Luke Littler has hinted that he could end his European Tour boycott in Germany next season after praising the reception he has received from the crowd at the 2026 Machineseeker European Championship. The world number one has largely stayed away from European Tour events in Germany due to previous crowd experiences, limiting his appearances in the country to mandatory televised majors and the Premier League.
However, following a superb 114 average in his victory over Nathan Aspinall on Saturday night, Littler admitted that the support in Dortmund could influence his decision about returning to the European Tour in 2027. Speaking to the media, including DartsNews, after reaching the quarter-finals, the 18-year-old reflected on his performance and the challenge of maintaining his level as the tournament progresses. "Yeah, I feel very good. Sometimes, when it's a longer format, I could go back to the old Luke Littler and start throwing really fast. But yeah, I just kept it together and got the job done," he said.
Littler's display against Aspinall was another reminder of his scoring power, with the teenager coming close to challenging one of Phil Taylor's long-standing records. Always attentive to statistics and milestones, Littler revealed that he had briefly checked his average during the match, only to discover afterwards just how close he had come to Taylor's benchmark. "Yeah, I think it was when we came back on stage. I think I was on 121, but that was the only time I looked at it. And then when we came on for the second break at 6-4, I was on 117. But yeah, I didn't know the record until just then — Phil Taylor's 118. So maybe I should have tried a bit harder! But again, I'm just really happy with myself."
The longer format at the European Championship can play to Littler's strengths, although he acknowledged that adapting to an afternoon start on Finals Day would present a different challenge. With the clocks set to go back, the young star joked about his plans to get some rest before returning to the stage. "Yeah, I mean, hopefully. I've just been to all the last ones as well. So, about four o'clock, the clocks go back, have a shower and get into bed as well. So, yeah, I just told Polly then that tomorrow afternoon will be the tough one. Waking up, getting up and playing in the afternoon. But yeah, again, tonight, obviously, I think there were 1,500 fans coming from the Dortmund game, and it felt really good tonight. But yeah, I was just getting that afternoon game out of the way, and then we can look forward to tomorrow night."
Despite the largely positive atmosphere, Littler did have one brief issue with a spectator during the Aspinall match. The incident occurred shortly before he attempted a 126 checkout, when someone at the front table made a loud noise by banging on the table. Littler explained that he identified the person, who quickly turned their attention elsewhere. "Just before the bull on the 126, the front table decided to bang really loudly on the table. The guy who did it looked up. I pointed at him and said, 'That's you, that.' And then he just picked up his pen and started writing on his little 180 card. He didn't look up, so yeah, he knew what he'd done. But that's the first thing I've had all weekend, and yeah, the crowd's been very good."
It was the overall reception, rather than the isolated incident, that appeared to leave the biggest impression on Littler. The teenager has previously indicated that crowd behaviour would influence whether he competed in European Tour events in Germany, but his experience in Dortmund has opened the door to a possible change of heart. "Yeah, I think, obviously, because I've not been to Germany this year apart from Berlin, it's kind of like the second time they've seen me. So, obviously, I want a good reception because I want to be doing European Tours next year in Germany. Whereas if they're not good to me, then I won't go. But so far, so good. And with the way I'm playing, hopefully they like it, and I can produce maybe a bit better tomorrow." When asked directly whether he could bring his boycott to an end, Littler gave an encouraging response: "Maybe on, yeah."
A return to the German European Tour events would mark a significant development, with Littler's decision potentially influenced by the welcome he receives from supporters across the weekend. He also shared a light-hearted exchange with Aspinall following their last-16 clash, with the pair joking about Littler's ability to produce his best darts against the former World Matchplay champion. "Yeah, he was just saying at the end, 'Why do you have to play so good against me?' I just laughed. And then when he said it again, he said, 'You used to always play well against me. You always bring the best out of me. And then when we went back to the table, he said, 'I'll get you one day.' I said, 'Yeah, maybe, Nathan.'"
For now, Littler's focus remains on adding another major title to his growing collection in Dortmund. But with the world number one leaving the door open to a return to Germany's European Tour events, his comments have offered a fresh indication that next season could look different.
