Luke Littler returns to Newcastle for Premier League Darts night one with a chance to make it consecutive wins in the North East, two years after receiving boos
Eddie Howe asked for a list of Newcastle United players who attended the Premier League Darts at Utilita Arena two years(Image: George Wood - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)View Image
Luke Littler is back in Newcastle for the Premier League Darts opening night after winning the World Masters last weekend.
The back-to-back world champion beat Premier League title holder Luke Humphries in Sunday's final 6-5. Littler now turns his attention to reclaiming the crown his rival won by defeating the teenager 11-8 in last year's final.
Despite being dethroned in 2025, Littler has fond memories of his most recent visit to Newcastle. He won 6-1 against Humphries in the final on night eight of the Premier League for his fourth of six victories during the league stage last year.
That result gave Littler the last laugh at Utilita Arena after being booed there in his first year as part of the Premier League. He lost to Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals and was met with jeers from sections of the crowd whenever he stepped up to throw.
Yet the reason behind the negative response on Tyneside was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Spectators inside the Utilita Arena were having a bit of fun with Littler over posts he'd shared on X, formerly Twitter, poking fun at Newcastle United.
As a Manchester United supporter, Littler had mocked the Magpies in a series of now-deleted tweets, which Newcastle fans were keen to repay him for.
There was also a significant contingent of footballers at the darts that evening, with Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff turning out to watch the spectacle. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe insisted he was oblivious to their squad's evening out at a press conference the next day.
He said: "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!"
Littler, who frequently displays maturity and ability beyond his years, remained unfazed as he defeated Peter Wright in a dramatic 11th-leg decider during their quarter-final encounter. Indeed, the Warrington-born sensation thrived on the animosity as he performed his signature 'Big Fish' celebration following a 170 checkout.
Speaking about how he handles to crowd before this year's night in Newcastle, Littler says winning helps: "Last year my first game was against Stephen Bunting, and I beat him 6-0, and it was over in about nine minutes (ten), so it was quick on and off. It's all banter at the end of the day."
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