Luke Littler's ambition to qualify for the Players Championship Finals and preserve his chance of achieving an unprecedented clean sweep of all PDC major titles in the 2026 season suffered a serious setback after a quarter‑final loss at 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 subsequently captured the tournament crown in Leicester, defeating fellow Dutchman Kevin Doets 8‑6 in the final. Littler entered the event with a strong showing, dispatching Archie Self 6‑2, Arno Merk 6‑3 and William O'Connor 6‑3 to earn a place in the last‑16. There he faced Chris Dobey and delivered a dominant 6‑0 whitewash before meeting Wattimena, whose decisive 6‑5 victory ended Littler's run.
The loss not only halted Littler's progress in this particular tournament but also placed his broader objective of a season‑long major sweep in jeopardy. To date, the world number one has already secured every major PDC title on the 2026 calendar except five: the World Series, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts, and the Players Championship Finals. His résumé includes the World Championship, the Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup of Darts and the World Matchplay – an astonishing collection that underscores his dominance throughout the year.
Achieving a clean sweep would be a historic first; no player has ever captured all of the PDC’s flagship events in a single season. The remaining hurdles are formidable, not only because of the quality of the opposition but also due to the qualification mechanics for the Players Championship Finals. Only the top 64 players on the Players Championship Order of Merit gain entry to the Minehead showdown in November, and the projected cut‑off point is expected to be well above £30,000 in earnings.
Each Players Championship event awards £15,000 to the winner, yet Littler's quarter‑final finish at PC27 earned him a modest £4,000. He had deliberately skipped the first 26 events of the series, opting to make his debut at PC27 and PC28 in Leicester.
Consequently, he now faces the daunting task of amassing enough prize money in the final seven floor events to break into the top‑64. A strong performance at PC28, also staged at the Mattioli Arena, could provide a vital boost to his earnings and keep his finals hopes alive.
Wattimena's triumph was a dramatic one. After edging Littler with a clutch 115 checkout on the bull in the deciding leg, he turned his attention to the semi‑final against Luke Woodhouse. Down 1‑4, Wattimena produced a remarkable comeback, stringing together six consecutive legs and delivering five ton‑plus finishes (136, 135, 115, 127 and 128) to overturn the deficit.
He then maintained momentum in the final against Doets, sealing the match with an impressive 11‑dart finish. Post‑match, Wattimena reflected, "I played really well today but some games I made difficult for myself. I always play really well against Luke – even when I lose I play well, and that 115 finish gave me big confidence. I didn’t realise I hit five ton‑plus finishes in the semi‑final because you’re busy with the game, but I’m very happy with this win." His victory also propelled him back into the world’s top‑16, displacing Ross Smith.
Other notable performances included Nathan Aspinall, who hit a perfect nine‑dart leg against Thibault Tricole in the early rounds, showcasing his clinical finishing ability. Aspinall later fell to Mickey Mansell in the third round, adding another twist to the tournament narrative.
The event’s full draw highlighted the depth of the field. In the last‑16, Wessel Nijman dispatched Bradley Brooks 6‑1, Kim Huybrechts overcame Martijn Dragt 6‑2, and Kevin Doets beat Rob Cross 6‑3. Luke Woodhouse survived a tight 6‑5 battle against Dirk van Duijvenbode, while Mickey Mansell edged Ryan Searle 6‑5.
The quarter‑finals saw Nijman continue his run with a 6‑3 win over Huybrechts, Doets defeating Cameron Menzies 6‑2, Woodhouse beating Mansell 6‑2, and Wattimena overcoming Littler 6‑5. In the semis, Doets prevailed 7‑5 over Nijman, and Wattimena dispatched Woodhouse 7‑4 to set up the final, where he secured an 8‑6 victory. Looking ahead, Littler still has a grueling schedule. The remaining Players Championship events, followed by 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 broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Each tournament presents a new opportunity for the young champion to add another major to his tally, but the pressure to qualify for the Players Championship Finals adds an extra layer of urgency. If Littler can navigate the remaining floor events successfully, amass the necessary prize money, and continue his high‑level play, he could still be on track for a historic season. However, the margin for error is razor‑thin.
A single early exit could see him fall outside the top‑64, ending his bid for the final major title and leaving the clean‑sweep dream unfulfilled. The darts world will be watching closely as the season unfolds, eager to see whether Littler can rewrite the record books or if another contender will rise to claim the remaining crowns.