Luke Littler's ambition to secure a place in the Players Championship Finals and preserve his chance of achieving an unprecedented clean sweep of Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) major titles in the 2026 season was dealt a significant setback when he fell in the quarter‑finals of Players Championship 27 (PC27). The young English prodigy, who has already captured every major on the PDC calendar this year, was edged out 6‑5 by Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider.
Wattimena went on to claim the PC27 crown in Leicester, defeating fellow Dutchman Kevin Doets 8‑6 in the championship match. Littler entered the tournament with a string of impressive victories.
He opened his campaign by dispatching Archie Self 6‑2, followed by a 6‑3 win over Arno Merk, and then a 6‑3 triumph against William O'Connor. These results set up a last‑16 clash with world No.1 Chris Dobey, whom Littler dominated with a whitewash 6‑0. The momentum, however, stalled when he met Wattimena, whose composure in the deciding leg proved decisive. To date, the 19‑year‑old has already lifted the World Championship, the Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup of Darts and the World Matchplay – every major title on the PDC circuit for 2026.
The remaining objectives for a historic sweep are the World Series, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals. No player in the sport’s history has ever managed to claim all eight majors in a single season, making Littler's pursuit a storyline that has captured the imagination of darts fans worldwide. One of the biggest hurdles standing between Littler and that elusive clean sweep is the qualification system for the Players Championship Finals, scheduled for November in Minehead. Only the top 64 players on the Players Championship Order of Merit earn a spot, and the projected cut‑off this year is expected to be just over £30,000 in prize money.
While each Players Championship event awards £15,000 to the winner, Littler’s quarter‑final finish at PC27 netted him a modest £4,000, far short of the amount needed to guarantee a place. Littler’s strategy this season has been unconventional.
He elected to sit out the first 26 Players Championship events, opting instead to make his debut at PC27 and then again at PC28, both held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. This means he now has only seven remaining floor events to accumulate enough earnings to break the £30,000 threshold. The pressure is immense, and PC28, taking place on Wednesday, represents another crucial opportunity for him to secure a tournament victory and bolster his qualification chances. Wattimena’s path to the title was dramatic.
After his tight win over Littler – sealed with a clutch 115 checkout on the bull in the deciding leg – he faced Luke Woodhouse in the semi‑finals. From a 4‑1 deficit, Wattimena produced a stunning comeback, winning six consecutive legs and delivering five ton‑plus finishes (136, 135, 115, 127 and 128) in rapid succession.
His momentum continued in the final, where he again displayed brilliance, firing an 11‑dart finish and ultimately overcoming Doets 8‑6. Post‑match, Wattimena reflected on his performance, saying, "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 at PC27 included a perfect nine‑dart finish by Nathan Aspinall in his opening round against Thibault Tricole. Aspinall, a former world champion from Stockport, later fell to Mickey Mansell in the third round, underscoring the depth of competition in the field.
The tournament’s later stages saw a series of high‑quality matches: - 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. The outcome of PC27 reshapes the narrative for the remainder of the 2026 darts calendar.
While Littler’s dream of a clean sweep remains alive, the margin for error has narrowed dramatically. He must now deliver exceptional results in the upcoming Players Championship events, each offering a £15,000 winner’s purse, to amass the necessary Order of Merit points. Looking ahead, the PDC schedule continues to feature marquee events broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The World Grand Prix will take place from September 28 to October 4, followed by the Grand Slam of Darts from November 14 to 22, and culminating with the World Darts Championship from December 10 to January 3. All these tournaments will be streamed via Sky Sports, ensuring fans can follow every twist and turn of the season. For viewers seeking continuous darts action, the NOW platform provides live streaming of matches, highlights, and exclusive video content. Additionally, fans can tune into the "Love the Darts" podcast for in‑depth analysis, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes insights.
In summary, Luke Littler’s quarter‑final loss at PC27 represents a pivotal moment in his quest for a historic major sweep. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but his already impressive résumé – six major titles in a single season – demonstrates a level of skill and composure rarely seen in the sport. Whether he can rally in the remaining Players Championship events, secure a spot in the Minehead finals, and ultimately capture the remaining titles will be one of the most compelling storylines of the 2026 darts season.