World No. 1 Luke Littler is absent from the Dutch Darts Championship, which runs from October 16 to 18 in Maastricht, after being subjected to intense booing from Dutch fans at a previous event. The 19-year-old has officially cancelled his registration for the tournament, fulfilling a threat to boycott European Tour events hosted in the Netherlands.
Hostile reception in Amsterdam
During the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, Littler faced relentless booing and persistent whistling from Dutch supporters, particularly during his match against local favourite Danny Noppert and his close defeat to Nathan Aspinall. The hostile atmosphere prompted a firm response from the darts star.
Following the reception, Littler warned that he would stop travelling to compete in European Tour events in the Netherlands if the disrespectful treatment continued. His withdrawal from the Dutch Darts Championship marks the execution of that warning.
Broader withdrawals and past tensions
In addition to pulling out of the Dutch Darts Championship, Littler also withdrew from Players Championship 29 and 30 events in Den Bosch, signalling a broader refusal to participate in Dutch-hosted competitions. The hostility from Dutch fans may stem from previous incidents, including an April 2026 Premier League match in Manchester, where Littler mocked Dutch player Gian van Veen with a "crybaby" gesture after losing, and subsequently taunted him on Instagram.
This stand against hostile spectator behaviour is not an isolated incident. Littler had previously initiated a similar boycott against competing in Germany, including missing the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich, due to similar hostile treatment from local crowds. His absence from the Dutch Darts Championship extends this pattern of refusing to compete where he faces persistent disrespect from fans.
