Premier League win would mean everything – Littler

Luke Littler, the current world champion, says that keeping his title “would mean everything.”

The 18-year-old won the eight-player elite invitational tournament in his debut year in 2024, defeating Luke Humphries in the decider.

Littler will face Michael van Gerwen in Belfast on Thursday, the same venue where he won his first Premier League Darts game last year, in a repeat of the World Championship final from January.

Since last year, I am aware that these players will have to pull it out of the bag to defeat me,” Littler said.

“Up until the World Championships, I’m going to defend this one,” I said. “Probably the biggest one I’ll ever win.”

Premier League Darts takes place over 16 nights in February, March, April and May across the UK, Ireland and Europe, before the play-offs in London on 29 May.

Littler claims that his goal is to place in the top four at London’s O2 Arena on the night of the finals.

“I must finish in the top four, but I must also finish in the top four tomorrow night.”

” If it doesn’t happen, then I’ll reset but I’m hoping for a quick start tomorrow just like the world final.

Littler claimed that becoming a world champion after winning the Premier League title gave him the confidence to continue.

He claims that winning the World Championship was “a different feeling” than winning the Premier League title because he felt that people questioned his worth in the competition.

“I was going into my first Premier League as a wildcard, I would say”, Littler added.

“People were saying I wasn’t ready for it, but I just seized the chance as I could,” I said.

” Now I’ve won it, it gave me a lot of confidence going into the world tours, the Euro series and now I’m world champion. “

He says he has not watched his final back, only the match-winning throw.

” I’m just hoping to win that first game against Michael, get some points on the board and see from there, “he adds.

” He’s going to be up for it, he’s going to be hungry. Whoever wins tomorrow will be significant for both of us because I’m undoubtedly up for it as the reigning champion.

Quarter-final schedule – 6 February

Chris Dobey v Gerwyn Price

Stephen Bunting v Rob Cross

Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen