Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Aaron Bower at Utilita Arena, Cardiff

Luke Littler takes Premier League debut in stride despite semi-final loss

Michael Smith (left) embraces Luke Littler as he celebrates victory in the Premier League semi-final.
Luke Littler (right) was beaten 6-5 by Michael Smith in the semi-final on the first night of the 2024 Premier League. Photograph: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images

It was, in truth, everywhere you looked. The Luke Littler merchandise was vast and plentiful but it was topped by the rather peculiar sight of a custom-made shirt with his face adorned all over on it. You can now, somewhat unnervingly, even purchase a Littler-themed Valentine’s Day card. Make no mistake about it, Littlermania has taken over darts and the sport has enjoyed an incredible momentum shift in the past few weeks thanks to the performances of one fearless teenager. This Thursday evening in Cardiff helped reinforce that even further.

The sport’s most prestigious invitational event, the Premier League, has long been one of the highlights of the darting calendar and is often played in front of sell-out crowds all over Europe. But this, the opening night of the 2024 edition, felt different for one very obvious reason. Some things never change, of course, such as the vociferous roar for the hometown hero, in this case Gerwyn Price, as the darting roadshow descended on the Welsh capital.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.