PDC chief executive Matt Porter says Luke Littler has often fed off hostile crowds, but that the young star might benefit from adjusting his approach if the negativity persists.
Porter told Sky Sports he was not shocked by the boos Littler has faced this season. He pointed out that Littler, who enjoys engaging with spectators, has a history of provoking reactions and frequently does so with a grin—something that has previously energised him. Porter added that when a player deliberately winds up a crowd, some form of pushback is to be expected.
Littler shot to prominence as a 16-year-old at the World Darts Championship in December 2023, then lost the final to Luke Humphries on January 3, 2024. He went on to claim world titles in 2025 and 2026. Once a fan favourite, Littler’s reception shifted after a post-match flare-up at the most recent World Championship—when he reacted to supporters of Rob Cross—and an on-stage confrontation with Gian van Veen during the Premier League in Manchester on April 2.
Those moments helped spark jeering in several venues this season. Littler described the atmosphere in Rotterdam on Premier League Night 11 as the worst he has experienced, and he has also been booed in Liverpool, Dublin, Brighton, Nottingham and Berlin.
Porter noted that darts crowds tend to copy what they see week to week, so negative momentum can be hard to reverse once it builds. He suggested Littler has choices: if the player is concerned, he could alter how he conducts himself; if not, he can learn to let the boos wash off. Porter cited Gerwyn Price as an example of a player who changed public perception over time, and he said being targeted by fans is common in many sports when someone is dominant or polarising.
“These things move in waves,” Porter added, predicting the issue will evolve and eventually be overtaken by something else.
Looking ahead to the Premier League, Porter previewed Night 13 at P&J Live in Aberdeen. He highlighted the key match between defending champion Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen as critical for the race to the Play-Offs, saying Humphries has been in promising positions but has not consistently converted them into wins, while Van Gerwen has shown steady form. That puts a bit more pressure on Humphries to secure a night victory to boost his top-four chances.
Night 13 schedule (P&J Live, Aberdeen):
– Quarter-finals: Josh Rock vs Luke Littler
– Stephen Bunting vs Gerwyn Price
– Jonny Clayton vs Gian van Veen
– Luke Humphries vs Michael van Gerwen
Ranking points are awarded each night—five for the winner, three for the runner-up and two for each semi-finalist—and those points form the league table. The top four players after the league phase will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 28.