In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where razor-sharp focus and mental toughness decide matches under intense pressure, a splash of lighthearted banter can add extra spark to even the fiercest rivalries. Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion and one of the most dominant figures in the sport for over a decade, has thrown a cheeky verbal dart at his young rival, 18-year-old sensation Luke Littler. The Dutch star recently explained why he would never share a casual drink with the teenage prodigy, pointing to a common player habit he finds “really disgusting.”
Van Gerwen, now 35 and still hungry for more major titles, opened up about the quirky rituals that some players follow before stepping up to the oche. Speaking on the Darts Draait Door podcast in December, he said, “You have a lot of players who have rituals. Before the match, they lick their entire hand. You really have a lot of them. I find that really disgusting.” While he stopped short of naming Littler directly, the timing and context of their heated rivalry made the connection obvious to fans and pundits alike.
The comment gained fresh relevance as the pair prepared to renew hostilities in the 2025 Premier League Darts opener in Belfast on April 17. That night marked the start of another gruelling campaign, with van Gerwen and Littler squaring off in a highly anticipated early clash. Their rivalry had already reached boiling point earlier in the year at the PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace, where Littler delivered a commanding 7-3 thrashing to claim his first world title and become the youngest champion in PDC history.
Littler’s meteoric rise continues to captivate the darts world. At just 17 during that Ally Pally triumph, he raced into a 4-0 lead against the experienced Dutchman before holding firm to secure a historic victory and a £500,000 winner’s cheque. His warm, respectful approach on stage has won him legions of fans. The teenager regularly shakes hands with opponents between sets or even shares quick embraces, as seen in his semi-final encounters with Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting. Sky Sports commentator Mark Webster noted during one match that the frequent handshakes and hugs showed “too much respect,” a sentiment that clearly resonates with van Gerwen’s more reserved style.
For his part, van Gerwen prefers to keep physical contact to a minimum. He openly admitted preferring a fist bump or what he calls a “boxing match” gesture over a traditional handshake. “I really don’t do that. I actually always do a boxing match, just to be safe,” he added with a grin during the podcast appearance. This cautious approach stems directly from his distaste for the hand-licking ritual that some players use to improve grip and friction on the dart. Stars like Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross have been known to employ the technique, but it leaves van Gerwen wrinkling his nose in disapproval.
The banter between the two has only enriched their on-stage battles. Earlier, van Gerwen had criticised Littler for arriving 45 minutes late to a Premier League media photoshoot in Belfast, calling him “lazy.” Littler took the jibe in stride, responding with his typical good humour: “You know what Michael’s like. He called me lazy. I was just laughing at him.” Such verbal volleys highlight the contrasting personalities at play — van Gerwen’s no-nonsense, gritty competitiveness versus Littler’s youthful exuberance and approachable charm.
As the Belfast showdown approached, Littler reflected on their budding rivalry with confidence. Acknowledging van Gerwen’s desire for revenge after the World Championship final defeat, he said, “He’s going to be up for it, he’s going to be hungry, but I’m up for it as the reigning champion.” The teenager also recalled positive memories from the venue, noting that his first Premier League nightly win the previous year had come in Belfast. “I have got good memories here, and I want to kick on,” he added, showing his eagerness to defend the title he claimed as a debutant.
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, has never been one to hide his ambitions. He cruised through the World Championship semi-finals with a dominant 6-1 win over Chris Dobey, though he let slip an F-bomb in a post-match interview, declaring, “I’ve won f*** all yet.” The slip drew laughs from the crowd and underscored his relentless drive to add to his trophy cabinet.
Beyond the personal jabs, van Gerwen’s remarks shine a light on the colourful subculture of professional darts. Personal rituals — whether it’s a specific warm-up routine, a lucky shirt, or that controversial hand-lick for better grip — are as much a part of the game as 180s and checkouts. While van Gerwen finds certain habits off-putting, he accepts them as part of the sport’s diversity. For Littler, navigating such lighthearted criticism is just another element of life in the spotlight. His ability to brush off pressure with a smile has become one of his greatest assets, allowing him to maintain focus amid the hype surrounding his rapid ascent.
The Premier League Darts opener in Belfast promised fireworks. Fans anticipated a classic contest pitting van Gerwen’s experience and tactical nous against Littler’s explosive scoring power and unflappable nerves under pressure. Their styles could hardly be more different: the veteran’s intense, fiery presence on stage versus the teenager’s relaxed, crowd-pleasing demeanour. Yet both share an unquenchable competitive spirit that has already produced memorable encounters.
As the 2025 season unfolded, this rivalry continued to inject fresh energy into the PDC circuit. Littler’s world title win had elevated him to superstar status, drawing new audiences to the sport while earning respect from established names. Van Gerwen, ever the fighter, remained determined to prove he still belongs at the very top. Their verbal exchanges — whether about handshakes, punctuality, or post-match drinks — only heightened the anticipation for every meeting on the oche.
In the end, van Gerwen’s playful refusal to share a pint with Littler may have been exaggerated for effect, but it perfectly captured the dynamic between them. One represents the old guard fighting to reclaim supremacy, while the other embodies the bright future of darts with talent, humility, and charisma to spare. Whether they trade maximums or witty barbs, their clashes guarantee entertainment. As the Belfast night loomed and the Premier League campaign kicked off, darts fans around the globe settled in, eager to see which player would emerge victorious in this latest chapter of a compelling modern rivalry.
The sport thrives on such personalities, and the contrast between van Gerwen’s steely resolve and Littler’s warm accessibility ensures that every encounter feels bigger than the scoreline. With plenty more nights of action ahead, this budding feud looks set to deliver thrills, spills, and plenty more memorable moments both on and off the board.