Humphries Claims US Darts Masters Title Amid American Upsets in New York

Luke Humphries secured a dramatic 8-6 victory over Nathan Aspinall in the 2025 US Darts Masters final, capping a weekend of shocks at Madison Square Garden.
US Players Shine on Home Soil
The tournament opened with major upsets as American qualifiers Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon toppled reigning champion Rob Cross and top seed Stephen Bunting.
Indiana-born Lauby delivered a stunning 6-0 whitewash of Cross. It was the most one-sided defeat of a defending champion in the event’s history, averaging 94 and sealing victory with an 11-dart leg.
Brandon eliminated world No. 4 Bunting 6-4 despite the Englishman’s spectacular 170 checkout. The Tennessee thrower declared it his “biggest win” after previously losing his Madison Square Garden debut in 2023.
The dual triumphs marked the first time two North American representatives progressed beyond the opening round since 2019.
Their momentum carried into Saturday. Lauby pushed world No. 2 Aspinall to a deciding leg in their semi-final clash. After trailing 5-3, Lauby leveled at 5-5 with a 121 checkout on the bull. Aspinall went on to seal the 6-5 win with a clinical 14-darter under pressure.
Brandon’s run ended in a 6-2 quarter-final loss to eventual champion Humphries. However, his 96.3 average demonstrated North America’s growing competitiveness.
Humphries’ Hard-Fought Triumph
World No. 1 Humphries navigated a challenging path to the title. He overcame American hopeful Lauby 6-2 in the quarter-finals. He then dismantled Welshman Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the semi-finals with five consecutive legs.
The final against Aspinall saw Humphries racing to a 3-0 lead. The 2019 champion mounted a fierce comeback, leveling at 5-5 with a bullseye finish. Humphries regained control with a show-stopping 142 checkout.
Humpries eventually sealed victory on double eight before 4,000 spectators, a North American darts attendance record.
“This is the most iconic venue that we play in and it’s really special to win this event. It’s one of the top venues in the world and it’s one I’ve always dreamed of winning. When I finally won it tonight, it was an amazing relief.”
Luke Humphries – US Darts Masters Winner
The £30,000 ($41,000) prize caps a dominant season for Humphries following Premier League and World Masters triumphs.
Aspinall’s runner-up finish featured standout performances, including a 6-4 quarter-final win over world champion Luke Littler, where both players averaged over 105.
Growing Legacy for Darts in the US
The tournament’s £100,000 ($137,000) prize fund reflected its growing prestige, with semi-finalists receiving £10,000 ($13,700) and quarter-finalists earning £5,000 ($6,850).
The concurrent North American Championship saw Canadian Matt Campbell claim the regional title, securing World Championship and Grand Slam qualification spots.
Organizers noted the event’s role in expanding darts’ North American footprint, with crowds increasingly dominated by local fans rather than expatriates.
The PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) reported a 38% increase in North American participants across qualifying events compared to 2024. It also plans to add a third Canadian tour stop in 2026.
The 2025 World Series of Darts now moves to Poland, Australia, and New Zealand. For North American darts, however, the legacy of Lauby and Brandon’s breakthroughs promises to resonate through local leagues for years to come.