Luke Littler has built his early career on the edge of controversy, thriving when crowds have turned hostile toward him, according to Professional Darts Corporation chief executive Matt Porter. In an interview with Sky Sports on Wednesday, Porter addressed whether he was surprised by the frequent booing Littler has encountered across a number of venues and countries this season. The 19‑year‑old, a two‑time defending world champion, first burst onto the scene as a 16‑year‑old prodigy at the World Darts Championship in December 2023. He reached the final that year, ultimately losing to Luke Humphries on 3 January 2024, before capturing the title in both 2025 and 2026.
At the height of his meteoric rise, Littler seemed universally beloved, with fans chanting his name and media outlets hailing his talent. That goodwill began to erode after a series of high‑profile incidents. During the most recent World Championship quarter‑final, Littler reacted angrily to the crowd’s vocal support for opponent Rob Cross, an outburst that was captured on television. Weeks later, in a Premier League fixture in Manchester on 2 April, he engaged in a heated on‑stage exchange with Dutch competitor Gian van Veen.
Both moments sparked a noticeable shift in audience attitude, and the young champion later described the atmosphere on Night 11 of the Premier League in Rotterdam as "the worst I've experienced." He was also booed in Liverpool the following week. When asked if the booing had taken him by surprise, Porter gave a measured response: "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 brand of provocation is part of a broader pattern seen in darts. "If you stir the crowd up a little, as Luke has done in the past, you have to expect a reaction.
Often he does it with a smile, and that has been something he has thrived on," the PDC chief said. He noted that darts audiences can be highly reactive, sometimes copying the mood of previous nights. "Once you get a certain reaction from the crowd, you either have to change your approach or you risk being stuck in a negative feedback loop," Porter added.
The conversation then turned to how Littler might respond. "If Luke is bothered by it, he may decide to alter his behaviour.
If he can shrug it off, treating the boos like water off a duck’s back, he will be fine. We've seen that with Gerwyn Price a few years ago – he completely reshaped his public perception, and there are other examples as well," Porter observed. Porter emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with Littler.
"It will be up to Luke whether he finds the hostility funny and can roll with it, or whether he wants to change his style to avoid it altogether," he said. Beyond the Rotterdam and Liverpool incidents, Littler has also faced confrontations with spectators in Dublin, Brighton, Nottingham and Berlin this season.
Some analysts suggest that his young age, combined with his dominance in a sport that has seen explosive growth in popularity, makes volatile crowd interactions almost inevitable. "In every sport you see people being targeted, and Luke is no different.
He has a target on his back from rivals and from fans watching the sport," Porter explained. "These cycles come in waves – what is a problem today may be replaced by something else tomorrow." Porter also gave his perspective on Littler’s performance in the current Premier League campaign. "Luke hasn’t had the season he would have liked.
He often finds himself in good positions but hasn’t always been able to convert those into wins," the executive said. "Michael van Gerwen, by contrast, has been remarkably consistent, racking up points week after week. The pressure is now a little higher on Luke – he will want a night victory to get back into the top‑four race." Despite the challenges, Porter remains confident in Littler’s talent. "You wouldn’t rule him out, obviously, given the skill he possesses," he affirmed.
The 2026 Premier League will continue at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, where the league leader Jonny Clayton will renew his rivalry with Gian van Veen, while Humphries and van Gerwen face off in a crucial top‑four clash. The evening will also feature a showdown between Josh Rock and Littler, and a semi‑final battle between Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price. The league’s points system awards five points to the night’s winner, three to the runner‑up, and two to each semi‑finalist, determining the top four who will advance to the Finals Night at The O2 in London on 28 May. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Littler decides to lean into the crowd‑provoking persona that has both helped and hindered his career, or whether he adopts a different, perhaps more measured, approach to keep his focus on the oche and his quest for further titles.