Luke Littler named in Premier League Darts line-up after sensational exploits at Ally Pally

Luke Littler named in Premier League Darts line-up after sensational exploits at Ally Pally

WATCH NOW: Luke Humphries discusses his victory over Luke Littler at the World Darts Championship

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 04/01/2024

- 16:02

The 16-year-old recently reached the final of the World Darts Championship

Luke Littler has been named in the line-up for this year's Premier League in the wake of his sensational performances over the past few weeks.

The 16-year-old is the talk of the country right now after recently making the final of the World Darts Championship.


Littler was outstanding throughout the tournament, seeing off the likes of Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross at Alexandra Palace to delight fans around the world.

And though he lost to Luke Humphries in Wednesday night's final, he's being tipped to achieve greatness in the coming years ahead.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler is set to play in this year's Premier League Darts

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Littler had previously suggested he'd jump at the chance to play in the Premier League.

And the youngster has now got his wish, with the 16-year-old one of eight players to make the cut.

Humphries, Cross, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall and Peter Wright will all play in the competition as well.

Littler will be hopeful of reigning supreme amid his brilliant form.

But he certainly won't have it easy, especially with top players such as Van Gerwen, Price, Humphries and Cross making the cut.

Former darts stars Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster both said prior to Thursday's announcement that Littler should make the cut.

Mardle told Sky Sports: "I've been in the Premier League a couple of times and you get a gauge and a guide of who should be in and who shouldn't.

"First off, are you good enough? The answer with Luke Littler is yes.

"What does he bring to the table? Does he bring viewers? Does he put bums on seats?

"Will there be any kind of media around him that can grow the game? Yeah, it's an absolute no-brainer.

"For me? Yeah, he'll take to it like a duck to water."

And Webster added: "I don't know how they can ignore him.

"The score lines, the stats, the averages - he has just dispatched the players throughout every round.

"He's a special talent and whilst he's playing like this, he would be a great addition to the Premier League.

"The coverage he brings with him as well and he's a young player, so he's got a big appetite.

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Luke Littler

Luke Littler is on top of the world following his excellent performances at the World Darts Championship

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"The Premier League's designed for Luke Littler and I'm pretty certain he'll be in it."

Littler, meanwhile, insists he hasn't lost 'much' after his defeat to Humphries - while also admitting he was 'angry' as the match slipped away from him.

He said: "It's sunk in, no one likes losing and I've not really lost much.

Luke Humphries

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries will both jostle for Premier League Darts glory

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"But to lose on that stage you can't be angry at yourself.

"The only thing I was angry with was I was losing a lot of legs on my throw, so Luke would then break, hold and then I'd just be chasing every set really."

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