Luke Littler hit by object and dodges another thrown from crowd before Premier League final loss
Luke Littler Targeted by Crowd Objects Before Emotional Premier League Darts Final Loss
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy, faced a shocking disruption before his semi-final at the 2025 Premier League Darts Play-Offs at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, 2025, when a foam finger struck him and he narrowly dodged a second object thrown from the crowd. Despite a stunning 10-6 semi-final victory over Gerwyn Price, Littler fell 11-8 to Luke Humphries in the final, leaving him visibly emotional as his title defense ended.
Crowd Chaos Before the Semi-Final
As Littler warmed up for his semi-final against Price, a sponsored foam finger hit his leg while he acknowledged the 14,000-strong crowd. Moments later, he ducked as another object, thrown with force, sailed over him, narrowly missing its mark. Both Littler and Price, who faced pre-match boos, kicked the items off the stage, with Littler flashing a scowl but staying composed. “Littler didn’t seem to notice, but there was a scowl on his face,” one report noted. The incident, part of a charged atmosphere, didn’t derail Littler, who rallied from a 6-4 deficit against Price, winning six of seven legs with a 104.00 average and a clutch 86 checkout (T18, D16). “Littler just demolished Price in that second session,” observers remarked, highlighting his resilience.
Heartbreak in the Final
In the best-of-21-leg final, Littler met world No. 1 Humphries, who had beaten Nathan Aspinall 10-7 in the other semi-final. Humphries struck a decisive blow with a 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5) to lead 7-6, prompting Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge to declare, “That will settle him!” Littler, who leveled at 8-8 with a D16 finish, couldn’t match Humphries’ 103.50 average and 75% checkout rate, falling 11-8 after a final 11-darter. Tearful post-match, Littler told Sky Sports, “I’m gutted, but Luke played brilliantly. It’s been an unbelievable season.” Humphries, gracious in victory, said, “He’s the best player in the world right now,” tying their major final record at 1-1 after Littler’s 2024 nine-darter-aided win.
Littler’s Remarkable Season
Littler’s 2025 Premier League campaign was historic, with a record 45 points, six nightly wins, and a Cardiff nine-darter. His 103.00 season average and checkouts like 155 in Sheffield underscored his dominance, despite Price’s 7-2 seasonal edge. The crowd incident echoed earlier disruptions, like a pint thrown at Aspinall in Brighton, which Littler called “crazy.” His composure, seen in Liverpool where he mocked boos with crying gestures, shone through, as he said, “This crowd got me over the line” against Price.
**Broader Context and Resilience**
The O2 incident wasn’t isolated; Littler’s ability to refocus mirrors his response to 2024 Liverpool boos and a 2024 German Darts Championship loss, where he cried for a friend’s late father. Humphries’ clutch 130 checkout, like Price’s 132 against Littler, highlighted the fine margins. Littler’s grit aligns with Novak Djokovic’s 2025 French Open injections, Fallon Sherrock’s health-driven break, Alex de Minaur’s ATP reform push, Gerwyn Price’s crowd defiance, and Alexander Zverev’s watch wager.
Conclusion
Luke Littler was struck by a foam finger and dodged another object before his 10-6 semi-final win over Gerwyn Price at the 2025 Premier League Darts Play-Offs on May 29, 2025, but lost 11-8 to Luke Humphries in the final. Humphries’ 130 checkout and 103.50 average ended Littler’s title defense, leaving him emotional. Like Djokovic, Sherrock, de Minaur, Price, and Zverev, Littler’s resilience amid chaos defines his rise. Watch highlights on Sky Sports.
