Flights Booked? Luke Littler Already Plotting Bilbao Trip for Potential Man Utd Europa League Final

Hardcore Manchester United fan and World Darts Champion Luke Littler is already looking at flights to Bilbao for the UEFA Europa League final — after his beloved Red Devils produced a stunning 3-0 away win over Athletic Club in the first leg of the semi-finals.

That victory came at the same venue which will host the final on Wednesday, May 21, and Littler, like many United fans, is daring to dream. 

Historic fifth Premier League win for Littler

The 18-year-old darting sensation had his own night to remember in Birmingham, where he made Premier League history by becoming the first player to win five nightly events in a single season since the format change in 2022.

Littler beat Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in a repeat of the 2025 World Championship final – and with the same outcome. He had earlier seen off fellow Target stars Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall to seal Night 13 and collect another £10,000 bonus.

Keeping one eye on United’s scoreline

Despite the focus on darts, Littler made no secret of where his attention was drifting during the night.

He was eagerly checking the United score between matches and watching as much of the game as possible. At one point, he even held up a fan sign showing the Man Utd scoreline ahead of the final.

Off to Bilbao? 

After the win, Littler admitted he’s already started making tentative plans to fly to Bilbao for the final – although his Premier League darts commitments may scupper those ambitions.

“I have been looking at flights, but only if I’m allowed,” Littler laughed, when asked if he’ll be attending the final, if Man Utd get to Bilbao.

The Europa League final kicks off at 8PM UK time on Wednesday, May 21 — just 24 hours before Night 16 of the Premier League in Sheffield.

To make both events, Littler would likely need to fly back early Thursday morning, land at a local airport, and dash across to the Utilita Arena in time for a 7PM start.

“Even if I don’t go, I’ll obviously watch it,” he added. 

Could Littler copy Luca Brecel's bold move?

Last week, Belgian snooker star Luca Brecel raised eyebrows with his own bold travel move. 

After winning his first-round match at the World Snooker Championship on Thursday, April 24, he flew back to Belgium — despite being scheduled to play Ding Junhui just two days later.

“I don’t like to hang around. I always try to get here latest as possible, even like today I come in maybe 15 minutes before the game. That’s always been my way, and as long as it works, it’s good,”
Brecel told SportsBoom.co.uk after beating Ding.

To make it work, Brecel booked a private Learjet — arranged by Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard — flying from Maastricht to East Midlands, arriving at 3:17pm, less than four hours before his match.

“I booked it the day before. I know [Leandro] Trossard, the Arsenal player, and he sort of arranged it for me. So yeah, that was quite easy.”

Brecel would later lose to Judd Trump in the next round — but the jet stunt made headlines.

When asked whether he could pull a ‘Brecel’ and charter a private jet to and from Bilbao, Littler didn’t seem too sold on the idea.

“I don’t think a PJ’s worth it,” Littler told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“Call Harry Maguire?” 

As the interview wrapped up, Littler laughed off the idea of tapping up Harry Maguire or Luke Shaw — both of whom have messaged him on social media — to help him hitch a ride back to England.

The idea of joining the United team plane may be a step too far, even for Littler’s growing stardom.