The world No. 1 talks darts with the Men In Blazers, as well as his passion for soccer, the 2026 World Cup in the United States, and his love for Manchester United.
Madison Square Garden: An Event That’s Become Special
A regular at the US Darts Masters for the past three years, Littler has yet to lift the New York trophy, but the 2026 edition had a special feel to it. With the World Cup being held in the United States, English fans flooded the arena, transforming the atmosphere at the Garden.
“It’s hard not to spot an England jersey in the stands.”
Luke Littler, on the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden
In his first match, he hit a 180 before finishing with a double 1, only to lose to Luke Humphries. His opponent closed out the leg in 11 darts, whereas Littler would have needed nine to claim the title. By his own admission, he mostly just “had fun” in front of this crowd that was rooting for him.
As for his entrance, the Warrington prodigy walks out to Pitbull’s “Greenlight” a nod to WrestleMania 33, which he discovered as a child with his father. He even met the singer backstage in Dublin last year (Darts players walk-on song). For him, a good walk-on doesn’t disrupt his focus; above all, it helps him enjoy the moment and get the crowd going.
A darts session at the heart of the Three Lions’ camp
In March, head coach Thomas Tuchel invited Littler to the English training camp to organize a small in-house tournament and, in his own words, “teach the players a lesson.” The young man cleared the board with just a dozen darts, leaving the national team players speechless.
The player who impressed him the most with his darts skills:
Player | Littler’s take |
|---|---|
Phil Foden | The best on the dartboard, hitting a 180 just minutes before Littler arrived |
Aaron Ramsdale | Relentless in practice, wouldn’t let go of the dartboard |
John Stones | Part of the group that stayed to play while dinner got cold |
A telling anecdote about the atmosphere: the small group kept practicing for so long that they had to take a break to eat, before jumping right back into darts.
From No. 164 in the world to No. 1: a meteoric rise
Behind his laid-back demeanor lies an extraordinary journey. Littler recalls throwing his first darts as a young child at a magnetic dartboard, wearing his cap backward, before making the rounds at pub tournaments where he beat adults two to three times his age. The family’s routine revolved around the St. Helens Darts Academy, several nights a week.
Milestone | Milestone |
|---|---|
Toddler | First darts on a magnetic dartboard |
Age 10 | Bar tournaments, regular wins against adults |
16 | World Championship debut, youngest finalist in history |
Breakout star | Ranked No. 164 in the world when he first gained widespread public attention |
22 months later | Youngest world No. 1 in history |
Now the favorite at every tournament, he insists he isn’t fazed by this status. Wayne Rooney, with whom he’s discussed the pressure of early success, reportedly advised him to adopt a touch of arrogance to bring out his best. An attitude that, he says, comes naturally on the big stage: celebrating a 180 or a big finish is part of the show.
"Getting there is harder than staying there."
Luke Littler, on reaching the top
Soccer and darts: a fan first and foremost
A former decent soccer player (a winger who liked to cut inside on his left foot), Littler hung up his cleats around age 11 to devote himself to darts. His hero remains Cristiano Ronaldo, and he openly admits to preferring the Portuguese star over Lionel Messi. As for his collection, he took advantage of his time in New York to hunt for sports cards, including one signed by Zidane, a card of Adam Wharton, and one of Max Dowman.
A third-generation Manchester United fan, he has fond memories of Ronaldo’s return in 2021 and Sir Alex Ferguson’s final title. For the upcoming season, his expectations are modest: another Champions League berth and a domestic trophy, either the FA Cup or the League Cup.
2026 World Cup: Littler’s Predictions
In attendance at MetLife Stadium for England vs. Panama (a 2-0 victory), Littler shared his take on the tournament. He highlights a weakness at right back but firmly believes in the Three Lions’ potential.
Topic | Littler’s Take |
|---|---|
England vs. DR Congo (Round of 16) | Prediction: 2-0, or even 3-0 |
England’s Goal | Semifinals, finals, or the championship |
England's Best Player | Jude Bellingham, ahead of Harry Kane |
Dark horse for the title | France, for the quality of its offense |
Alongside Luke Humphries, he points out that he has already brought the Darts World Cup back to England. Now it’s up to the soccer players to get the job done on the field. His advice to the Three Lions: dig deep, fight until the very end, and never give up.
