Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen have emerged as fierce competitors during the 2024 Premier League Darts campaign, and their rivalry is becoming one of the most compelling storylines of the season. Both players, representing different generations of the sport, have consistently showcased their skills, but it’s their banter off the oche that has also captured the attention of fans and pundits alike. Despite their intense battles on the dartboard, the two have managed to build a lighthearted relationship, with Van Gerwen dubbing Littler “kebab boy,” a nickname that has now become part of their playful exchanges.
On Night 12 of the Premier League in Rotterdam, neither Littler nor Van Gerwen delivered their best performances, as both were eliminated in the first round. Littler was defeated 6-3 by Michael Smith, while Van Gerwen, playing in front of his home crowd, disappointed his Dutch fans with a 6-4 loss to Luke Humphries. However, with only four events remaining before the top four players secure their spots in the Premier League Darts play-offs at the O2 Arena on May 23, Littler and Van Gerwen are still in strong contention. Littler currently sits in second place, tied on points with Luke Humphries, while Van Gerwen is in fourth.
Although the rivalry between Littler and Van Gerwen is clear when they compete, there seems to be a mutual respect and friendly rapport between the two off the stage. Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, has been vocal about his admiration for the young star but has also taken the opportunity to poke fun at him. When the two met in Rotterdam, Van Gerwen greeted Littler with, “Hey there, kebab boy,” referencing a now-famous anecdote from Littler’s rise to prominence.
Littler earned the nickname during his remarkable run to the PDC World Championship final at Alexandra Palace over Christmas and New Year. After his opening-round win over Christian Kist, the 17-year-old revealed in a post-match interview that he celebrated the victory with his favorite take-away meal: a kebab and a soft drink. The story quickly went viral, and Littler found himself inundated with offers of free kebabs and even potential sponsorship deals from various fast-food outlets.
Van Gerwen, known for his competitive edge and witty comments, has fully embraced the nickname and frequently uses it to address Littler. Speaking to the media before the tournament in Rotterdam, Van Gerwen explained, “We are always egging each other on, and that’s what I always call him. Kebab boy.” However, when asked whether Littler had a nickname for him in return, the Dutchman laughed and remarked, “I don’t know, but he doesn’t dare say it yet, I think. I’m twice that boy’s age, right?”
The age gap between the two players has been a recurring theme in their interactions. Van Gerwen, now 34 years old, is a seasoned veteran of the sport, while Littler is still a teenager at 17. Their difference in experience is evident, but Van Gerwen has taken on a somewhat mentor-like role, advising Littler on what to expect as his career progresses. Earlier in the season, Van Gerwen warned that Littler’s “honeymoon period” on the PDC Tour would eventually end, and that he would need to prepare himself for the inevitable ups and downs of professional darts.
Their rivalry reached a peak during a Premier League semi-final in Newcastle back in February. The match, which was locked at 5-5, featured an intense moment when Littler appeared to snub a fist-bump from Van Gerwen before the deciding leg. Instead of acknowledging the gesture, Littler turned his back, igniting speculation about possible tension between the two players. However, Van Gerwen has since downplayed the incident, insisting there is no bad blood between them. “We just have a good relationship, but real conversations we haven’t had,” Van Gerwen said. “I sometimes ask him something, but it’s always darts-related. So should I start talking politics with a 17-year-old guy?”
Van Gerwen also jokingly acknowledged the generational gap between them, saying, “If you ask him about Manchester United, he knows everything. That’s a generation gap.” Littler is known to be a passionate supporter of Manchester United, and while their conversations remain focused on darts, it’s clear that the veteran Van Gerwen recognizes the differences in their perspectives.
So far in 2024, Littler and Van Gerwen have faced each other eight times on the PDC Tour, with their head-to-head record standing evenly at 4-4. Their rivalry has produced some thrilling matches, and both players are eager to gain the upper hand as they head into the final stretch of the Premier League season. With just a few events remaining before the play-offs, every point counts, and both Littler and Van Gerwen will be looking to secure their places at the O2 Arena.
The next opportunity for the two to clash could come in Liverpool when the Premier League heads to the M&S Bank Arena. While they are on opposite sides of the draw for that event, a potential meeting in the final looms large. Whether or not Littler can continue to hold his own against Van Gerwen remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: their rivalry is only just beginning, and fans can expect many more exciting battles between “kebab boy” and the Dutch legend in the future.