HUMPHRIES READY FOR SAUDI DARTS PAYDAY!
07/10/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
LUKE HUMPHRIES admits he’s all for darts heading to Saudi Arabia if it comes with a bumper payday.
‘Cool Hand’ dispatched Nathan Aspinall 2-0 in the first round of the World Grand Prix after averaging 87.64 and hitting two ton-plus checkouts, including a stunning 156 finish, to seal his spot in the last 16.
World No. 1 Humphries has backed the PDC’s decision to host a World Series Event in Saudi Arabia on January 19-20 of 2026.
Humphries believes global expansion and bigger prize funds can only benefit the sport.
He said: “Honestly, I couldn’t care, to be honest. Whatever he wants to do is fine — as long as he pays as well as he does for the snooker and boxing.
“This is my job, and I think it’s good for the sport. We’re trying to grow darts globally, and Saudi Arabia seems to be a hotspot now — boxing’s there, snooker’s there, and now darts.
“I don’t have much input — if I’m picked, I’ll be there. Whether it’s Saudi, Japan, South Africa, or Australia — I’ll go.
“We’ll see what happens in January. If it’s a success, great. If not, we’ll move on. But hopefully there’s a million pounds for the winner!
“Honestly, I didn’t really have a thought on it until a couple of days ago when it came out.
“I’m just a dart player — if I’m asked or invited to play, that’s what I’ll do. Wherever the PDC takes it, I’ll go.”
Former world champ Humphries revealed he had “neglected” practice following his Premier League triumph but says he’s now rediscovered his hunger.
He added: “Yeah, honestly, I do. After the Premier League, I kind of neglected my practice. There were gaps in the calendar and even if it was just three or four days, I wasn’t practising.
“You start to feel comfortable that your game’s in a good place, so maybe you don’t try as hard.
“But in the last three, four, five weeks, I’ve been playing all the time — exhibitions, matches — and that keeps you sharp.
“When I’m playing regularly, I’m dangerous. I think I’ve made the right decision. I’ve been working hard, playing constantly, and that’s when I’m at my best.”
Humphries returns to action on Wednesday in Leicester and will face Krzysztof Ratajski.
