Luke Littler has decided to skip the upcoming Hungarian Darts Trophy, scheduled for this weekend in Budapest, and unleashed a cheeky joke upon discovering its location, showcasing his playful personality amid a stellar year on the darts circuit. The 17-year-old sensation, who has dominated 2024 with nine titles—including the recent £200,000 World Matchplay win on July 27, 2025—announced his withdrawal, sparking curiosity about his motives. When informed by a PDC official that the event would take place in Hungary, Littler grinned and quipped, “Looks like I’ll need to brush up on my goulash skills instead of my darts!”—a humorous reference to Hungary’s renowned dish, suggesting he’d rather savor a culinary break than compete. This lighthearted remark, delivered during a casual interview at 06:30 PM WAT on Monday, July 28, 2025, reflects his knack for blending humor with his rising stardom, endearing him further to fans.
Littler’s decision to forego the European Tour event comes on the heels of his Blackpool triumph, where he defeated James Wade 18-13 to claim the Phil Taylor Trophy, becoming the youngest-ever Matchplay champion. The victory, marked by a 107.24 average and 17 maximums, netted him a career-defining sum, providing financial flexibility to prioritize rest over an additional tournament. His packed schedule—spanning the PDC World Championship, Premier League, and now the Triple Crown—has seen him juggle intense competition with personal downtime, a balance he’s maintained by skipping events like the Nordic Darts Masters earlier this year for a family trip to Orlando. The Hungarian Darts Trophy, while offering a £30,000 top prize, pales in comparison to his recent earnings, making the break a strategic choice as he eyes future majors like the World Grand Prix.
The cheeky goulash comment also nods to Littler’s youthful charm, a trait evident in his past quips about taking his Xbox on tour and his playful interactions with girlfriend Faith Millar, whom he celebrated on stage post-Matchplay. Fans on X have embraced the humor, with @DartsLad posting, “Luke skipping Budapest for goulash—legend status!” and @LittlerMania adding, “Cheeky lad knows how to keep us laughing!” This withdrawal allows him to recharge in Warrington, potentially with Millar, after a grueling 10 days in Blackpool, where he admitted putting his family “through it” with his intense focus. His decision aligns with a broader strategy to peak for high-stakes events, avoiding burnout as he continues to redefine darts with records like 18 maximums in a single match.
As the evening unfolds at 06:30 PM WAT on July 28, 2025, Littler’s joke and skip highlight a mature yet fun-loving approach, balancing his “Littlermania” fame with personal well-being. With his next competitive move unclear, this moment of levity ensures he remains a fan favorite, trading darts for a hypothetical kitchen stint while plotting his next big stage appearance
