Luke Humphries reveals ridiculous amount of money darts players make prior to games

Darts star Luke Humphries has revealed all about the money players earn - including the earnings away from the oche.

Humphries is the No.1 ranked player in the world and the reigning world champion after beating Luke Littler 7-4 in last year's thrilling final at Alexandra Palace.

The 29-year-old collected £500,000 in prize money after his triumph and both he and Littler have emerged as the new faces of darts in a huge boom period for the sport.

Humphries was previously working as a roofer but retired in 2018 to play darts full-time and has never looked back, making a massive £50,000 in his first year when he beat then-world champion Rob Cross

"That was a nice bit of lump sum in your bank again," Humphries said on JaackMaate's Happy Hour podcast when discussing his first big paycheck.

"And then I did it again (the next year). Made the quarter finals again, another 50 grand, obviously winning money in between that as well. And then you're well over six figures in your bank account as a whole and then you're like, 'Okay, well there's no pressure on me now'.

While Humphries has done nicely from prize money in recent years, he also touched on the incredible money that darts players can make before they even step up to the board through lucrative sponsorships.

Humphries added: "They're paying you like five, 10 grand for each sponsor, you're kind of getting £30/40,000 on your shirt before you've even thrown a dart!

"This was like, seven years ago. That's already a year's salary, without winning anything! That's comfortability.

"Whereas now it's ridiculous, it's silly money. When you see that half a million going from the worlds, that is like, 'woah!'".

Luke Humphries' life has been transformed through darts. Image: Getty

For this year's World Darts Championship, there is also extra financial incentives for players. Players are rewarded for hitting a nine-darter, with Paddy Power paying out £60,000 and the Prostate Cancer charity and a randomly selected fan in the crowd also receiving the sum as part of the 'BIGGER 180' campaign.

Christian Kist, ranked 132nd in the world, became the first player to earn the money with a perfect leg against Madars Razma.

Because he hasn't turned 18 yet, Littler, the favourite for the showpiece, is not eligible for the prize.