In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision and focus reign supreme, Michael van Gerwen has thrown a lighthearted dart of his own at his young rival, Luke Littler. The three-time world champion, known for his fierce competitiveness and sharp wit, recently revealed why he’d never share a drink with the 18-year-old prodigy, citing a habit he finds “really disgusting.” As the two prepare to face off in the Premier League Darts opener in Belfast on April 17, 2025, van Gerwen’s cheeky comment has added a layer of banter to their already intense rivalry, delighting fans and setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
Van Gerwen, a 35-year-old Dutchman who has dominated darts for over a decade, is no stranger to the sport’s quirky rituals. However, one particular practice among players—licking their hands before throwing to improve grip—has him wrinkling his nose in distaste. “You have a lot of players who have rituals,” he shared on the Darts Draait Door podcast last December. “Before the match, they lick their entire hand. You really have a lot of them. I find that really disgusting.” While he didn’t name Littler directly, the context of their upcoming clash and Littler’s habit of shaking hands and embracing opponents mid-match has fans connecting the dots. Van Gerwen, who prefers a fist bump over a handshake, added with a grin, “I really don’t do that. I actually always do a boxing match, just to be safe.”
The comment comes as Littler, the reigning world champion, continues to take the darts world by storm. At just 18, he’s already etched his name in history, defeating van Gerwen in the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace with a commanding 7-3 scoreline. Littler’s meteoric rise, marked by his Premier League title and wins in Bahrain and Poland, has made him a fan favorite. His warm, respectful demeanor on the oche—regularly shaking hands with opponents like Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting—has won hearts but apparently clashes with van Gerwen’s more reserved approach. Sky Sports commentator Mark Webster even remarked that Littler and Bunting’s frequent handshakes and hugs during their semi-final showed “too much respect,” a sentiment van Gerwen seems to echo in his own humorous way.
The Belfast showdown, a rematch of their World Championship final, is steeped in anticipation. Littler, reflecting on their rivalry, acknowledged van Gerwen’s hunger for redemption. “He’s going to be up for it, he’s going to be hungry, but I’m up for it as the reigning champion,” he said, exuding confidence. The teenager, who admitted to feeling nerves only in the final moments of their Ally Pally clash, is eager to defend his Premier League crown. “The first win last year came here in Belfast, so I have got good memories here, and I want to kick on,” he added. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, has been vocal about his determination to reclaim his dominance, having swept aside Chris Dobey 6-1 in the World Championship semi-finals. His only slip-up came in a post-match interview when he let slip an F-bomb, saying, “I’ve won f*** all yet,” a moment that drew chuckles from the crowd.
Beyond the banter, van Gerwen’s comments highlight the cultural quirks of darts, where personal rituals can be as distinctive as a player’s throw. Stars like Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross are known to lick their fingers for better grip, a habit van Gerwen finds off-putting but accepts as part of the game’s diversity. For Littler, whose rapid ascent has brought intense scrutiny, such lighthearted jabs are just another hurdle. His response to van Gerwen’s earlier criticism—when the Dutchman called him out for arriving 45 minutes late to a Belfast photoshoot—shows his ability to brush off pressure. “You know what Michael’s like. He called me lazy. I was just laughing at him,” Littler said, proving he can match van Gerwen’s verbal volleys with ease.
As the darts world turns its eyes to Belfast, the clash between van Gerwen’s experience and Littler’s youthful exuberance promises to be electric. The Dutchman’s refusal to share a pint with Littler may be a playful exaggeration, but it underscores their contrasting styles—van Gerwen’s no-nonsense grit versus Littler’s warm, approachable charm. Whether they’re trading 180s or witty barbs, one thing is certain: this rivalry is injecting fresh energy into darts, and fans can’t wait to see who comes out on top.