Luke Humphries lands first Premier League Darts weekly title of 2026 to clinch play-off spot
Luke Humphries secured a place in the 2026 Premier League Darts play-offs in dream fashion by winning his first weekly title of the season in Birmingham on Thursday.
The defending champion turned on the style to triumph at the Utilita Arena, defeating Stephen Bunting, Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price to seal his spot at The O2 later this month.
Having reached back-to-back finals in Aberdeen and Leeds, Humphries arrived in Birmingham in fourth spot, and he continued his resurgence by claiming maximum points on the penultimate night of league action.
The world number two opened up with a 6-0 whitewash of Bunting, averaging 107.3 to set up a showdown against his recent nemesis Littler in the semi-finals.
Humphries reeled off six consecutive legs from 3-0 down to oust Littler, averaging 111 to end his four-match losing streak against the World Champion.
This set up a crucial clash against Price in the final, and after the opening two legs were shared, Humphries claimed three straight legs in 12, 13 and 15 darts to surge into a 4-1 lead.
Price responded with a three-leg burst – sparked by a 130 checkout in leg six – to level at four apiece, only for Humphries to follow up a 12-darter with a clinical 117 finish to cap off a perfect night.
“I’m just proud of myself for battling through,” insisted Humphries, who found himself in seventh position a month ago.
“It’s just not been the best from me this year. I’ve worked incredibly hard over the last three weeks.
“It shows true grit when you can come back from that position that I was in. I’m looking at the table now and I was five points behind.
“I’m just incredibly proud of myself, probably the most proud of myself I’ve ever been in my life.
“I believed in myself over the last few weeks and that’s what matters. It would have hurt me a lot [if I didn’t make the Play-Offs].”
Despite missing out on a third nightly title of the campaign, Price’s run to the final ensures he will also feature at Finals Night for the second successive year.
The 2023 runner-up fired in eight 180s en route to victory over seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals, averaging 101 in a 6-4 success.
Price then saw off Van Gerwen’s compatriot Gian van Veen by the same scoreline in the semis, converting 66 per cent of his attempts at doubles en route to overturning a 4-3 deficit.
Van Veen averaged 102 in accounting for Josh Rock 6-3 in Thursday’s opener, though Humphries’ exploits in Birmingham have ended the Dutchman’s hopes of a top four finish in his debut campaign.
In the evening’s other quarter-final, Littler confirmed top spot for a third consecutive Premier League campaign, whitewashing his closest challenger Jonny Clayton inside ten minutes.
Former champion Clayton is now assured of a second-place finish, while Price and Humphries will battle it out for third spot on the final night of league phase action in Sheffield.
Premier League Darts 2026 Night 15 Results
Thursday May 14
Quarter-Finals
Josh Rock 3-6 Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries 6-0 Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton 0-6 Luke Littler
Semi-Finals
Gian van Veen 4-6 Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries 6-3 Luke Littler
Final
Luke Humphries 6-4 Gerwyn Price
