“Last year I also lost to Michael van Gerwen on opening night” – Luke Littler avoids putting extra pressure on himself after early exit to Van Veen

Luke Littler endured a disappointing start to his 2026 Premier League Darts campaign. The 19-year-old world champion lost his opening match to Dutchman Gian van Veen. Tonight, on Night Two in Antwerp, ‘The Nuke’ faces another tough opponent.

In his quarterfinal at the AFAS Dome in Antwerp, Belgium, he will take on the world number 2 and his biggest rival in recent years: Luke Humphries.

However, Littler has fond memories of Belgium, and Antwerp in particular. Last year he won the Flanders Darts Trophy, held in the same city. He also claimed the European Tour event in Wieze two years running.

He now hopes to extend this strong run in Belgium in the Premier League. To do that, he will have to overcome his major rival Luke Humphries. Beyond the fact he is always motivated to beat ‘Cool Hand Luke’, he may be especially fired up tonight to get off that unwanted zero points.

"Every stage is different in my opinion," Littler said, who set a record last year by winning six nights. “I’m not under any pressure and I don’t need to put pressure on myself."

Despite last week’s early exit, Littler is not overly concerned. “I know I lost to Gian on Night One, but last year I lost to Michael van Gerwen [on Night One] as well. There’s still 15 weeks left, so as long as I get into the top four, that’s all that matters.”

If Littler wins his quarterfinal opener against his namesake Humphries tonight, he will face the winner of the match between Michael van Gerwen and Josh Rock in the semifinal.