World number one and former champion Luke Littler will headline the roster of Tour Card Holders and International Qualifiers slated to compete in the upcoming Winmau World Youth Championship on Monday. The tournament’s full 128‑player field will be locked in after the Development Tour season wraps up this weekend, with the final four Development Tour events (Events 21‑24) scheduled for October 3‑4 in Wigan. The 2026 edition of the World Youth Championship will unfold in two distinct phases. The round‑robin stage and the early knockout rounds, from the last 64 through to the semi‑finals, are set for Monday, 5 October, at the Robin Park Leisure Centre.
Organisers recommend using the Chrome browser to ensure the video player works smoothly for viewers. Littler’s path to the youth event has been eventful. After a loss at the World Series Finals in Amsterdam, he withdrew from Players Championship 29 and 30, effectively ending his bid to qualify for the Minehead finals in November. Nevertheless, his presence at the venue remains possible, and he will still be a major attraction for the youth competition.
The championship culminates on Sunday, 29 November, at Butlin’s Minehead Resort, where the Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals will be staged. That final will carry a boosted top prize of £15,000, adding extra incentive for the young talent vying for the title.
The 128‑player line‑up comprises all age‑qualified PDC Tour Card Holders who have accepted an invitation, alongside 26 international representatives. The remaining slots will be filled from the final Development Tour Rankings, ensuring a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging stars. During the group stage, the competitors will be divided into 32 groups of four players each. Every group will contain one seeded player, with seedings drawn from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder and the Development Tour Rankings.
Each group will battle in a round‑robin format, with matches played over the best of nine legs. The top two finishers from each group will advance to the knockout phase, which begins at the last‑64 stage and proceeds in a best‑of‑11‑legs format. As the world’s top youth player, Littler will occupy the top seed, reflecting his status as world number one. He will be joined in the seeding hierarchy by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki and Ireland’s Keane Barry.
Former runner‑up Jurjen van der Velde (2024) will also return, alongside familiar faces such as Cam Crabtree, Charlie Manby, Owen Bates, and the Czech contender Adam Gawlas. The field also showcases promising youngsters from the Junior Darts Circuit, including 16‑year‑old Lewis Cook, as well as rising talents Kaya Baysal, Archie Self, and Ben Townley, all of whom have stepped up to the Development Tour this season.
From the PDC Women’s Series rankings, Eleanor Cairns and Kyana Frauenfelder will also be competing, highlighting the growing inclusivity of the sport. Notably, two‑time reigning champion Gian van Veen will not be defending his title, and former runner‑up Beau Greaves, who lost to Van Veen a year earlier, has opted out, as has Yorick Hofkens.
Their absences open the door for a new champion to emerge. The schedule for Monday begins at 11:30 am, with group matches broadcast live. After the round‑robin stage, the tournament shifts to a straight‑knockout format, intensifying the competition as players vie for a spot in the final eight.
Below is a snapshot of the confirmed participants for the 2026 Winmau World Youth Championship: **Age‑Qualified Tour Card Holders**: Luke Littler, Sebastian Bialecki, Keane Barry, Cam Crabtree, Dominik Gruellich, Charlie Manby, Leon Weber, Tavis Dudeney, Adam Gawlas, Owen Bates, Jurjen van der Velde, Tyler Thorpe. **International Qualifiers**: Liam Maendl‑Lawrance (Germany), Mika Donnevert (Germany), Mio Varila (Finland), Alexander Thorvaldsson (Iceland), Daniel Kortbek (Denmark), Ky Smith (Australia), Bailey Marsh (Australia), Jayden Wedemeyer (Australia), Mitchel Beswick (Australia), Jack Sheppard (New Zealand), Hunter Eyles (New Zealand), Zacarno King (New Zealand), Zachary Meeks (USA), Conner Olson (USA), Liam McNeil (Canada), Benjamin Goddard (Canada), Craig Galliano (Gibraltar), Hayden Moodley (South Africa), Jason Britz (South Africa), Eleanor Cairns (England), Kyana Frauenfelder (Netherlands), Lewis Cook (England), Jaichen Song (China), Hiroyuki Tanaka (Japan), Zhijun Cui (China), Duyana Decena (Philippines). Beyond the youth event, Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts, covering major tournaments such as the World Grand Prix (running until 4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November), and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January).
Fans can also stream matches and related content through the NOW platform without a contractual commitment. The Winmau World Youth Championship offers a vital platform for the next generation of darts talent to showcase their skills on a global stage. With a blend of seasoned tour‑card holders, promising development players, and a diverse international contingent, the tournament promises high‑quality competition, dramatic matchups, and the potential for a new champion to rise. Whether you are a die‑hard darts enthusiast or a casual viewer, the event on 5 October at Robin Park Leisure Centre is set to deliver exciting darts action, compelling storylines, and a glimpse into the future of the sport.