Madison Square Garden Gets Invaded by Darts: Littler's Back and Cross is Defending His Crown

By Lewis Barnett 23 June, 2025 4 mins read 64 Views

Honestly? I'm still buzzing about what happened last year.

Rob Cross squeezed out that nail-biting 8-7 victory over Gerwyn Price at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, and I swear half the crowd looked like they needed CPR by the end of it. Cross himself admitted he was "very grateful" – which is probably the most British way to say "holy crap, I can't believe I just pulled that off" after beating van Gerwen AND Luke Humphries on his way to the title.

But here's the thing. This year's lineup is absolutely stacked, and Cross is going to have his work cut out for him if he wants to keep that US Darts Masters crown. We're talking about Luke Littler making his Madison Square Garden debut (the kid's probably more excited than a tourist with a MetroCard), plus all the usual suspects who can throw tungsten like it's nobody's business.

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When Does This Chaos Unfold?

Mark your calendars: Friday, June 27 through Saturday, June 28. Two days of pure darting madness at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The format's pretty straightforward – first round and quarters are best of 11 legs, semis bump up to best of 13, and the final goes best of 15. Nothing too crazy there, just enough legs to separate the pretenders from the contenders.

How to Watch Without Breaking the Bank

Good news for UK fans: ITV4 is broadcasting the whole thing live and free (assuming you've got that TV license sorted – don't shoot the messenger). You can also stream it on ITV X without spending a penny.

PDCTV subscribers get their usual access, and we'll be running live coverage with leg-by-leg updates because... well, someone's got to keep track of all the madness.

Poor Americans might have to get creative with their viewing options.

The Magnificent 16

The PDC sent their A-team: Humphries, Littler, van Gerwen, Bunting, Cross, Price, Heta, and Aspinall. That's basically a who's who of "people who can make you look stupid at darts."

Then you've got the North American contingent – eight players including Matt Campbell and Jim Long from Canada, plus six Americans led by Danny Lauby. These guys are playing on home soil (well, close enough), so don't expect them to just roll over and play nice.

Littler's participation is particularly interesting after that shocking early World Cup exit with Humphries. The kid's probably been practicing non-stop, and honestly? I wouldn't bet against him making some serious noise in New York.

What Actually Happens When

Friday kicks off with the first round – eight matches that'll determine who's got their A-game and who packed their B-game by mistake.

Saturday's where things get spicy: quarters, semis, and the final all packed into one day. By the time we crown a champion, half the field will be wondering what hit them and the other half will be booking their flights home.

Cross knows he's got a target on his back. Everyone else knows this is their chance to grab a World Series title at one of the most iconic venues in sports.

Should be fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

Statistics

The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.

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Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.