Gerwyn Price clinched his first nightly title of the 2025 Premier League Darts season on February 20, showcasing his skills and determination at the 3Arena in Dublin. The Welshman triumphed over Luke Littler, the defending champion, as well as Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall to secure the top spot on Night Three.
Price's run began with his quarter-final matchup against 2024 champion Littler, where he dazzled the crowd with impressive averages and brilliant finishing. Price defeated Littler 6-4, maintaining his excellent record against the young star, who was not able to recover from being down 4-1 at one point. Despite Littler's attempt at a comeback, it was not enough to stop Price, who averaged 102 and during the match demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure.
Price reflected on his performance, stating, "It was a great night for me. I’m not sure what it is, but Luke Littler seems to bring the best out of me, so it was a great game to come through." This victory propelled Price confidently onward, as he went on to face Humphries and then Aspinall, winning both encounters to earn the nightly title with another 6-3 victory.
While Price celebrated, Littler faced his frustrations, exiting the tournament earlier than expected. The 18-year-old had high hopes following his previous victory but struggled on this occasion, especially after losing to Price. Emotion took hold as he stormed off the stage, and Sky Sports cameras captured him tossing his darts case down the stairs, marking one of the rare moments of visible frustration from the usually composed champion. Post-match, Littler took to Instagram to share his disappointment with his fans, stating, "Not the way I wanted to follow up the win last week but loads more darts to play starting with Premier League and UK Open next week."
The crowd dynamics also played a role during this event, as Littler expressed his concerns over some unruly fan behavior, leading to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) issuing statements about crowd conduct. Littler was particularly vocal about the distractions he faced, saying, "There were a few in particularly who were doing it when Luke [Humphries] was throwing," referring to crowd interference during play.
Gerwyn Price, meanwhile, offered his own perspective on crowd reactions. Despite the disturbances experienced by Littler, Price stated, "For me it was amazing but I guess to the likes of Luke Littler today probably say different. I get crowd reactions like this everywhere I go for the last six years," highlighting the dual narratives present during the evening's matches.
The Premier League Darts format plays out over 17 nights, with players hoping to accumulate points to qualify for the Finals Night hosted at The O2 arena. The event structure includes quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, where players earn different points based on their performances. Night Three saw Price adding five more points to his seasonal total, moving him up to second place behind Humphries, who leads the table.
The overall experience for spectators and players alike at the 3Arena made bubbling tensions palpable as fans rallied behind their favorites. This marked three nights of the premier league, with three different winners, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of the tournament.
Looking forward, the Premier League Darts continues next Thursday, with the action moving to Exeter for Night Four. Players such as Littler and Price will be preparing for the tournament, eager to build on their successes and learn from their setbacks. With three nights done and many to go, the anticipation for future matches continues to rise as fans and players alike prepare for the next chapter of the 2025 BetMGM Premier League Darts.