Reigning world champion Luke Littler has suffered a surprising early exit from the opening night of the 2026 Premier League darts tournament. His journey was halted at the quarter-final stage by Dutch opponent Gian van Veen, who secured a notable 6-4 victory in Newcastle.
A Swift Reversal of Fortunes
This defeat marks a significant turnaround from their previous encounter. Just one month earlier, in January 2026, Littler had decisively beaten Van Veen 7-1 to retain his world championship title at Alexandra Palace. The latest match, however, saw Van Veen demonstrate his resilience and skill, capitalising on a performance from Littler that was widely regarded as below his usual exceptional standard.
Historical Rivalry Intensifies
The rivalry between these two darts stars has developed over several years, featuring numerous competitive clashes. While Van Veen has recorded victories in past meetings, the comprehensive nature of his loss in the world final made this Premier League win particularly sweet. This match also represented Van Veen's debut in the Premier League competition, adding to the significance of his triumph over the reigning champion.
With this victory, Gian van Veen advances to the semi-finals, where he will face the returning Jonny Clayton. The outcome sets the stage for an intriguing Premier League season, suggesting that the battle for dominance at the top of the sport remains fiercely contested.
The darts community will be watching closely to see how Luke Littler responds to this early setback in a tournament where he was considered a strong favourite. His ability to rebound from this defeat could define his campaign in the weeks ahead.
