HUYBRECHTS ADMITS LITTLER HELPED RAISE BELGIUM DARTS PROFILE
30/04/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
KIM HUYBRECHTS has blasted whistling darts fans as “disrespectful” after contrasting them with Belgium’s party-loving crowds.
The Premier League roadshow made history with its first-ever visit to Antwerp, as over 10,000 fans packed the AFAS Dome for Night Two.
The Hurricane believes Luke Littler played a key role in raising the country’s profile on the big stage after praising fans following his double success on the European Tour there.
Huybrechts pointed to nations like Germany as a contrast, suggesting players would not receive the same respectful welcome.
He said: “Of course it is very important. The top players feel respected even if you play against a host nation player.
“In some other countries I think it would be a different result. If this game was in Germany I would not get the same welcome as Niko [Springer] did.
“I understand you want your own players to win but sometimes it is difficult when people whistle or boo you.
“It is sometimes disrespectful. The Belgian crowd, they are amazing. They just respect everyone and have a party.
“They hope the Belgian guy would win but if they don’t they will have the same party as if the Belgians lose.
“That is what makes darts beautiful, just enjoy and have fun, don’t boo or whistle other players.”
Huybrechts has made a steady start to the campaign, reaching the last 16 at two ProTour events and the third round of the Belgian Darts Open and German Darts Grand Prix.
But the 40-year-old ruled himself out of the Premier League conversation for now, despite having played in it twice.
He added: “That is far away. I have played in the Premier League twice, it is the most amazing experience you can have in darts.
“I’ve enjoyed those two years. To be talking about the Premier League, I am not even going to enter that discussion.
“It’s like living in Belgium and wanting to move to Australia. It’s the other side of the world at the moment.
“I am not even going to think about it. If you said 10 years ago we would have had a Premier League night in Belgium, I would have said you are crazy.
“Now we have it. It would be amazing for a Belgian guy, Mike [De Decker], Dimitri [Van den Bergh], myself to be here.
“I think we all want to work our ass off to get there, but we will see.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
