Luke Littler booed by Rotterdam crowd in Premier League defeat to Jonny Clayton

By Eleanor Crooks, Press Association Sport Correspondent

Dutch fans jeered Luke Littler as he lost to Premier League leader Jonny Clayton in the final in Rotterdam.

The world number one has not been forgiven for a spat with Dutchman Gian van Veen in Manchester two weeks ago and was relentlessly booed throughout the 11th night of action.

Littler came out determined to keep his cool and was true to his word throughout an opening 6-2 win over Gerwyn Price.

The Rotterdam crowd not giving Luke Littler the warmest welcome 👀 pic.twitter.com/ndUEe7qiZx

— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) April 16, 2026

The teenager allowed himself a fist pump after finishing the contest on a 124 checkout, telling Sky Sports of the atmosphere: “Exactly what I expected, the boos and whistles, but I knew as soon as I got on stage I could do my job.”

That could have set up a rematch with Van Veen but Luke Humphries found his form to claim a 6-2 win, and his semi-final against Littler was a thriller.

The 19-year-old responded to the crowd with a few gestures, which seemed to give him the edge, but a 5-2 lead slipped away before Littler eventually eked out a 6-5 victory.

Clayton’s path to the final started with a 6-2 victory over Michael van Gerwen, making it a blank night for the home stars, before he battled to a 6-5 win against Josh Rock.

CLAYTON RUNS RIOT IN ROTTERDAM!! 🟠🇳🇱

Jonny Clayton picks up a huge five points in Rotterdam to further increase his lead at the top of the table...

The Ferret is firing in the 2026 Premier League 🔥

📲 https://t.co/gFQK4rQ2wU#PLDarts pic.twitter.com/fILSMAn2eb

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 16, 2026

That set up a clash of this season’s top two in the final, and Littler made a storming start, opening with a 180 in an 11-dart leg and then breaking throw.

But he was unable to make it 3-0, and from there Clayton was the better player, with a 6-4 victory, meaning the Welshman sits five points clear at the top of the table.

“I don’t know what happened there,” said Clayton. “I had to do something special because it is my 20th anniversary tonight and I did forget so maybe this makes it all right.

“I started out slow but, the chances, you’ve got to take, and I’ve taken them again tonight, and that’s all that counts. Luke’s an amazing darts player. But this old dog has got some life in him yet.”