“Is he scared of me or Humphries going £1million, £2million ahead of him”: Luke Littler fires back at Van Gerwen’s ranking change call

Luke Littler has fired a sharp response at Michael van Gerwen after the Dutchman publicly called for changes to darts’ prize-money-based ranking system ahead of the 2026 World Championship. With a record £1 million winner’s prize on offer, the world No. 1 believes van Gerwen’s complaints may have less to do with fairness — and more to do with fear.

Van Gerwen Calls for Ranking Change

In the build-up to the sport’s biggest event, Van Gerwen argued that the PDC should reconsider the longstanding system in which rankings are determined by prize money earned over two years. With the World Championship purse now dwarfing other tournaments, the Dutch star suggested one result shouldn’t have the power to “skew” the rankings so dramatically.

His concerns were clear: a single win could catapult a player far ahead of the chasing pack, and the rankings might no longer reflect long-term consistency.

Littler Fires Back

But Littler wasn’t buying it — and he didn’t mince his words when responding.

“Is he scared of me or Humphries going £1 million, £2 million ahead of him?” the teenage superstar fired back, dismissing the idea that the system is suddenly a problem now that younger players, including Luke Humphries, are dominating the biggest stages.

Littler suggested that van Gerwen’s argument was less about the integrity of darts and more about protecting his own position in the pecking order.

A Growing Rivalry

The exchange adds extra fuel to an already simmering rivalry. Van Gerwen, once the undisputed force in darts, now finds himself regularly overshadowed by Littler and Humphries — the two players who have emerged as the sport’s new powerhouses.

Littler’s rapid rise to world No. 1 has intensified pressure on van Gerwen, who has struggled for consistency in recent seasons. With the World Championship purse hitting unprecedented heights, the stakes — both financially and competitively — have never been higher.

What’s Really at Stake

While van Gerwen argues that the ranking structure needs a rethink, Littler’s counter-argument highlights a deeper conversation within darts:
Should rankings reward the players who deliver on the sport’s biggest stages, or should they reflect a broader measure of consistency?

For Littler, the answer is simple. Winning the biggest tournaments should give players the biggest ranking boost — and if he or Humphries surge even further ahead, that’s simply how the modern game works.

A Championship With Massive Implications

The upcoming World Championship could reshape the entire landscape of darts. A £1 million winner’s cheque would cement Littler or Humphries as dominant forces for years. For van Gerwen, a deep run is essential not just for pride, but for keeping pace with the sport’s changing hierarchy.

With tensions rising and the world watching, the Littler–Van Gerwen rivalry has added yet another chapter — and all signs point to a dramatic showdown on the Alexandra Palace stage.