“You guys pay for tickets that pays for my prize money, thank you for my money”: Luke Littler hits back savagely at Ally Pally boo boys
LONDON — Rising darts superstar Luke Littler didn’t hold back after being met with boos from parts of the Alexandra Palace crowd during his victory over former world champion Rob Cross at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship — responding with a blistering message to the fans that drew gasps and laughter from viewers. (sportinglife.com)
The 18-year-old, defending world champion and one of the sport’s brightest young stars, produced a commanding performance to beat Cross 4-2, averaging well over 106 and hitting 17 maximums on the way to the quarter-finals. (sportinglife.com)
A Hostile Reception
Despite his dominant display, Littler was visibly challenged by the crowd’s reaction — with sections booing him during the match and into his post-game interview. Rather than brushing it off quietly, he confronted the situation head-on when speaking to Sky Sports after the win. (sportinglife.com)
“I’m not bothered, really not bothered,” Littler told the assembled media — before delivering a sharp retort:
“You guys pay for tickets that pays for my prize money — so thank you. Thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me!” (sportinglife.com)
The tone was equal parts defiant and humorous, with Littler appearing unfazed by the boos — instead thanking those in attendance for contributing to the prize pot he’s chasing at the year’s biggest event. (AOL)
Pressure, Performance and Personality
Littler’s comments come amid a wave of passionate reactions from darts crowds this season — both for and against the teenager, who has rapidly become one of the sport’s most talked-about figures. Even as fans showed their displeasure at moments during this clash, Littler remained composed enough to close out the win. (archive.ph)
After his on-stage retort, he hinted at his growing maturity in handling big-stage atmospheres: acknowledging that crowds can be hostile and that learning to deal with that is part of his evolution as a player. (sportinglife.com)
Looking Ahead
With Littler moving into the quarter-finals, he now awaits either Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski, keeping his hopes alive of defending the world title he won last year. (archive.ph)
His spirited response to the boo boys has already drawn attention on social media, with fans and pundits debating whether his comments were cheeky banter or a sign of rising tension between him and certain sections of the PDC audience. Either way, the matchup atmosphere — especially at Alexandra Palace — continues to be one of the most talked-about elements of this year’s championship. (archive.ph)
