“I Wish I Was in the Crowd With Them” – Luke Littler Salutes England Fans as World Cup Fever Takes Over New York
There are few sounds in sport quite like thousands of England fans belting out songs at the top of their voices. It doesn’t matter whether it’s football, darts or rugby—the energy is impossible to ignore.
Even Luke Littler couldn’t hide his admiration.
The reigning world darts champion may have been the star attraction on stage at the US Darts Masters, but his attention was constantly drawn to the sea of England supporters turning Madison Square Garden into what felt like a football stadium. Instead of simply enjoying the atmosphere, Littler admitted something many fans probably didn’t expect to hear.
“I wish I was in the crowd with them.”
It’s not every day one of the biggest names in darts says he’d rather be standing among the supporters than under the spotlight, but that honest admission perfectly summed up the incredible atmosphere surrounding the event.
The US Darts Masters landed in New York at exactly the right time. England supporters had already travelled across the Atlantic to follow Thomas Tuchel’s side at the FIFA World Cup, and many of them packed into Madison Square Garden before heading across to New Jersey for England’s clash with Panama.
The result was something special.
Instead of feeling like a traditional darts tournament, the arena became a celebration of English sport. Chants echoed around the venue, flags were everywhere and fans created an atmosphere normally associated with football grounds rather than dartboards.
Littler loved every second of it.
Speaking after his match, he admitted he would have loved to experience the event from the supporters’ perspective because of how much noise and passion they generated throughout the night.
Of course, Littler had a job to do.
The world champion produced another impressive run at the US Darts Masters, reaching the final after overcoming a series of tough opponents. Once again, he found himself facing his great rival Luke Humphries in a match that delivered exactly the drama fans have come to expect.
The pair continue to raise the standard every time they meet.
Humphries eventually edged an outstanding contest in a deciding leg to retain the US Darts Masters title, but Littler once again proved why he remains one of the biggest attractions in world darts. Even in defeat, his quality was there for everyone to see.
What made the weekend unique wasn’t just the darts.
World Cup fever had completely taken over New York.
England supporters weren’t simply visiting for one sporting event. Many had planned an unforgettable trip that combined the US Darts Masters with England’s World Cup campaign, creating a festival atmosphere rarely seen outside major international tournaments.
Madison Square Garden benefited from that crossover.
The famous chants usually heard at England football matches filled one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. Players fed off the energy, broadcasters couldn’t stop talking about the crowd and even those watching at home could sense something different was happening.
Littler clearly noticed it too.
His comment about wishing he had been among the supporters wasn’t just a throwaway line. It reflected how special the occasion had become for everyone involved.
After finishing his darts commitments, Littler even joined England fans alongside his girlfriend, Faith Millar, at MetLife Stadium to watch England’s World Cup victory over Panama. It completed an unforgettable sporting weekend that mixed two of his biggest passions—darts and football.
One of the biggest reasons Littler continues to connect with supporters is that he still comes across as a genuine sports fan.
Yes, he’s a multiple-time world champion.
Yes, he’s already achieved things most players can only dream about.
But moments like this remind everyone that he still gets excited by the same experiences ordinary fans enjoy. Whether it’s watching England play football or soaking up the atmosphere inside a packed arena, Littler hasn’t lost that appreciation for being part of something bigger than himself.
In my opinion, that’s one of his greatest strengths.
Some athletes become distant as their fame grows. Littler seems to be going in the opposite direction. He continues to celebrate with fans, joke with them and openly admit when he’s enjoying the atmosphere around him.
That authenticity matters.
Supporters can usually tell when an athlete is being genuine, and Littler’s reaction to the England fans felt completely natural. He wasn’t trying to create headlines. He simply appreciated the incredible backing they gave throughout the weekend.
I also think this shows how much darts has evolved over the past few years.
There was a time when darts crowds were passionate but largely limited to dedicated followers of the sport. Now, thanks in large part to players like Littler and Humphries, darts attracts football supporters, families and casual sports fans who simply want to experience the electric atmosphere.
The line between football culture and darts culture is becoming increasingly blurred, and that’s a positive development for the sport.
Another thing that stood out was the respect Littler showed toward the supporters.
Despite the pressure of competing in a major final, he still found time to acknowledge the people who had travelled thousands of miles to support England and create an unforgettable atmosphere.
That kind of appreciation often goes a long way with fans.
As the World Cup continues and the darts calendar moves toward its next big events, this New York weekend will probably be remembered as much for its atmosphere as for the action on stage.
Luke Humphries may have lifted the trophy, but one of the lasting images will be Luke Littler smiling as he praised the England supporters who transformed Madison Square Garden into a sea of noise, passion and national pride.
Sometimes, the loudest cheers don’t come after a winning dart.
Sometimes, they come from thousands of fans simply reminding the world why English sporting support is famous wherever it travels.