Luke Littler has built a reputation for thriving on the heat generated by darts spectators, yet PDC chief executive Matt Porter suggests the young champion might soon have to adopt a different strategy. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Porter addressed the question of whether he was taken aback by the wave of boos Littler has endured across several venues and countries throughout the current season. The 19‑year‑old, who clinched back‑to‑back world titles in 2025 and 2026 after making a sensational debut as a 16‑year‑old at the 2023 World Darts Championship, initially enjoyed universal adulation.
He reached the final of the 2024 championship, ultimately falling to Luke Humphries, and for a time was celebrated as the sport’s bright new star. However, his relationship with the crowd shifted dramatically after a series of high‑profile incidents.
An outburst directed at the audience during the quarter‑finals of the most recent World Championship, when fans were cheering for Rob Cross, and a heated on‑stage exchange with Dutch competitor Gian van Veen in Manchester on April 2 during the Premier League, have altered public perception. Littler himself described the atmosphere in Rotterdam on Night 11 of the Premier League as "the worst I've experienced," and he was again met with boos in Liverpool the following week. When Sky Sports asked Porter if the booing surprised him, he responded, "Yes and no. Luke has always enjoyed interacting with the crowd and I don’t think he minds it to a great extent." Porter went on to explain that Littler’s habit of provoking the audience is a double‑edged sword.
"If you’re going to rile the crowd up a little, as he has done before, you have to expect a reaction. Often when Luke does that, he does it with a smile and it’s something he’s thrived on," the PDC chief said.
He added that darts fans tend to develop patterns, copying each other's responses from one event to the next. "Once you get a certain reaction from the crowd, you need to do something to reverse that," Porter noted, suggesting that a shift in behaviour could break the cycle. The executive emphasized that Littler’s response to the hostility will determine his future approach. "If Luke is bothered by it – and I don’t think he is hugely bothered – he might look to change it.
But if he can shrug it off like water off a duck’s back, he’ll be fine. We saw a similar transformation with Gerwyn Price a few years ago; he completely altered the way crowds perceive him, and there are other examples as well," Porter explained. Porter concluded that the decision rests with Littler himself: "It will be up to Luke whether he finds the boos amusing and can live with them, or whether he decides it’s something he wants to change, which could lead to a different approach on stage." Beyond the incidents in Rotterdam and Liverpool, Littler has also faced confrontations with supporters in Dublin, Brighton, Nottingham and Berlin this season.
Some observers argue that, despite his youth, Littler’s dominance in a sport that has surged in popularity inevitably brings volatile crowd interactions. Porter agreed, noting that the phenomenon is not unique to darts.
"You see it in every sport – athletes become targets for both opponents and spectators. It’s part of the game. These dynamics tend to come in waves; today it’s one thing, tomorrow something else takes over," he said. Discussing the broader Premier League context, Porter commented on the latest night of action in Aberdeen, where defending champion Luke Humphries faced Michael van Gerwen in a crucial battle for playoff positioning.
"Luke hasn’t had the Premier League campaign he would have liked. He’s often put himself in good spots but hasn’t always converted those into victories.
Michael, on the other hand, has been remarkably steady, consistently picking up points and securing wins," Porter observed. He added that the pressure is now more acute for Littler.
"He’ll likely be eager to win a night to boost his chances of finishing in the top four. With the talent he possesses, you can’t rule him out," Porter said.
The 2026 Premier League will continue at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, featuring a potentially decisive clash between Humphries and Van Gerwen for a top‑four finish, while league leader Jonny Clayton renews his rivalry with Gian van Veen. The evening’s opening match will see Josh Rock take on Littler, and Stephen Bunting will meet Gerwyn Price in a semi‑final qualifier. Points are awarded each night – five for the winner, three for the runner‑up and two for each semi‑finalist – to build the league table that determines the four players advancing to the Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 28.