In the electric atmosphere of Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, the 2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts kicked off with a shock that sent ripples through the darts world. Luke Littler, the teenage phenomenon and reigning World No.1, crashed out in the quarter-finals, falling 6-4 to debutant Gian van Veen in a tense rematch of their World Championship final from just weeks earlier. The 19-year-old ‘Nuke’ entered as the overwhelming favorite, but Van Veen’s composure under pressure exposed cracks in Littler’s armor on opening night.
Littler has been nothing short of a darts supernova since bursting onto the scene at 16. His runner-up finish in the 2024 World Championship propelled him to stardom, and he’s since claimed the world title, racking up major victories with his blistering 180s and ice-cold checkouts. Yet, in the high-stakes, fast-paced Premier League—where nights are decided by quarter-finals, semis, and a final in a grueling race-to-six legs—his dominance hit a snag. This marked only the eighth time in 33 Premier League opening matches that Littler has tasted defeat in the first clash, a statistic that underscores his usual early-night prowess.
The match itself was a nail-biter, encapsulating the razor-sharp intensity of the format. Van Veen, making his Premier League bow after finishing as World Championship runner-up, traded legs with Littler in a cagey affair. The Dutch youngster held his nerve in the decisive final leg, missing double six to seal victory but capitalizing when Littler bungled a 95 checkout attempt. Van Veen then powered through to the final, only to fall 6-4 to Michael van Gerwen, who stormed to the night win with a masterclass, including a stunning 114 checkout in his semi-final against Luke Humphries. Humphries himself edged Gerwyn Price 6-5 in the quarters, while Jonny Clayton demolished Josh Rock 6-2 with a scorching 109.81 average before bowing out to Van Veen.
Former professional Matt Edgar didn’t mince words in dissecting Littler’s stumble, pinpointing a glaring vulnerability in the World No.1’s game. “He’s vulnerable on the ProTour — it’s the same format, and Luke struggles there,” Edgar observed. He highlighted Littler’s propensity for slow starts, referencing dramatic comebacks like going 5-0 down at the World Matchplay or trailing multiple sets against Gerwyn Price before clawing back. “He doesn’t have time in the Premier League,” Edgar warned. “Maybe this is where we are going to see Luke not be as dominant.”
Edgar’s analysis rings true in the Premier League’s unforgiving structure. Unlike longer best-of-sets tournaments where Littler can mount epic recoveries, these short races offer scant margin for error. A sluggish start on the oche, coupled with ProTour inconsistencies, leaves little room for the teen to unleash his trademark firepower. Fans and pundits have long marveled at Littler’s mental steel in extended battles, but this format tests raw consistency from the off.
Not everyone is hitting the panic button, though. Darts content creator Charlie Murphy offered a measured take, urging calm amid the hype. “I don’t think it’s going to continue for Luke to lose round one games. I don’t think that will happen very often,” he said. Murphy envisions Littler flipping the switch when the stakes peak—say, midway through the 16-night league phase, as the battle for the top four playoffs intensifies. “I think he can switch it on when he really needs to and when he really wants to. It’s night one—did it really matter to him? Yeah, he probably wanted to win, but there is that subconsciousness as well where he knows it’s not that important.”
The Premier League’s points system—five for a night win, three for a final, two for a semi, one for a quarter—means early hiccups are survivable for a talent like Littler, who’s topped the Order of Merit. Van Gerwen’s triumph, his first night win since last season, signals the old guard’s resilience, while Humphries’ narrow escape keeps the rivalry pot boiling.
All eyes now turn to Night 2 in Antwerp, where Littler faces Humphries in a blockbuster quarter-final. The world champion will be hungry to silence doubters, proving whether Edgar’s concerns are a fleeting blip or a blueprint for rivals to exploit. In a league of legends and rising stars, Littler’s journey is far from over—but this opening-night jolt reminds us that even the mighty Nuke has a chink in his armor. As the season unfolds across Europe, expect fireworks, fierce competition, and perhaps a retooled Littler ready to explode back to the top. Darts fans, buckle up.
I think Edgar talks rubbish, my bet is Luke Littler never picked up a dart since his win in the Masters from the previous Sunday, he lost his first game last season and went on to top the table, you can’t get ready for every Tournament there’s too many these day’s ask the Greatest Darts Player of all time Mr Taylor, i’m almost certain he would agree.