Luke Littler's ambition to secure a place in the Players Championship Finals and keep alive the possibility of completing an unprecedented clean sweep of all PDC major titles in the 2026 season took a serious hit after his quarter‑final defeat at Players Championship 27 (PC27). The 19‑year‑old English prodigy was edged out 6‑5 by Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider, and Wattimena went on to capture the tournament crown in Leicester, beating fellow Dutchman Kevin Doets 8‑6 in the final.
Littler entered the event in impressive fashion, dispatching Archie Self 6‑2, then overcoming Arno Merk 6‑3, and subsequently besting William O'Connor 6‑3 to set up a last‑16 clash with Chris Dobey. In that encounter Littler produced a dominant 6‑0 whitewash, demonstrating the high‑scoring form that has defined his 2026 campaign. However, his momentum stalled when he faced Wattimena, who managed to clinch the match on the final leg after a tense back‑and‑forth.
To date, the world number one has already collected every major PDC trophy on offer this year: the World Championship, the Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup of Darts and the World Matchplay. The remaining targets are the World Series, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals. Securing all of these would represent a feat never before achieved in professional darts, cementing Littler's status as a generational talent. One of the biggest hurdles standing between Littler and a clean sweep is the qualification system for the Players Championship Finals.
Only the top 64 players on the Players Championship Order of Merit earn a spot in the Minehead showdown in November. Analysts predict that the cut‑off line will sit around £30,000 in earnings. While the winner of each Players Championship event receives a £15,000 prize, Littler's quarter‑final appearance at PC27 netted him just £4,000, leaving a sizable gap to bridge.
Littler's strategic approach to the series has been unconventional. He opted out of the first 26 Players Championship events, choosing instead to make his debut at PC27 and then compete again at PC28, both hosted at Leicester's Mattioli Arena. This means he must deliver strong performances in the remaining seven floor events to accumulate enough prize money to break into the top 64. PC28, scheduled for Wednesday at the same venue, offers him another chance to claim a title and boost his Order of Merit total.
Wattimena's victory was marked by drama. After securing a 115 checkout on the bull in the deciding leg against Littler, he carried that confidence into the semi‑final against Luke Woodhouse. Falling behind 1‑4, Wattimena produced a remarkable comeback, winning six consecutive legs and delivering five ton‑plus finishes (136, 135, 115, 127 and 128). He then sealed the semi‑final with an 11‑dart finish, before dominating the final against Doets, who fought back valiantly but ultimately fell 6‑2.
Wattimena's post‑match comments highlighted his self‑assessment: "I played really well today but some games I made difficult for myself," and he praised his own performance against Littler, noting the confidence boost from the 115 finish. Other notable performances included Nathan Aspinall, who hit a perfect nine‑dart leg in his opening round match against Thibault Tricole before being eliminated by Mickey Mansell in the third round. The tournament also featured a host of established names such as Rob Cross, Krzysztof Ratajski, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Cameron Menzies, all battling for the £15,000 top prize. The full results from the Leicester event illustrate the depth of competition: - Last‑16: Wessel Nijman 6‑1 Bradley Brooks; Kim Huybrechts 6‑2 Martijn Dragt; Kevin Doets 6‑3 Rob Cross; Cameron Menzies 6‑1 Krzysztof Ratajski; Luke Woodhouse 6‑5 Dirk van Duijvenbode; Mickey Mansell 6‑5 Ryan Searle; Luke Littler 6‑0 Chris Dobey; Jermaine Wattimena 6‑4 Carl Sneyd.
- Quarter‑finals: Wessel Nijman 6‑3 Kim Huybrechts; Kevin Doets 6‑2 Cameron Menzies; Luke Woodhouse 6‑2 Mickey Mansell; Jermaine Wattimena 6‑5 Luke Littler. - Semi‑finals: Kevin Doets 7‑5 Wessel Nijman; Jermaine Wattimena 7‑4 Luke Woodhouse. - Final: Jermaine Wattimena 8‑6 Kevin Doets. Looking ahead, the 2026 darts calendar remains packed with high‑profile events broadcast on Sky Sports.
The World Grand Prix will run from September 28 to October 4, followed by the Grand Slam of Darts from November 14 to 22, and the World Darts Championship from December 10 to January 3. These tournaments will be streamed live, offering fans ample opportunity to watch Littler's pursuit of the remaining majors. Should he manage to qualify for the Players Championship Finals and capture that title, he would join an elite group of players who have won multiple majors in a single season, but he would also become the first ever to claim every major on offer in a single year—a historic achievement that could redefine the sport's record books.
For now, the young English star must focus on maximizing his earnings in the upcoming floor events, staying consistent, and avoiding the pitfalls that have tripped up other prodigies in the past. The pressure is mounting, but Littler's talent and composure under fire suggest he still has the tools needed to turn this setback into a stepping stone toward an unforgettable season.