Former world champion Adrian Lewis has voiced his concern that rising star Luke Littler is being subjected to what he describes as "unfair" treatment by portions of the audience. The young British player, who was aiming to complete a historic clean sweep of all major Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) titles in the 2026 season, found himself at the centre of a controversy during a tournament in Amsterdam. According to reports, Dutch fans repeatedly whistled at Littler, creating a hostile atmosphere that the teenager found unsettling.
The incident escalated to the point where Littler reportedly threatened to boycott future events held in the Netherlands if the behaviour continued. He said the constant booing and whistling made it difficult for him to focus on his game and left a bitter taste after what should have been a celebratory occasion. Lewis, who has won the world championship twice in his career, expressed empathy for the teenage competitor, acknowledging the immense pressure that comes with chasing multiple major titles simultaneously. "It's very difficult.
Obviously you're under a lot of pressure and certainly when he's going for everything, you put a lot more pressure on yourself as well," Lewis explained. He went on to stress that the treatment Littler received was neither appropriate nor sports‑manlike. "When you've got that going on I don't think it's nice, I don't think it's called for. At the end of the day, he's a young lad.
He's one of the best players I've ever seen and I think it's unfair on him," Lewis added. Lewis also offered practical advice on how to handle such situations. He suggested that Littler, and any player in a similar position, should try to ignore the negative reactions and focus on the game.
"It's difficult. What you're best off doing really is try not react to them," he said. "If you just turn up there and just throw – engaging with the crowd because you've got to engage with them anyway because that's part of the job – but if they start booing and all that and whistling, just take no notice of them." The episode highlights a broader conversation within the darts community about fan conduct and the responsibilities of both players and spectators. Darts, while traditionally a sport with a lively and vocal audience, has seen increasing scrutiny over the line between enthusiastic support and outright harassment.
Organisers of major events, such as the PDC, have been urged to reinforce codes of conduct that protect players from abusive behaviour while preserving the energetic atmosphere that makes darts a popular spectator sport. In the wake of the Amsterdam incident, several commentators have called for clearer guidelines and stricter enforcement at venues across Europe. They argue that a consistent approach to handling disruptive crowds will benefit the sport’s reputation and ensure that emerging talents like Littler can compete in a respectful environment.
Some have suggested that tournament officials should be empowered to issue warnings or even temporary bans to spectators who engage in persistent booing, whistling, or other forms of intimidation. For Littler, the experience may serve as a learning moment in his already impressive career.
At just a teenager, he has already demonstrated the skill and composure required to challenge seasoned veterans. Overcoming the mental hurdle posed by an unfriendly crowd could further strengthen his resilience, a quality that is essential for any player aspiring to dominate the PDC circuit. Meanwhile, the darts calendar remains packed with high‑profile events.
Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for the sport, covering the World Grand Prix (September 28‑October 4), the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14‑22), and the World Darts Championship (December 10‑January 3). Fans can also stream matches and additional content through the NOW platform, which offers live coverage without a long‑term contract. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Littler and his peers navigate the challenges both on and off the oche, and whether the sport can strike a balance between passionate fan engagement and the respectful treatment of its competitors.