Luke Littler, the 19‑year‑old two‑time world champion, still has a realistic chance of qualifying for the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, but the question now is what other trophies he might still be able to add to his burgeoning résumé. After an astonishing twelve‑month run that saw him dominate the PDC circuit, Littler’s momentum was halted by a 10‑4 loss to Jonny Clayton in the quarter‑finals of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, followed by a surprising first‑round exit at the World Grand Prix.
Despite these setbacks, the young phenom remains within striking distance of the Minehead event, provided he can amass enough prize money in the remaining ProTour fixtures. The season began in spectacular fashion for Littler. After clinching the World Championship at Alexandra Palace in January, he proceeded to capture the World Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup of Darts and the World Matchplay – six premier titles in a row, an achievement no other player has managed in a single season. His ambition was to complete a historic clean sweep by also winning the World Series of Darts Finals, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and finally the Players Championship Finals.
The dream was shattered when Clayton produced a masterclass, winning seven of the last eight legs to seal a decisive victory. Clayton then went on to defeat Luke Woodhouse in Leicester, where Littler suffered a narrow 2‑1 loss in the double‑in, double‑out format. Littler’s recent schedule also included a semi‑final appearance at the World Youth Championship, where he was bested by Cam Crabtree.
Had he triumphed, Littler would have become the first player ever to hold both the senior World Championship and the World Youth title simultaneously – a milestone that would have cemented his place in darts history. The Players Championship Finals are set for Sunday, 29 November, in Minehead. Littler won the event last year, yet his current position on the ProTour Order of Merit means he must fight for a place.
Only the top 64 players on the Order of Merit qualify, and the projected cut‑off after all 34 events is expected to be just over £30,000. At present, Littler sits 126th with £10,500, while the 64th spot is held by Mike De Decker with £29,250.
This gap implies that Littler would need an extraordinary performance in the final two ProTour tournaments – potentially reaching at least one final, if not both – to amass the necessary earnings. Littler’s 2025 World Championship victory, where he edged Nathan Aspinall 11‑8, remains a highlight of his career.
However, his future participation in the remaining ProTour events is uncertain. On the Love The Darts podcast, commentator Matt Edgar expressed doubt that Littler will compete in the last two tournaments, suggesting that his focus may now be on other priorities. Edgar noted, "There is an opportunity here to be undisputed champion of the world – to own both of those world championships in the PDC. Playing in the World Youth Championship was an interesting decision.
I didn't think he would make it, but I'm kind of glad he did." Edgar also addressed criticism surrounding Littler’s involvement in the World Youth Championship, emphasizing that the tournament was a legitimate world championship, not a Development Tour event, and that excluding a player for being "too good" would be contrary to the spirit of sport. He added that if Littler had reached the final of the Youth event, he likely would have entered the remaining ProTour events, but now that possibility seems off the table.
Financially, the quarter‑final prize at the Players Championship Finals is £4,000, a modest sum compared to the larger purses at the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Championship. Nevertheless, the prestige of winning three consecutive world titles – a feat not achieved since Phil Taylor’s three‑year run ending in 2006 (Taylor won eight straight from 1995‑2002) – remains a powerful motivator for Littler. He is currently the only player with a perfect record at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, having defended his 2024 title successfully.
Looking ahead, Littler’s schedule includes the Grand Slam of Darts from 14‑22 November and the World Darts Championship from 11 December to 3 January. Both events will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via NOW without a contract. If Littler can navigate the remaining ProTour events successfully, he could secure a spot in Minehead and add another trophy to his collection. Even if he falls short of qualifying, his recent achievements – a World Championship, a Grand Slam victory, and multiple major titles – already place him among the sport’s elite, and his future prospects remain bright.
In summary, while Littler’s dream of a clean sweep has been interrupted, his path to the Players Championship Finals is still open, albeit narrow. The next two ProTour events will be decisive. Should he manage deep runs, he could close the £30,000 gap and join the elite 64, keeping his season alive and preserving his chance to compete for yet another major title in Minehead.