Littler treats friends to an outing and gets to take another lap of honor with the World Championship trophy

Just over a month after his million-pound triumph at the World Darts Championship, Luke Littler celebrated his success in a different way. The world champion took a group of friends to a match of rugby club Warrington Wolves, who opened the season with a 24-14 win over St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

During halftime fresh off Premier League action, Littler, a well-known fan of the club, was invited to show his world title trophy to the crowd. He made a lap of honor past the stands with the World Championship trophy, less than a week after presenting the same cup at Manchester United’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Although the reception was less exuberant than a year earlier, when Warrington’s stadium was temporarily renamed “The Luke Littler Stadium” to mark his homecoming, the young Englishman clearly enjoyed the evening. He also watched his favorite club secure their first league points of the season.

Afterward, Littler said he had shared his success with those close to him. “Brilliant first-half display. Me and about 15 of us lads, we’ve come here tonight. I’ve paid for the tickets, help the lads out, but what a performance so far," he told Sky Sports.

The 19-year-old made history early last month by becoming the first player ever to win a £1 million top prize at the World Darts Championship. In the final he convincingly defeated Gian van Veen 7-1. With that, Littler joined Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson as a player who managed to defend his world title.

Meanwhile, on Thursday evening Littler revealed that he has recently been struggling with flu symptoms. He shared that after his semifinal defeat to Michael van Gerwen on Night Two of the Premier League in Antwerp. The Dutchman won the match 6-4.

Before that match, Littler had already indicated he was not fully fit. “A bit of flu going on but this is darts, we’ve just got to get on with it. My game at the minute is going well, playing well. Last week didn’t go to plan but it’s a fresh week.

The Englishman also spoke positively about his previous successes in Belgium. “Everyone knows, I’ve said it for the past two years, I’ve won both European tours in Belgium, get a Premier League here. The PDC have sorted it.”