Luke Humphries clinched his third Players Championship crown of the season by defeating Brendan Dolan 8-6 in the final of PC28, held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. The win not only added another trophy to Humphries' growing résumé but also saw him reclaim the world No. 2 spot in the PDC rankings, overtaking Gian van Veen during the day's action. The final was a tightly contested affair.
Humphries, who had been on a resurgence after a disappointing early exit at the World Matchplay in July, displayed a calm, methodical approach, capitalising on his chances and holding his nerve in the closing legs. Dolan, the seasoned Irish competitor, fought back fiercely and kept the scoreline close, but ultimately Humphries' consistency proved decisive. Humphries' path to the title was anything but easy. In the semi‑final he overcame Mike De Decker 7-4, having survived a dramatic quarter‑final where he narrowly escaped six match darts from Danny Noppert, edging that encounter 6-5.
Earlier in the tournament, Humphries had also beaten Owen Bates 6-4 in the last‑16, showcasing a blend of heavy scoring and clinical finishing that has become his hallmark this season. For Luke Littler, the event represented a crucial opportunity to keep alive his ambition of completing an unprecedented clean sweep of all major PDC titles in a single year. Littler, who has already captured the World Championship, Masters, UK Open, Premier League, World Cup of Darts and World Matchplay in 2026, entered the tournament with a clear goal: to add the Players Championship Finals to his collection.
However, his campaign in Leicester ended in the semi‑final where he was outplayed by Dolan 7-4, ending his bid for a perfect season, at least for now. Littler's journey this season has been remarkable. After missing the first 26 Players Championship events, he returned to the circuit with a vengeance, quickly climbing the Order of Merit. Despite his recent successes, he still sits outside the top 64 needed for automatic qualification to the Minehead finals, sitting 125th and trailing the cut‑off by £16,750.
With six Players Championship events remaining, Littler faces a steep climb, needing strong performances and possibly a few titles to bridge the gap. The stakes are high for both players. Humphries, now firmly entrenched in the top‑three, is looking to build momentum ahead of the upcoming Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest and the remaining major events, including the World Series in Amsterdam (Sept.
17‑20), the World Grand Prix (Sept. 28‑Oct.
4), the Grand Slam of Darts (Nov. 14‑22) and the World Darts Championship (Dec.
10‑Jan. 3). His comments after the Leicester win highlighted his pragmatic mindset: "I came here for a bit of practice, to get back to feeling normal.
I didn’t expect to win, but two good days and a lot of practice have given me confidence. I’ll keep working on my game and aim to stay at No. 2." Littler, on the other hand, remains determined despite the setback.
He acknowledged the difficulty of his clean‑sweep goal, noting that the World Series in Amsterdam will be a key indicator of his form. "If I can perform well there, I’ll know whether I’m still on course for the sweep," he said. The Dutch event will be followed quickly by another double‑header in Den Bosch, giving him a short window to assess his chances. The broader context of the 2026 season adds further intrigue.
Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts, delivering live coverage of the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, and the World Championship, ensuring that every dramatic moment reaches a global audience. Meanwhile, the PDC Order of Merit remains a crucial battleground, with players like Humphries and Littler jockeying for position not only for prestige but also for qualification to the season‑ending Minehead finals.
In summary, Humphries' triumph at PC28 underscores his resurgence after a period of limited competition, while Littler's semi‑final exit highlights the razor‑thin margins that separate victory from defeat at the highest level. Both players have clear objectives: Humphries aims to consolidate his top‑two ranking and add more titles to his cabinet, whereas Littler is fighting to keep his historic clean‑sweep dream alive while navigating the Order of Merit climb. The next few weeks promise high‑stakes darts across Europe, with each match potentially reshaping the narrative of the 2026 season.
Key results from the tournament: - Last 16: Owen Bates 6-1 Justin Hood; Luke Humphries 6-5 Danny Noppert; Mike De Decker 6-3 Martijn Dragt; Kim Huybrechts 6-2 Jeffrey de Graaf; Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Daniel Ayres; Brendan Dolan 6-2 Karel Sedlacek; Luke Littler 6-3 Andy Boulton; Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Greg Ritchie - Quarter‑finals: Humphries 6-4 Owen Bates; De Decker 6-5 Kim Huybrechts; Dolan 6-4 Luke Woodhouse; Littler 6-4 Ratajski - Semi‑finals: Humphries 7-4 De Decker; Dolan 7-4 Littler - Final: Humphries 8-6 Dolan The upcoming calendar will test both men's resolve, with the Hungarian Darts Trophy offering Humphries a chance to add another title and Littler a platform to regain momentum. Fans can look forward to more high‑quality darts, intense rivalries, and the ever‑present possibility of history being rewritten as the season draws to a close.