Why Luke Littler is not playing in Dutch Darts Championship after being furiously booed
Luke Littler has made a decision after slamming treatment he's received from fans in certain events
Hostile reception from Dutch crowds: During the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, Luke Littler was subjected to intense, relentless booing and persistent whistling from Dutch fans, particularly during his match against local favourite Danny Noppert and his close defeat to Nathan Aspinall.
Underlying tension from past controversies: The hostility from Dutch supporters may stem largely 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.
Firm warning and threat of European Tour Boycotts: Following the intense crowd reaction in Amsterdam, the 19-year-old warned that he would stop travelling to compete in European Tour events hosted in the Netherlands if the disrespectful treatment continued.
Multiple event withdrawals across the country: Fulfilling his threat of a boycott, Littler officially cancelled his registration for the Dutch Darts Championship, which takes place in Maastricht from October 16 to 18. In addition to pulling out of the Dutch Darts Championship, he also withdrew from the Players Championship 29 and 30 events in Den Bosch, signalling a broader refusal to participate in Dutch-hosted competitions.
Pattern of prior boycotts in Germany: This stand against hostile spectator behaviour is not an isolated incident, as 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.
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