Darts world champion Luke Littler will break his boycott of German tournaments by competing at the German Darts Championship in October. The 18-year-old had vowed to avoid events in the country after facing hostile crowds during several recent competitions, including his semi-final loss to Gian van Geen at the Munich Grand Prix in April.
The teenager posted on social media at the time: “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway. Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund [in October] and I am glad to say that.”
He subsequently returned to Germany for the Darts World Cup two months later, partnering with rival Luke Humphries – sparking fresh concerns he might shun the country again after enduring further hostility from supporters.
However, Littler will venture back to Germany next month for the German Darts Championship in Heidenheim, which boasts a prize fund of £175,000.
Littler will compete alongside stars including Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting in the three-day tournament.
It marks his first German appearance since he and Humphries suffered an 8-4 defeat to German pair Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in the World Cup last-16.
Littler confessed that day triggered a “head loss moment” after enduring more abuse from spectators whilst on stage.
He was also jeered in Berlin during a Premier League Darts evening and suspects German fans harbour a grudge against him. “I had a little head loss moment, I don’t get it and can’t explain it,” he said after his World Cup exit.
“Obviously you do your walk-on but then as soon as I got on stage, I started getting booed.
“I got booed in Hildesheim last year, I was flying and they started booing and I lost. Obviously, the Germans mustn’t like us English.”
His partner Humphries also spotted the pressure affecting Littler and insisted the teenager “didn’t enjoy it” during the hostile reception from the crowd.
“It was gutting to see so many English fans happy to see us lose,” Humphries said. “The Germans would never do that to their players. It was incredibly tough, especially for Luke. I could tell by his face he didn’t enjoy it. I kind of relished it, but he’s still young to that. It seems to have carried on more than I expected.
When questioned whether the duo would reunite at next year’s World Cup, he responded: “You’d have to ask him. I think it’s so prestigious that he will. Whether he goes back for Euro Tours?
“That’s not for me to answer. I’m sure he’ll answer that for you, but that wasn’t a nice environment for him. I don’t think he enjoyed it.
“He deserves some slack – he’s done nothing wrong. He’s a great pioneer for the sport. We should celebrate him, not whistle at him.” “.