Thousands of England fans packed Madison Square Garden for the US Darts Masters, with Luke Humphries and Luke Littler among the headline names in action—just days before the Three Lions face Panama at MetLife Stadium.
When the day’s darts draw started unfolding at Madison Square Garden. England didn’t just bring its team talk to New York—it brought its shirts. its noise. and its timing. Thousands filtered into the Infosys Theater across Thursday’s opening day of the US Darts Masters. turning the venue into a familiar matchday backdrop with the final World Cup group game for the Three Lions still ahead.
The schedule is tight: Thomas Tuchel’s side are due to face Panama at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday night. the last group match before the next stage. With fans already gathering for that pivotal kick-off. a huge number also made the short leap into the world of darts—where Luke Humphries and Luke Littler took centre stage.
Humphries, the defending champion, made it through to the quarter-finals by overcoming Leonard Gates 6-1. On the same stage where England supporters were piling in, Humphries reflected on the confidence that comes with momentum. “This is a really prestigious event and one of the best venues in the world. ” he said. adding that his run of form—back to the final at events including the Premier League—has given him something he hasn’t had to lean on for opponents. “My brother told me in the last eight events I’ve played in – including the Premier League – I’ve made eight finals on the trot. so that’s given me a lot of confidence.”.
He also described the feeling of getting that edge back after a spell of tougher nights. “I’ve been a really tough player to beat in the last few weeks, and it’s nice to have that winning feeling back,” Humphries said, as he set his sights on his next opponent: Stephen Bunting.
Luke Littler added to the sense of star power around the building, reaching the last eight by beating former North American champion David Cameron. Josh Rock, though, ran into a night that didn’t go to script: he was shocked by Canadian veteran Jim Long, who secured a 6-4 victory.
The later stages will come fast, and the crowd is the headline in its own right. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be played in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,000 fans—a record for darts in the US—on Friday.
The darts story also carried an extra layer of crossover with the World Cup. Littler and Humphries both stopped by ITV’s Brooklyn-based studio in the build-up to the competition. The pair joined ITV presenter Laura Woods and former Scotland star Duncan Ferguson in a light-hearted challenge during ITV’s World Cup coverage—an upbeat detour as the countdown to Saturday’s Panama match continues.
For many of the people who turned up at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. it was a way to double up: World Cup tension stored alongside dartboard drama. Among those in the stands were former Premier League stars Troy Deeney and David Bentley. both taking in the opening day as England’s football days move toward their group-stage finish.
On the football front, ITV will broadcast England’s match against Panama on Saturday, with Tuchel’s team looking to book their place in the last-32 of the World Cup and advance as group winners.
MISRYOUM England Panama Three Lions Thomas Tuchel World Cup Madison Square Garden US Darts Masters Luke Humphries Leonard Gates Stephen Bunting Luke Littler David Cameron Josh Rock Jim Long Troy Deeney David Bentley Laura Woods Duncan Ferguson ITV MetLife Stadium New Jersey
Darts at MSG?? Wild. I thought that place was only basketball and screaming.
So England fans are doing darts instead of watching the soccer like normal people? I mean good for them but also why does it sound like a World Cup group game is happening in a theater.
Humphries vs Leonard Gates 6-1 sounds fake lol. Like is Leonard even a real darts guy or did they just throw a random name in there? Either way I’m pretty sure England will win anyway because fans showed up early.
MetLife on Saturday, darts at Madison Square Garden Thursday… that’s insane logistics. Also “Three Lions” getting shirts there is kinda cute but I still don’t get the timing, like are they playing Panama and then gonna run back for darts right after? My brain can’t handle it.