World No1 Luke Humphries has revealed his stance on the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) controversial announcement on the sport’s first-ever tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Governing body PDC, owned by Barry Hearn’s Matchroom Sports, becomes the latest to make the move over to the Middle East, after snooker and boxing recorded major successes.
The tournament will be part of ‘Riyadh Season’, which has seen major boxing bouts such as Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua.
Snooker held its first event in Saudi Arabia in 2024. Ronnie O’Sullivan finished runner-up to Australian Neil Robertson in this year’s Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
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The tournament will be part of the World Series of Darts and will be held at the Global Theatre, Riyadh, in January 2026. It will be the second event on the calendar after the Bahrain Darts Masters earlier in the month.
Saudi Arabia’s strict no-alcohol policy will mean a tamer and less raucous crowd for players to deal with, as Matchroom chief Hearn confirmed it would be a sober event.
Premier League champion Luke Humphries has revealed his stance on the new tournament held in Saudi Arabia
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"If we can't drink in a country where we must respect their traditions and their laws, we don't drink,” he told Sky Sports last week.
World No 1 Humphries and Luke Littler are both expected to be part of a bumper list of the sport’s biggest stars.
And the reigning Premier League champion insisted he is all-in for the concept, reminding fans of his motivations.
The world No1 beat Nathan Aspinall in the World Grand Prix on Monday evening
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“Honestly, I couldn’t care to be honest. Whatever he [Hearn] wants to do is great, as long as he pays as much as he does for the snooker and the boxing, I don’t care," he said.
The Global Theatre in Riyadh held the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in December, and handed a £745,000 bonus to any player who could pot a ‘golden ball’ after a 147 break.
It has been suggested that a similar “crazy concept” could be introduced into darts.
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“Obviously, this is my job,” Humphries continued. “I know a lot of people think that it’s not the greatest thing, but I think it’s good. I am happy to play in it.
“We’re trying to grow the sport around the world, and Saudi Arabia seems to be the new hotspot. Boxing took them for it, snooker took them for it, and now obviously darts.
“I don’t really have too much input about it to be honest, if I’m picked, I’m there, wherever it is. If it’s there [Saudi Arabia], if it’s Japan, if it’s South Africa, Australia - I’ll go!
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“I don’t really have much input, but we can only look and see what happens in January. If it's a good success, then great, if it’s not a success, then who knows?
“I’m going to go, turn up, be there and hopefully there’s £1million for the winner!”
Humphries' comments sparked a mixed reaction online, with one fan expressing his frustrations: "Disappointing from someone who generally comes across pretty well spoken and educated."
Another noted: "Sending the sport to Saudi Arabia is not growing darts. There is not a need to darts in Saudi Arabia."
However, some where quick to his defence, with a third fan retorting: "He’s a sportsman, not a politician, if your boss was sending you to Saudi for a job would you refuse?"
Luke Humphries when asked about darts heading to Saudi Arabia
— Josh (@joshpearson180) October 6, 2025
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One fan even related his comments to Gary Neville, who infamously worked at the Qatar World Cup despite criticising conditions in the country.
"At least he is honest unlike @GNev2 who would have said it was a disgrace then took the money anyway and claimed he did so to educate them," they said.
While the prize pot for the tournament is yet to be revealed, Humphries had previously gone on record to criticise darts’ increasing and unreasonable schedule.
The 30-year-old said it felt like a "chore" and that the amount of games he is required to play has left him "emotionless,” following a Premier League appearance in April.
Cool Hand also added that he felt he needed a break from the circuit as "it's no good for my mental state."
Humphries was back in action at the World Grand Prix on Monday evening, as he put Nathan Aspinall to the sword in a thrilling 2-0 victory.