Luke Littler is gearing up for night eight of Premier League Darts, which gets underway in Newcastle on Thursday. The 18-year-old phenomenon will arrive at the Utilita Arena in the hope of getting one step closer to winning £1million in prize money and defending his Premier League crown from last year.
Littler is coming off the back of hitting a nine-darter and beating Michael van Gerwen in the final of last week’s Premier League Darts in Cardiff, where he averaged a stunning 112.5. But the Newcastle crowd are unlikely to make it easy for the teenage sensation, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise since finishing as the runner-up in the 2024 World Darts Championship.
The now reigning world champion experienced a hostile atmosphere last year in Newcastle, where he was beaten by MVG in the semi-finals. Then just 17, Littler received a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd whenever he was at the oche. But the reason for the negative reaction on Tyneside was a lighthearted one.
Fans inside the Utilita Arena were merely jesting with Littler about some of the posts he'd made on X making fun of Newcastle United. As a Manchester United fan, Littler had trolled the Magpies in a string of now-deleted tweets, which loyal Newcastle fans sought to get him back over. There was also a strong Newcastle United presence at the darts that night as stars such as Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Harvey Barnes turned up to watch the action.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe claimed he was unaware of their team night out at a press conference the following day, even joking: “You'll need to give me a list of names please. Hopefully it wasn't a late night? Maybe they should've been in fancy dress!"
But Littler, who so often showcases character and skill beyond his years, remained undeterred as he beat Peter Wright in a thrilling 11th-leg decider during their quarter-final clash last year. In fact, the Warrington-born star reveled in the hostility as he wheeled out his trademark 'Big Fish' celebration after hitting a 170 checkout.
Littler went on to win the Premier League in his first season competing, getting the last laugh over his booers. He capped off a sensational start to 2024 by beating Luke Humphries 11-7 in the final, hitting a nine-dart finish and becoming the youngest player ever to win a major PDC tournament.
His win in Cardiff last week marked his third Premier League victory this season, taking him six points clear at the top and standing him in good stead with 10 weeks remaining. His rival Humphries, who is in second, will be eyeing a win to close that gap, while Van Gerwen is third in the standings.