Luke Littler mercilessly booed by Rotterdam crowd at Premier League Darts after spat with hometown hero Gian van Veen

Luke Littler faced another intense reception from the crowd in Rotterdam, with fans making their feelings known throughout Night 11 of the Premier League Darts.

The 19-year-old was met with loud jeers as he walked on stage for his quarter-final clash against Gerwyn Price, with boos, whistles, and shouts echoing around the arena. Even before his entrance, the reaction was clear, as the crowd responded negatively when his image appeared on the big screen.

In contrast, Price received warm applause, underlining the crowd’s preference from the outset. Littler kept his composure, acknowledging the audience briefly before focusing on the match.

During the game, missed trebles from Littler were met with noise from the crowd, while Price’s scoring was loudly celebrated. Despite the atmosphere, Littler started strongly, taking the opening two legs and building momentum.

He maintained a focused, composed demeanor throughout, moving into a 5-2 lead before missing a dart to close out the match. When he eventually sealed victory, he responded with a brief, passionate celebration before quickly exiting the stage.

Pundit Wayne Mardle suggested the reaction from crowds is partly linked to recent events, including Littler’s on-stage exchange with Gian van Veen.

“There are things he does brilliantly, but also moments that haven’t helped him with the crowd,” Mardle said. “What happened with Van Veen and previous comments have played a part.

“He now has to deal with it, stay focused, and let his performances do the talking. Over time, it can settle down — we’ve seen that before with other players.”

The atmosphere in Rotterdam was always expected to be challenging for Littler, particularly with Van Veen competing on home soil. The Dutch crowd, known for its passion, made their support clear throughout the evening.

Littler has become an increasingly talked-about figure in the sport, especially following recent high-profile moments, including his interaction with fans at the World Championship and the widely discussed clash with Van Veen in Manchester.

Those incidents have contributed to mixed reactions from crowds in recent weeks, including a difficult night in Brighton where he exited early against Stephen Bunting.

Although a potential rematch with Van Veen in Rotterdam did not materialise — after the Dutchman was beaten in the quarter-finals by Luke Humphries — the spotlight remained firmly on Littler.

For now, the young star continues to navigate both the pressures of elite competition and the added challenge of performing in front of demanding crowds, as he looks to keep his focus on results.