Luke Littler, one of the most exciting young talents in darts, has expressed his dissatisfaction with a particular aspect of the Grand Slam of Darts tournament: the absence of walk-on music during the group stages. The 17-year-old, who has made a significant impact on the darts scene this year, has become synonymous with his walk-on song, Pitbull’s *Greenlight*. However, fans hoping to see him stride onto the stage to the upbeat track this past weekend were left disappointed, as the tournament’s early rounds do not include personalized walk-on music for players.
Despite this setback, Littler had reason to celebrate after thrashing Keane Barry 5-0 in his opening group match at the Wolverhampton event. The victory was a strong statement of intent from the teenage sensation, who has consistently impressed on the circuit this year. Littler’s walk-on music has become a key part of his routine and a crowd favorite. It helps him get into the competitive mindset and fires up the fans, who often join in. Speaking to Sky Sports after his victory, Littler voiced his desire to reach the knockout stages, where walk-on music is reinstated, saying, “Hopefully I get my walk-on if I get out of the group! I don’t like walking on with someone else. When I came on the stage, all the fans are singing my walk-on, so it gets me up for it. It gets me ready, and I’m glad I won tonight.”
Littler’s journey this year has been nothing short of remarkable. The teenager, affectionately known as “The Nuke,” has enjoyed tremendous success, including winning the Premier League Darts, reaching the World Darts Championship final, and claiming victory in several European events. However, his performances on television have been somewhat inconsistent, leading to a mixed record in major tournaments. Littler’s struggles in televised events were evident when he was knocked out in the first rounds of both the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix. Determined to improve on this record, Littler sees the Grand Slam of Darts as an opportunity to prove himself.
He shared his motivation and preparation ahead of the event, stating, “I’ve been practising. Obviously, my major tournaments, it isn’t the best record. I just focused on tonight, and I wanted to make a statement: I’m here to win.” Littler’s determination to perform on the big stage reflects his hunger for success and desire to establish himself as one of the leading figures in darts. His early victory in the group stage is an encouraging sign that he is ready to take on the best in the sport.
The Grand Slam of Darts features a distinctive format, beginning with a group stage before transitioning to a knockout phase. Littler, a passionate Manchester United supporter, playfully likened the tournament’s structure to watching Champions League football. “It’s just like watching the football, watching the Champions League—the group stage,” he remarked. “I’ve been leading up to it, practising well. I’m going to enjoy it, and I’m really glad tonight. I want to top the group, but obviously everyone wants to. There’s a bonus for finishing top as well. I just want to get out of the group stage, focus on the first-to-10 legs, and hopefully go on and on.”
Having secured a commanding victory over Keane Barry, Littler is now focused on advancing through a group that also features tough competitors Dimitri van den Bergh and Lourence Ilagan. Topping the group would not only grant him a more favorable path in the knockout rounds but would also bring him closer to a major payday. If he wins the Grand Slam of Darts, Littler could surpass the £1 million mark in prize money, with the tournament’s £150,000 winner’s check adding to the £870,000 he has already earned this year. Such a financial milestone would underscore the rapid rise of one of darts’ brightest stars.
As the tournament progresses, Littler’s fans will be eager to see him walk out to *Greenlight* once more—a symbol of his electrifying presence in the sport. His passion, talent, and ambition have made him a fan favorite, and his quest to achieve even greater success continues to captivate audiences. The Grand Slam of Darts represents another opportunity for Littler to solidify his status as one of the sport’s top contenders, and he appears more determined than ever to seize it. Whether he can navigate the challenges of the tournament and emerge victorious remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Luke Littler is a name to watch, and he’s here to make his mark.