Luke Humphries is relishing the opportunity to qualify for the Premier League darts final, with three nights left until the headline event at the O2.
Despite a disappointing season to date, Humphries’ strong showing at Aberdeen saw him reach tonight’s final, with the reigning champion just two points behind Michael van Gerwen in the qualification spots.
The current world No. 2 has a full range of emotions as he gets the chance to restart his campaign in front of a partisan crowd in Leeds on Thursday.
Leeds United fan Humphries said: “I’m confident and there’s some pressure, but I’m looking forward to it.”
“This is a scenario I have never experienced in the Premier League.
“It’s not going to be easy to qualify every year. It’s not going to work out. Sometimes you have to find something deep and some years it doesn’t go your way. You have to understand that.
“I’m one of those players who understands that if I don’t qualify, it’s not going to derail my career. It doesn’t define you.”
“I have to accept that it wasn’t my year and I didn’t play my best darts. So there’s a lot going on. There was excitement, a bit of pressure and also some adrenaline that I was looking forward to. I can’t wait to get cracking.”
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Highlights of Luke Littler vs. Luke Humphries in the Premier League Week 13 final held in Aberdeen.
Humphries is excited about the opportunity he’s gotten, but he hasn’t forgotten the expectations that came with winning last year’s title.
“I think it’s probably going to be more impressive than last year, because by the 13th night we had already qualified. It’s always nice to play the last three weeks without putting stress on your shoulders.”
“Of course, even if I qualify, I will be the reigning champion so I will feel like the pressure is on my shoulders to keep winning.
“I don’t want to be the reigning champion, or at least not try to defend the title.”
“I want to watch some of the drama on the final day.”
Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge and Matt Edgar predicted Humphries would “surge in the second half”.
“He fulfilled his requirements by reaching the final that night in Aberdeen,” Edgar said. “Over the years and recently, has Luke Humphries ever let us down? The answer has been no. He has never let us down in those situations. So there is no reason other than in the short term of a few weeks to suggest that Luke Humphries is not going to deliver at Aberdeen, and he has.”
“And looking ahead, you’d think he’s going to have another big night in a similar situation this week. Is he going to let us down? I don’t think he will.”
Edgar pointed out that statistics suggest Humphries should be performing better than usual.
“He’s playing at a good standard, just a few important doubles here and there, but that’s just worrying about the odd dart or two, but then are we saying ‘that’s the Premier League’? That’s the difference between players. One or two darts! I don’t understand why he’s in this position.”
Bridge added: “I don’t necessarily think he’s going to get beat up, but he’s got that experience. We want to see a little bit of drama on the final day.”
Mark Webster said: “I think Humphries is going to win every night at some point and with Leeds, he might even win this week.” Van Gerwen could face Humphries in Sheffield, with less than five points separating them. I hope Michael will persevere. ”
‘Humphries comes back to life at Leeds’
Former Lakeside world champion Webster continued: “Humphries is really reliable and he rarely puts in a bad performance, even in defeat. He’s played well this Premier League so I think that will frustrate him. But he’ll still quietly believe he can still make the play-offs. It’s only his third season in the Premier League, but he finished runners-up and won last year, so as the defending champions he’ll be expected to at least make the play-offs.
“He’ll be kicking himself because he’s going to regret a few weeks of missing points. He’ll feel like he needs at least 10 more points, but he still has a chance. Seeing how he’s playing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes in the top four. Mike will keep him at arm’s length.”
Regarding Humphries’ possible return home on Thursday, Webster added: “Statistically, it’s an easy road for him. Of course there are still some tough games, but on a league basis I expect Humphries to beat Josh Locke and win the semi-final. If he can get some important extra points, we’ll have him waiting for us in the final.”
“It’s not just a couple of extra points. With the win on the night, we’ve got a spring of sorts with Birmingham and Sheffield remaining in the final push. But this is a big chance for Luke. He came alive at Leeds but, as we said, time is running out.”
What’s happening on Leeds’ Premier League night 14
The 2026 BetMGM Premier League season continues in Leeds, with Humphries aiming for his third successive win at the First Direct Arena.
The reigning champions will face Josh Lock in the quarter-finals, with league leader Luke Littler starting his latest night’s clash with Van Gerwen.
Gerwyn Price and Johnny Clayton will face off against each other Welshmen in next week’s opening match, while Jan van Veen and Stephen Bunting will also be battling it out for a place in the semi-finals.
Ranking points will be awarded each night, with five awarded to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists, forming a league table where the top four players will advance to the final night at the O2 in London on Thursday 28th May.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the match every Thursday on Sky Sports until May. Stream darts and other top sports now.
