Luke Littler suffers unwanted first at Belgian Darts Open in surprise exit

Luke Littler will not win a third successive title at the Belgian Darts Open.

The Nuke suffered the first defeat of his career at the event he won in 2024 and 2025.

Niels Zonneveld produced a magical 147 checkout in a final leg decider to dump Littler out of the tournament.

The 19-year-old had won 12 straight matches at the Belgian Darts Open in Wieze.

But it was only the third round he managed to reach in 2026 in a huge win for the world number 39.

It also marks Littler’s first loss in a ranking tournament since October.

The teenager had booked his place in the third round with a routine 6-2 win over Croatia’s Boris Krcmar, averaging 104.7.

“I love it here,” admitted Littler. “My first European Tour event was here. I want to win it again, and performances like that will put me up there.”

Unfortunately, it will not result in a third straight title for Littler.

Zonneveld will go on to face the winner of Danny Noppert vs Ryan Searle.

Littler in the Premier League

The Nuke headed into the Belgian Darts Open on a high after a thrilling comeback victory on night seven of the Premier League in Dublin.

Littler had to come back from 5-0 down to beat Gerwyn Price 6-5 in an extraordinary turnaround.

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Five match darts came and went for Price, with the reigning world champion taking out 81 to clinch the nightly win.

“I have no idea how I have done that,” Littler told Sky Sports.

“I was gone, but after getting my first leg, I had a bit of fun and waved him goodbye, because when Gerwyn Price is on double top, he doesn’t usually miss.

“I was so gone I may as well have been off the stage, but this is darts, things happen.”

The Premier League moves on to Berlin on Thursday for night eight of the tournament.