Darts sensation Luke Littler and his recent World Championship final opponent Gian van Veen are set to renew their rivalry on the opening night of the Premier League in Newcastle. This highly anticipated rematch comes just weeks after their blockbuster showdown at Alexandra Palace, which ended in a comprehensive 7-1 victory for Littler, securing his second world title.
Contrasting Perspectives on a One-Sided Final
The two players have offered strikingly different assessments of their memorable encounter at the Ally Pally. Defending champion Littler, who powered through the tournament to reach his third consecutive world final, faced the determined Van Veen, who was making his debut appearance in the latter stages of the competition.
For the 23-year-old Dutchman, the experience was a harsh lesson in elite-level darts. Van Veen openly acknowledged that he was completely outclassed by the teenage phenomenon, describing the defeat as being "smashed" in the final. He reflected that while reaching the final was an achievement, the manner of the loss was particularly difficult to accept.
Van Veen's Determination Despite Defeat
"It will drive me on very much," Van Veen stated after the final. "I know what it's like to play in the World Championship final now. I know what it's like to get really far in the tournament, but I also know what it's like to lose in the final. And I'll tell you, it doesn't feel great, of course, but especially to get smashed like I did today."
The Dutch player added: "But hopefully next year I'm going to win another couple of games because that's always the goal, always the goal in this tournament." This determination suggests Van Veen views the Premier League encounter as an opportunity for redemption against the player who dominated him so completely.
Littler's More Generous Assessment
In stark contrast to his opponent's assessment, the reigning world champion offered a more generous perspective on the final. Littler believes the contest was far tighter than the 7-1 scoreline suggests, noting that Van Veen had opportunities in every set and remained competitive throughout.
"The first set I wasn't happy but I kicked on from there and said to myself, 'Give it time and you'll find it' and it all went to plan," Littler confessed. "Credit to Gian, he's had a great tournament. He was there every set, so I had to take my chances."
Premier League Ambitions and Unfinished Business
The teenager enters this year's Premier League with particular motivation, as it remains one of the few major trophies not currently in his impressive cabinet. Luke Humphries dethroned the 19-year-old sensation last year after Littler's triumph in 2024, creating what the young star clearly views as unfinished business.
When questioned about last year's Premier League final defeat to Humphries, Littler admitted: "Obviously, it still hurts. It's one of those games. I let Luke back into it at 5-5 and then after the second break he kicked on and played the better darts."
The Long Road to The O2
Looking ahead to the 2026 Premier League campaign, Littler emphasized the marathon nature of the competition. "But yeah, it's a long 16 weeks and then week 17 at The O2. I mean, we all know we're good. That's why we're in the Premier League. We know we're going to battle it out for 16 weeks straight against each other."
The young champion added: "It's going to be interesting and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to the battles with everyone." Speaking about his specific ambitions for the tournament, Littler revealed: "Just go with the flow and see what happens. Obviously, get some nightly wins on the board. Try to break my own records, try and break the 180 record if I can. But the most important thing is to get to The O2 and hopefully get the trophy back."
This opening Premier League encounter in Newcastle's Utilita Arena therefore represents more than just another match. For Van Veen, it's an opportunity to prove he can compete with the sport's dominant force. For Littler, it's the first step toward reclaiming a trophy that slipped from his grasp last year, while continuing to build his already remarkable legacy in the sport.
