Both players had partnered England to win the World Cup earlier in the month, reigniting their rivalry in front of a sell‑out crowd. Humphries raced to a 4‑1 lead, Littler clawed back to 4‑4, then Humphries secured four straight legs to clinch the title, delivering his third World Series crown, as the crowd roared with each dart.

Humphries’ victory caps a weekend that also included wins over Stephen Bunting and Gian van Veen, both secured after surviving match darts. Littler, despite a stellar 102+ average en route to his first final, fell short. The win cements Humphries as the leading force on the World Series circuit heading into the August events in New Zealand and Australia, reinforces his bid for the top ranking.