In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where rivalries are as sharp as the tungsten tips of the darts themselves, Michael van Gerwen has made headlines not for his throws but for a personal stance that’s raised eyebrows. The three-time world champion, known for his fierce competitiveness and commanding presence on the oche, recently revealed why he’ll never sit down for a pint with Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy who’s taken the sport by storm. This revelation, shared ahead of a Premier League showdown in Liverpool, adds a new layer to their already compelling rivalry.
Van Gerwen, a teetotaler who has famously never touched alcohol, explained his position with characteristic bluntness. “I’ve never drunk a beer in my life. It’s disgusting!” he declared during a lively interview with talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs. The Dutchman’s aversion to alcohol isn’t new, but his comments come at a time when Littler, now of legal drinking age in the UK, has begun to socialize more openly with his peers on the PDC circuit. According to fellow player Nathan Aspinall, Littler isn’t much of a beer enthusiast either, preferring the sweet tang of Strongbow Dark Fruits cider. Yet, for Van Gerwen, the idea of bonding over any drink—alcoholic or not—seems off the table with the young star.
The backdrop to this story is the intense rivalry that has developed between the two players. Littler, nicknamed ‘The Nuke,’ burst onto the darts scene with a historic victory over Van Gerwen in the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship final, becoming the youngest world champion ever at just 18. That win at Alexandra Palace in January marked a turning point, cementing Littler’s status as a generational talent and sparking a competitive dynamic with Van Gerwen that’s both professional and personal. “He’s growing in confidence now that he’s able to have a drink with the other players,” Van Gerwen noted, acknowledging Littler’s increasing comfort in the sport’s social circles. But for the Dutch veteran, who’s won the Premier League seven times, the camaraderie stops short of a shared beverage.
This isn’t just about personal taste. Van Gerwen’s comments hint at a deeper divide, one rooted in their contrasting approaches to the game and life off the stage. Littler, with his laid-back demeanor and penchant for a “chilled week off” between tournaments, represents a new breed of player—talented, confident, and unafraid to enjoy the perks of his success. Van Gerwen, by contrast, is a product of an earlier era, one where relentless dedication and a no-nonsense attitude defined the path to greatness. “I find it surprising that he already shows some reluctance about going to tournaments,” Van Gerwen remarked in a separate interview, reflecting on Littler’s selective approach to the Pro Tour. For Van Gerwen, such a mindset would have been “unthinkable” at Littler’s age.
Their rivalry played out vividly in Liverpool on April 24, 2025, during night 12 of the Premier League. Littler, a proud Manchester United fan, faced a hostile crowd at the M&S Bank Arena, where his allegiance to the Red Devils earned him boos from the Liverpool faithful. Despite racing to a 4-0 lead against Van Gerwen in the quarter-finals, Littler faltered, allowing the Dutchman to claw back and secure a dramatic 6-5 victory. The match was a microcosm of their dynamic: Littler’s explosive talent pitted against Van Gerwen’s resilience and experience. “He threw brilliantly, but I managed to get back into it,” Van Gerwen said afterward, a nod to his ability to weather the storm.
Off the oche, their interactions are laced with banter and mind games. Littler has spoken openly about the practice room antics, where players like Van Gerwen try to “get in each other’s heads” before matches. A lighthearted moment captured in a Cinch UK promotional video saw the two joking in a car, with Van Gerwen teasing Littler about his favorite food—a sweet chili chicken wrap—while Littler asked which celebrity Van Gerwen would like to be for a day. These moments of levity contrast with the intensity of their competition, but Van Gerwen’s refusal to share a drink underscores a boundary he’s unwilling to cross.
As Littler continues to dominate the Premier League, leading the standings with 30 points, and Van Gerwen fights to secure a play-off spot, their rivalry is set to define the 2025 season. Whether it’s on the board or in the practice room, the tension between the veteran and the young star is palpable. For now, fans hoping to see them clink glasses in a post-match toast will be disappointed. As Van Gerwen put it, “The elusive swift half with Littler remains off the table.” But in the world of darts, where every throw counts, it’s clear that their battle is far from over.