Luke Littler’s ambition to secure a place in the Players Championship Finals and keep alive the prospect of an unprecedented clean sweep of all PDC major titles in the 2026 season suffered a significant setback after a quarter‑final defeat at PC27. In a nail‑biting match that went to a deciding leg, the 19‑year‑old English prodigy was edged out 6‑5 by Dutch contender Jermaine Wattimena, who later lifted the trophy in Leicester by beating fellow countryman Kevin Doets 8‑6 in the final. Littler’s run to the last eight had been impressive.
He opened his campaign with a 6‑2 victory over Archie Self, followed by a 6‑3 win against Arno Merk and another 6‑3 triumph over William O'Connor, which set up a last‑16 showdown with Chris Dobey. Littler dominated Dobey, delivering a flawless 6‑0 whitewash before meeting Wattimena, the eventual champion, in a match that went the distance. The loss not only ended his PC27 campaign but also placed his qualification hopes for the Minehead finals in jeopardy. To date in 2026, the world No.1 has already captured every major title on the PDC calendar: the World Championship, the Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup of Darts and the World Matchplay.
The remaining objectives are the World Series, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals. Achieving all eight in a single season would be a feat never before accomplished in professional darts.
One major hurdle lies in the qualification criteria for the Players Championship Finals. Only the top 64 players on the Players Championship Order of Merit earn a spot in the Minehead event in November, and the projected cut‑off is expected to be around £30,000 in earnings. Winners of each Players Championship event receive £15,000, but Littler’s quarter‑final finish at PC27 netted him just £4,000, far short of the threshold needed to secure a place. Littler’s strategic approach to the series also adds complexity.
He chose to sit out the first 26 events, entering the competition only at PC27 and PC28, both held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. This decision means he must deliver strong performances in the final seven floor events of the season to accumulate enough prize money and points to break into the top 64.
PC28, scheduled for the following Wednesday at the same venue, offers him another chance to claim a title and boost his earnings. Wattimena’s path to the PC27 crown was dramatic.
After his victory over Littler, sealed with a decisive 115 checkout on the final dart, he faced Luke Woodhouse in the semi‑final. From 4‑1 down, Wattimena produced a remarkable comeback, winning six consecutive legs and hitting five ton‑plus finishes (136, 135, 115, 127 and 128) to turn the match around. He then continued his dominance in the final against Doets, eventually firing an 11‑dart finish and closing the contest 8‑6.
Post‑match, Wattimena praised his own performance, noting that he had played well throughout and that the confidence from the 115 finish against Littler had been a key factor. His win also propelled him back into the world top 16, displacing Ross Smith.
Other notable performances at PC27 included Nathan Aspinall, who recorded a perfect nine‑dart leg against Thibault Tricole in the opening round before being eliminated by Mickey Mansell in the third round. The event featured a host of established names such as Rob Cross, Krzysztof Ratajski and Dirk van Duijvenbode, all competing for the £15,000 winner’s purse.
The tournament’s results were as follows: - 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 by Sky Sports, which continues to be the primary home for the sport. The World Grand Prix (28 September–4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14–22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December–3 January) will all be shown live, offering ample opportunities for Littler to add the remaining major titles to his résumé.
Fans can also stream darts and other top‑level sports via the NOW platform, ensuring comprehensive coverage throughout the season. In summary, while Littler’s quarter‑final exit at PC27 has introduced a new level of uncertainty regarding his qualification for the Players Championship Finals, his record this year remains extraordinary. The remaining six majors present both a challenge and an opportunity for the young champion to cement his place in darts history, provided he can navigate the qualification hurdles and maintain the high standard of play that has defined his 2026 campaign so far.