Michael van Gerwen ended his two-year wait for a PDC Premier title with a record-extending sixth World Series of Darts Finals triumph in Amsterdam on Sunday.

The Dutch icon returned to the winner’s circle on a memorable night at AFAS Live, defeating his great rival Luke Littler in a thrilling final to continue his remarkable record at this event.

Van Gerwen also lifted the World Series of Darts Finals title from 2015-2017 and in 2019 and 2023 – with his most recent success representing his last victory in a PDC Premier Event.

Having survived match darts in dramatic deciding-leg wins over Wessel Nijman and Rob Cross to reach Finals Day, Van Gerwen stormed to victory with a trio of spectacular performances in front of an adoring home crowd.

The three-time World Champion was inspired on Dutch soil, overcoming Luke Humphries, Josh Rock and Littler to pocket the £80,000 top prize.

The Dutchman averaged 106 to dispatch world number one Humphries in the last eight, before winning six of the last seven legs to complete a resounding 11-6 win over Rock in the semi-finals.

This set up a blockbuster showdown against Littler in a repeat of January’s World Championship decider, with Van Gerwen running out an 11-7 winner to cap off a terrific weekend.

“I have goosebumps - it’s amazing to hold a trophy again,” reflected an emotional Van Gerwen, who celebrated the win on stage with his daughter Zoe.

“Everyone knows I’ve had a difficult time in the last few months, but to win in front of my home crowd means a lot to me.

“I was playing some fantastic darts, and that gives you energy, that gives you joy, and I’m really glad I could perform like this. It means the world to me.

“I had to dig really deep to do this. I still love what I do, and hopefully this is the beginning of a bright future for me.”

Van Gerwen defied a rip-roaring start from Littler to seize the early initiative in Sunday’s showpiece, only for the 18-year-old to draw level at three apiece with a ten-darter in leg six.

The Dutchman responded with a three-leg burst – aided by an 11-dart break in leg eight – to surge into a 6-3 lead, but the pendulum swung once again when Van Gerwen squandered darts for a 7-3 cushion.

Littler produced an 11-darter of his own to restore parity at 6-6, yet an unflappable Van Gerwen restored his three-leg buffer to leave Littler staring down the barrel.

Roared on by the Dutch support, Van Gerwen then pinned double five to move a leg away from glory at 10-7, before landing the same target to seal the deal with a sensational 130 checkout.

Littler was bidding to retain a PDC Premier title for the first time in his career, although he was unable to topple an impenetrable Van Gerwen in the Dutch capital.

The World Champion won through a series of gruelling battles across the weekend, following up a brace of 6-4 victories against Simon Whitlock and Jonny Clayton with an epic quarter-final win against Ross Smith.

The teenage wonderkid averaged 107 and landed ten 180s to wrap up a memorable 10-8 success, defying a 106 average from former European Champion Smith to win through a classic.

This was followed by a dramatic deciding-leg victory over two-time champion Gerwyn Price, as he capitalised on profligacy from the Welshman in the latter stages to overturn a 9-5 deficit.

“It was another good tournament for myself,” reflected Littler, who was full of praise for Van Gerwen post-match.

“Michael was playing some of his best darts this weekend.

“It’s good to see him back. He’s had a tough time, but if he keeps playing like that, we’re going to have some great battles.”

Price followed up his comeback win over Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld in the second round with another impressive fightback against Chris Dobey in the quarter-finals, recovering from 6-4 down to join Rock in the last four.

The Northern Irishman had defeated World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker 10-6 in Sunday’s opening quarter-final, having also whitewashed Dutch number two Danny Noppert in round two.

2025 World Series of Darts Finals
Sunday September 14
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Josh Rock 10-6 Mike De Decker
Michael van Gerwen 10-5 Luke Humphries
Luke Littler 10-8 Ross Smith
Gerwyn Price 10-8 Chris Dobey

Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 11-6 Josh Rock
Luke Littler 11-10 Gerwyn Price

Final
Michael van Gerwen 11-7 Luke Littler