Luke Littler loses World Championship rematch with below-par Premier League efficiency
Luke Littler has lost his first game of the 2026 Premier League Darts campaign.
Littler, 19, was up against Gian van Veen, who he bested in the final of the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship at the turn of the year, in his first Premier Legaue clash of the season. The Nuke won the tournament on debut in 2024.
However, it was his rival, Luke Humphries, who bested him in the 2025 season. And Littler, keen to get his hands on the torphy once again, squared off with Van Veen in Newcastle on Night One of the 2026 edition.
The Nuke struggled on the outer-ring throughout the contest, allowing Van Veen, who was also below par, more chances at the board.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Dan Dawson said: “Van Veen shakes his head because he has just become the first player to beat Littler in a premier event for months and he has not even played his A-game.
“A statement result for the Dutchman.”
“What the heck just happened to Littler? He didn’t even seem like he was trying,” one fan said on social media. While a second shared: “Littler looked fatigued from doing Icon Swaps!”
“Turns out Littler is human after all,” a third posted. As a fourth joked: “Wow! That’s a way to make your PL debut, Statement victory from Van Veen. Littler miles off it!”
And another added: “Well in Van Veen. Littler will throw his kebab out of his pram tonight after that!”
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