Luke Humphries says his World Grand Prix triumph has him feeling ready to win a second world championship – and hopes to face Luke Littler in the final.
Humphries won his 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 two-start competition, sealing an 11-game victory, breaking his opponents to 10 to reach the ninth set.
‘Cool Hand’ beat Littler to win the 2024 World Championship and last year’s Premier League, but has lost his last four grand finals against ‘The Nuke’, including the 2025 World Grand Prx.
Humphries, who played four days in a row in Leicester last week, says the set-play win has given him confidence ahead of the similar format at Alexandra Palace from December 11. Sky Sports.
The world number 2 said Sky Sports: “Four days on the trot is tough, but I’ve done it so many times before. I know at Worlds you have three grueling days – quarters, semis, finals.
“Now I’ve got that big tournament, it’s going to put me in a good frame of mind to go on and win the World Championship again.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Humphries’ 105 to deny Price a 4-0 lead in the final proved decisive in Leicester
“My goal now is to make the World Final and play (Littler) again in it and let’s see what can happen. Real darts fans know I’m still here and capable of winning things.”
“I’ve come very close to beating Luke in a few championships in the last six to eight months and I think he’s enjoying the battle too.
“He deserves credit for what he’s done in the sport. He’s one of my closest friends on tour. I know a lot of people don’t like that, but I love him because he’s such a great kid.
“He’s great for the sport and the hate he gets is unfair.”
“If I’m in this game for another 15, 20 years, how much more can I make?
Humphries now has nine major PDC trophies, putting him fifth on the all-time list behind only Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, reigning world champion Littler and James Wade.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Humphries won the ninth set against Price with a 10-dart shot
“Nine grand titles and two World Cups is crazy and it’s done in such a short space of time too – three years to the day,” said Humphries, whose major came at the 2023 World Grand Prix when he also beat Price in the final.
“If I’m in this game another 15, 20 years, how much more can I make?
“It’s not just one player winning everything. There are so many opportunities now, so many big tournaments. It’s great for my confidence and hopefully I can get another big one this year.
“I’m here and I’m still going to win some things. These last four games (against Price), I don’t think anybody was going to stop me. I felt so focused, so determined.
“After three or four months of not playing your best, people discredit you and think, ‘he’s done, he’s not going to win anything’, but I always seem to come back and come out with a tournament or a big final.”
Humphries joked that “Harry Potter did well” after winning the World Grand Prix
Humphries had a scab on his head during the World Grand Prix, which he attributed to an allergic reaction to make-up applied while filming for the TV show Bullseye.
The 31-year-old joked “Harry Potter did well, didn’t he?!” when speaking on stage after defeating Price and was later added Sky Sports: “It’s been a big story of the week.
“I think I’m fine, but maybe it’s infected or something, so I’ll fix it.”
What’s next?
The European Tour season continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy (9-11 October) and the Dutch Darts Championship (16-18 October) before the European Championships take place in Dortmund, Germany from 22-25 October.
Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) both live. Stream streaming arrows and more through NOW with no contract.
