In the electrifying world of darts, few stars shine as brightly as 18-year-old Luke Littler, the reigning World Champion nicknamed “The Nuke.” Yet, his recent experience at the 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt has left him questioning the event’s future at the Eissporthalle arena. Representing England alongside world No. 1 Luke Humphries, Littler faced a barrage of boos from a fervent German crowd during a shocking 8-4 second-round defeat to the host nation’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko. The hostile atmosphere, which Littler described as “crazy,” has prompted him to make a bold call for the tournament to relocate to a new venue, igniting discussions about crowd behavior and its impact on young players in the sport.
The World Cup, held from June 12-15, 2025, saw Littler and Humphries, pre-tournament favorites, enter the stage to the tune of Fat Les’ “Vindaloo,” only to be met with a deafening chorus of jeers from the 3,500-strong Frankfurt crowd. Humphries, the seasoned world No. 1, chuckled at the reception, while Littler, making his World Cup debut, remained stoic, staring at the floor. The intense atmosphere appeared to rattle the English duo, who struggled to find their rhythm, averaging just over 93 and converting only four of their 11 double attempts. Germany’s Schindler and Pietreczko, fueled by the partisan support, seized the opportunity, with Pietreczko’s clutch double 16s sealing a stunning upset. Littler, visibly frustrated, quickly shook hands and left the stage without Humphries, a move that sparked criticism from some fans but also highlighted the pressure he faced.
Reflecting on the defeat during the build-up to the US Darts Masters, Littler didn’t mince words. “Crazy. Didn’t turn up at the same time, didn’t sit next to each other but I’m sure I saw Luke’s interview before we do our own thing,” he told interviewers, addressing speculation about a lack of unity with Humphries. “I don’t want to go to the venue four and a half hours before. That’s how much time he needed. For myself, I need two and a half hours. We didn’t click, but I’m sure we will be back again.” He added a pointed remark about the Frankfurt crowd: “Germany played two group games, they were ready. But for myself, totally new stage, atmosphere. We knew what was coming. It didn’t happen. But let’s hope they move venues.” His comments underscore a growing frustration with German crowds, as Littler has faced similar hostility in previous tournaments, including the German Darts Championship in Hildesheim and the German Grand Prix in Munich.
The booing wasn’t without controversy. German player Schindler, while celebrating the victory, criticized the crowd’s behavior, stating, “We don’t approve the whistling and booing, but it’s not getting easier for us because our opponents are getting booed or whistled, so we still need to go up there and perform.” Belgian darts legend Erik Clarys went further, warning of the psychological toll on young players like Littler. “Just imagine being Luke Littler. He’s still so young. Everywhere else, he’s celebrated, but here in Germany, he’s being booed from start to finish,” Clarys said. “You can’t imagine the effect something like this has on young players. It gets into your head. All you want to do is go home.” Darts commentator Rudy Lanssens echoed these concerns, suggesting Littler might avoid Germany altogether in the future.
Humphries, who won the World Cup in 2024 with Michael Smith, defended their teamwork, dismissing claims of discord. “There was a lot of talk about me and Luke not being a team. Coming from the horse’s mouth, I can assure you we were a team,” he said. “I told Luke: Do your own thing. He gets there two hours before, I get there four. I need more practice, he doesn’t.” Despite the loss, Humphries remained optimistic, noting that the unique pressures of team play and a hostile crowd were factors. “Playing for your country is different than playing for yourself,” he explained, highlighting the challenges of syncing as a pair under such conditions.
Littler’s call for a venue change comes after a history of tense encounters in Germany, where he previously threatened to boycott tournaments following a semi-final loss to Gian van Veen in Munich. “I got booed in Hildesheim last year against Peter Wright. I was flying, and then they started booing me and I lost,” he recalled. Despite his frustrations, Littler confirmed his participation in the upcoming European Championship in Dortmund, signaling he’s not entirely done with Germany. As he prepares for the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool, Littler is focused on moving past the Frankfurt “flop,” stating, “We didn’t play too bad, very tough conditions, but now I’m on my own, let’s have some fun.” With his sights set on further major titles, Littler’s resilience and ambition remain unshaken, even as he pushes for a more welcoming stage for darts’ biggest events.
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