In a dramatic twist that has sent ripples through the darts world, reigning PDC World Champion Luke Littler has withdrawn from the upcoming European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, Germany, set for May 9-11, 2025. The 18-year-old prodigy, nicknamed ‘The Nuke’ for his explosive scoring power, made the decision following a series of hostile encounters with German crowds, most notably during his semi-final defeat at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich last month. Littler’s choice to skip the event, one of the PDC’s prestigious European Tour tournaments, underscores the emotional toll of fan backlash and has sparked heated debate about player treatment and crowd behavior in the sport.
Littler’s troubles in Germany began to surface prominently during the 2025 season. At the German Darts Grand Prix in April, he faced a barrage of boos and cheers for his opponents, a stark contrast to the adulation he typically receives in the UK. Despite a stellar run that saw him dispatch Cam Crabtree 6-1 with a 107.1 average and edge out Joe Cullen and Peter Wright, Littler was outplayed by Gian van Veen in the semi-finals. The 22-year-old Dutchman, backed by a fervent Munich crowd, posted a blistering 110.81 average to Littler’s 95.78, securing a 7-4 victory. Moments after the loss, Littler took to Instagram, posting a picture of a car footwell with the caption, “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway. Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that.” This pointed message hinted at his frustration and foreshadowed his decision to bypass future German events until the European Tour finale in Dortmund in October.
The Munich experience wasn’t an isolated incident. Littler has faced hostility in Germany before, including during a 2024 European Tour event in Hildesheim, where he was booed against Peter Wright and lost, andმოჄ. He recalled that match, saying, “I got booed in Hildesheim last year against Peter Wright on the European Tour. I was flying and then they started booing me and I lost.” Earlier this year, at a Premier League night in Berlin, he struggled with crowd animosity, admitting, “I had a little headloss moment, as some of us players do. I just don’t get it, and I can’t explain it. Obviously, you do your walk-on, but then as soon as I got on stage, I started getting booed.” These experiences have clearly weighed on the teenager, who is accustomed to being a fan favorite, a phenomenon dubbed “Littlermania” for sparking a surge in darts’ popularity.
Littler’s withdrawal from the European Darts Grand Prix, announced on May 1, 2025, has divided opinions. Some fans and pundits have criticized the move as “childish,” warning that the PDC could take disciplinary action, while others, including German player Max Hopp, have defended Littler, highlighting the intense pressure young players face. Hopp, who served as a pundit in Berlin, acknowledged Littler’s transformative impact on darts, noting that alongside world No. 1 Luke Humphries, he’s driving unprecedented interest in the sport. Yet, Littler’s social media post and subsequent withdrawal suggest he’s prioritizing his mental well-being, especially as he prepares for a high-stakes Premier League clash with Michael van Gerwen in Birmingham, just hours after the announcement.
The European Darts Grand Prix, the fifth leg of the 2025 European Tour, will proceed without Littler, with top seeds like Humphries, Van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price expected to headline. Littler’s absence is a blow to fans, given his history of electrifying performances, such as his 6-0 whitewash of Arno Merk at the 2024 Grand Prix, where he averaged 101. His decision also aligns with a broader strategy to manage his schedule, as he hinted after winning the Austrian Darts Open in 2024: “If I do well then obviously if I get into the other majors and I’ve secured myself then I can just drop out of stuff and take the days off as chilling and look onto the next thing.”
As Littler, who has won 13 PDC titles including the 2025 World Championship at just 17, navigates the pressures of stardom, his withdrawal raises questions about the balance between player welfare and fan expectations. Will he return to Germany stronger, or will this feud mark a turning point in his relationship with European crowds? For now, ‘The Nuke’ is focusing on the battles ahead, leaving Sindelfingen to wait for his explosive return.
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