Luke Littler battles crowd to win Premier League Darts in Glasgow

In Glasgow, Scotland, on February 13, 2025, Luke Littler emerged victorious in the second night of the 2025 betMGM Premier League Darts. In a dramatic quarter-final match, Littler faced off against Rob Cross and came back from a 5-1 deficit to win 6-5. His impressive resilience set the tone for the evening as he prepared for further competition. In the semi-finals, he continued his strong performance against Michael van Gerwen, showcasing his skill with a commanding 6-2 victory. These results placed Littler firmly in the spotlight, particularly after his earlier defeat to van Gerwen in Belfast on February 6, 2025. The event, held at the OVO Hydro, was marked by notable controversy surrounding crowd behavior. During Littler's match against Luke Humphries, the crowd was accused of whistling and jeering, which disrupted the players. This unruly behavior prompted referee Kirk Bevins to intervene, a decision that Littler felt only escalated the situation. Despite the challenges posed by the crowd, Littler managed to secure a 6-5 victory over Humphries, winning the final two legs and affirming his position as a strong competitor. Littler's perseverance and determination throughout the evening drew both criticism of the crowd’s sportsmanship and praise for his competitive spirit. These matches were essential for the young darts star, not only because of their significance in the standings but also as a means to redeem himself after a slow start to the previous season. Last year, Littler took nine weeks to achieve his first victory. This time, he quickly made an impact, jumping to second place in the tournament standings with a decisive win. As the competitors continue to push towards the playoffs, Littler’s commitment to refining his performance will be crucial, as will addressing the alarming behavior of crowds which detracts from the sport’s integrity. Following this event, the Premier League Darts will move to Dublin for Night Three on February 20, where Littler is slated to face 2023 runner-up Gerwyn Price. Both players have a significant reputation to uphold, with Price having also shown formidable skill throughout the competition. As the tournament progresses, fans and commentators alike will be closely watching both Littler's performance and the audience's behavior, further underscoring the importance of maintaining respect within the sport.