Luke Littler has thrived on hostility from darts fans but may require a different approach in the future, according to PDC chief executive Matt Porter.
Porter addressed the booing Littler has faced in various arenas and countries this year. The 19-year-old, two-time reigning world champion, burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old sensation at the World Darts Championship in December 2023. He reached the final that year, losing to Luke Humphries on January 3, 2024, before claiming the title in 2025 and 2026.
Littler’s Shifting Fan Reception
Initially adored by fans, Littler’s reception has shifted following outbursts, including one after crowd support for Rob Cross in the recent World Championship quarter-finals and an on-stage clash with Dutch player Gian van Veen in Manchester on April 2 during the Premier League. Littler called the atmosphere in Rotterdam on Night 11 “the worst I’ve experienced” and faced boos in Liverpool last week.
“Yes and no,” Porter responded when asked about the surprise of the booing. “Luke has always enjoyed interacting with the crowd and I don’t think he minds it too much to a level.”
Porter noted that provoking the crowd invites reactions, which Littler often handles with a smile and thrives upon. “Darts crowds can tend to follow patterns. They copy what they see the week before. So once you get on a little bit of a run of having a certain reaction from the crowd, you need to do something to reverse that.”
He added that if bothered, Littler could adapt, similar to Gerwyn Price, who transformed his crowd perception. “It’s going to be up to Luke, whether he feels it’s something he finds quite funny and whether he can deal with it or if it’s something that he wants to change, then you might see a different approach.”
Littler has clashed with fans in Dublin, Brighton, Nottingham, and Berlin this season. Porter acknowledged that Littler’s dominance in a surging sport places a target on his back, a common dynamic across sports. “These things always go in waves.”
Premier League Night 13 Preview
Ahead of Night 13 in Aberdeen, Porter highlighted pressure on Humphries against Michael van Gerwen in the Play-Offs race. “Luke’s perhaps not had the Premier League campaign that he would have wanted. He’s got himself into good positions a lot of the time, but not always been able to convert that into wins.”
Van Gerwen has remained steady, Porter said, positioning himself well. “The pressure is a little bit more on Luke.”
The evening at P&J Live features league leader Jonny Clayton versus Van Veen, Josh Rock against Littler in the opener, and Stephen Bunting facing Gerwyn Price. Ranking points award five to the winner, three to the runner-up, and two to semi-finalists, determining the top four for Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 28.
