Luke Littler Braces for Boos at 2025 World Cup of Darts as Humphries Vows Support
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old world champion, is set to face a potentially hostile crowd at the 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle (June 12-15), where he and Luke Humphries aim to defend England’s title. Littler’s apprehension stems from boos and heckling he endured at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich in April 2025, where he lost 7-4 to Gian van Veen in the semi-finals. Frustrated, he posted on Instagram, “Shouldn’t have been in Munich… next one in Germany for me is Dortmund [in October],” sparking speculation about skipping the World Cup, per www.dailymail.co.uk. He later clarified, “No, I was always [going to play],” to Sky Sports, confirming his debut alongside Humphries, per www.skysports.com.
Humphries, world No. 1, devised a plan to shield Littler, telling *The Sun*, “If the crowd’s on his back, I’ll be there to say, ‘Focus on your game, not what’s behind you,’” per www.express.co.uk. He may let Littler throw first to leverage his scoring prowess, saying, “Luke’s the best scorer in the world,” per www.express.co.uk. Humphries, who won the 2024 title with Michael Smith, noted Littler’s resilience, adding, “If they boo, it might fire him up,” per @SunSport on X. Their 103.45 and 101.29 season averages make England 4/11 favorites, per www.live-darts.com.
Littler’s history with crowds includes taunting Liverpool fans in 2024 over a football rivalry, prompting boos, and gesturing “cry more” to Leeds fans, per www.bbc.co.uk. A potential clash with Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko could intensify the atmosphere, per www.skysports.com. Despite this, Humphries believes Littler’s experience with pressure, like his 140.91 set average record at the 2025 World Championship, will shine through, per www.pdc.tv.
