In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where rivalries ignite under bright lights and massive crowds, Luke Littler has made his feelings crystal clear about his burgeoning feud with Gian van Veen. After the Dutchman exacted sweet revenge in Newcastle last week, the 19-year-old world number one and two-time world champion insists he is thriving on the competition—and predicts plenty more fireworks ahead.
The showdown came on the opening night of the 2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts at the Utilita Arena. Van Veen, making his Premier League debut and fresh off his runner-up finish at the World Championship, edged out Littler 6-4 in a tense quarter-final. It was a stark reversal from just weeks earlier, when Littler had dismantled the 23-year-old 7-1 in the Alexandra Palace final to retain his world title. Averages hovered around 96-97 for both players, but Van Veen proved more clinical on his doubles, converting six out of 14 attempts while Littler managed only four from 12. The Dutchman seized the moment when it mattered, punishing a missed double from Littler and advancing to face Jonny Clayton in the semis.
This wasn’t their first clash. Littler had already claimed the World Youth Championship title over Van Veen in 2023, only for the roles to reverse in 2024 when Van Veen triumphed after Littler fell to women’s star Beau Greaves. Now, as current world No. 3, Van Veen is riding a wave, and Littler is loving every second of it. “It’s really good for darts,” he reflected. “Obviously Gian’s done really well for himself. Looking back a few years ago we were both in the World Youth Championship final – and now we’re both in the Premier League along with Josh Rock.”
With Rock, 24, rounding out the young guns in this year’s elite lineup, Littler sees a golden era unfolding. “With me, him and Gian it’s very good for us young players in the Premier League. Full credit to Gian – he’s deserved it in Newcastle but there will be more battles to come over the next 15 weeks.”
Littler admitted the defeat stung in familiar fashion—he lost by the same 6-4 scoreline on opening night last year—but shrugged it off with characteristic poise. “I’m feeling really good – even in the Premier League last year I lost 6-4 and that happened again this year. We move onto this week in Belgium – it’s the first one they’ve had there and they’ve sold about 20,000 tickets, so I want to win that one.”
The Premier League’s nomadic format promises 16 weeks of relentless battles before the grand finale at The O2 in London. Littler, already a champion in 2024 and a World Masters winner just days before the Premier League kicked off (beating Luke Humphries in a thriller for £100,000), is laser-focused on reclaiming the trophy. He knows the competition is fierce: Michael van Gerwen is back and hungry, Gerwyn Price brings power, and newcomers like Van Veen and Rock add unpredictability. Yet Littler’s message is optimistic. The rise of these young talents isn’t just good for them—it’s electrifying the sport, drawing record crowds and inspiring a new generation.
Away from the oche, Littler continues to embrace his superstar status in charming ways. Just days after the Newcastle loss, he stunned patrons at The Feathers Inn in Lichfield during a surprise visit for KP Nuts’ “Nuts for Darts” campaign. The family-run pub, randomly selected from hundreds of entries, hosted an exclusive darts night with the “Nuke” himself. “Nights like this are what it’s all about,” Littler beamed. “No-one expected me to walk in and it was a really great night… The atmosphere was unreal—everyone was so welcoming and up for a game. KP Nuts have been brilliant at helping bring moments like this to life, and I loved meeting the locals and throwing a few darts with them!”
These grassroots touches remind fans why Littler remains so relatable despite his meteoric success. At just 19, he’s already a two-time world champion, world No. 1, and a household name. But he treats every opponent with respect, especially Van Veen. “Full credit to Gian,” he reiterated, acknowledging the Dutchman’s grit after the Ally Pally drubbing.
As the caravan rolls into Antwerp this Thursday for Week 2—Belgium’s Premier League debut with a sell-out crowd—expect Littler to bounce back with fire. Van Veen will be waiting somewhere down the line, and so will Rock, Humphries, and the rest. The young guns are here to stay, and Littler couldn’t be happier. “There will be more battles to come,” he promised. In darts, the only certainty is drama—and this rivalry is just getting started.
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