The news comes as the pair prepare to put their rivalry to one side and represent England as No1 seeds at the World Cup of Darts, where they will begin their campaign on Saturday.
Littler has set a host of records since bursting onto the darts scene in 2023, this year becoming the youngest-ever world champion at just 17-years-old.
Humphries, 30, has proven Littler’s closest competitor in his short career, pipping him to the 2024 PDC World Championship in 2024. The eight-time major winner led England to a fifth World Cup of darts title last year and is now in the hunt to secure the sixth.
Humphries is honoured after establishing himself as one of darts’ top talents in recent years
John Walton/PA Wire
Welsh rugby league legend Billy Boston, MBE, will also be knighted for his services to the game.
Beckham said he was ‘immensely proud’ to have been named in the list: "To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.
"It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud, and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family."
Manchester United, where Beckham spent much of his career, offered their congratulations: "All of us at Manchester United offer our warm congratulations to David Beckham on this richly-deserved honour.
"In the three and a half decades since he joined our academy as a 14-year-old, David has established himself as not only an indelible legend of this football club, but as a wonderful ambassador for the English game as a whole.”
Another darts star joins Littler and Humphries on the list in Deta Hedman, named OBE after she became the first black woman to play at the PDC World Championship in 2020. The ‘Heart of Darts’ debuted in 1973 and is a two-time World Masters champion.
Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly, 33, is recognised as MBE after starring in the Lionesses’ European Championship-winning campaign in 2022. She scored eight goals and assisted three in 22 WSL matches last season, playing up top as Villa finished sixth. She retired from international duty in April 2024.
Daly is awarded an MBE for her contributions to football
The FA via Getty Images
Daly said in a statement: "I am greatly honoured to receive an MBE. This award is not just for me, but for everyone who has supported me and worked alongside me. It's a very proud moment for me and my family."
Also honoured is retired England pace bowler Devon Malcolm, who became the first international cricketer to come out as gay in 2011.
Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell becomes an OBE just weeks after the Owls secured their return to the football league. He completed a solo 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic last year in support of Alzheimer's Research, raising over £260,000.
Two-time gold medal-winning triathlete Alistair Brownlee receives the same honour after launching the Brownlee Foundation with his brother Jonny, which promotes children’s involvement in sports.
Monica Vaughan, a 10-time Paralympic swimming gold medallist, becomes an OBE while Andy Lapthorne, a 17-time grand slam champion in wheelchair tennis, has been made an MBE.
Boxing world champion Natasha Jonas becomes an MBE, as does motorcycle rider Michael Dunlop, golfer Trish Johnson, and BBC gymnastics commentator Christine Still.
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