Darts sensation Luke Littler has openly acknowledged his burgeoning rivalry with fellow young talent Gian van Veen, expressing enthusiasm for their ongoing competition as the Premier League Darts season intensifies. The 19-year-old world number one, known as 'The Nuke', anticipates many more thrilling encounters with the Dutchman, who recently defeated him in Newcastle.
Youthful Rivalry Takes Centre Stage
Littler, a two-time world champion, suffered a loss to 23-year-old Van Veen during the Premier League's opening week in Newcastle. This result marked a reversal from their previous meeting at Alexandra Palace earlier this year, where Littler emerged victorious in the final. Their competitive history dates back to 2023, when Littler defeated Van Veen to claim the world youth championship title.
The Dutchman, currently ranked third globally, later gained redemption by securing glory last year after Littler's unexpected defeat to women's darts star Beau Greaves. This back-and-forth dynamic has created one of the sport's most compelling young rivalries.
Premier League's Young Guns
Littler emphasized the positive impact of youthful talent on professional darts, highlighting the presence of multiple young players in this year's Premier League lineup. Alongside Van Veen, 24-year-old Josh Rock completes a trio of emerging stars making their mark on the sport's premier competition.
"It's really good for darts," Littler stated. "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 me, him and Gian it's very good for us young players in the Premier League."
Antwerp Awaits
The Premier League moves to Belgium for its second week, with Antwerp hosting a darts event for the first time. Approximately 20,000 tickets have been sold for Thursday's competition, creating an electric atmosphere that Littler hopes to conquer.
"Full credit to Gian – he's deserved it in Newcastle but there will be more battles to come over the next 15 weeks," Littler declared. "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."
Surprise Pub Visit
Littler's comments followed a surprise appearance at The Feathers Inn in Lichfield, where he hosted an exclusive darts night as part of KP Nuts' 'Nuts for Darts' campaign. The initiative celebrates grassroots darts while supporting Britain's traditional pub culture.
The family-run establishment was randomly selected from hundreds of entries nationwide to host the Warrington-born darts star, who recently claimed the Winmau World Masters championship in Milton Keynes. Littler described the unexpected visit as a highlight, praising the welcoming atmosphere and community spirit.
"Nights like this are what it's all about," he reflected. "No-one expected me to walk in and it was a really great night. Ever since I've worked with KP they've had this idea – and this lucky pub has won the competition. The atmosphere was unreal - everyone was so welcoming and up for a game."
Celebrating Grassroots Darts
Littler enthusiastically endorsed KP Nuts' campaign for its role in championing local pubs as community hubs and promoting darts at the grassroots level. The initiative aligns with the sport's traditional roots in British pub culture while introducing new audiences to professional darts.
"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!" Littler exclaimed, emphasizing the importance of connecting with fans beyond tournament venues.
As the Premier League season progresses, all eyes will be on Antwerp to see whether Littler can reclaim momentum against his Dutch rival Van Veen, continuing their compelling rivalry that promises to shape darts' future landscape.
