In a dramatic turn of events, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion, underwent emergency dental surgery on Thursday, August 28, 2025, just hours before traveling to Belgium for the Flanders Darts Trophy 2025. The procedure, which involved the removal of a tooth, left Littler in “pain for hours and hours” and “in shock and shaken,” casting uncertainty over his participation in the high-stakes European Tour event. Despite the ordeal, the world No. 2 remains determined to compete in Antwerp, where he aims to add to his remarkable 11-title haul in 2025. Here’s a detailed account of the incident, its potential impact, and how to watch Littler’s comeback attempt at the Flanders Darts Trophy.
Emergency Dental Surgery: Littler’s Painful Ordeal
Littler revealed the harrowing experience via his Instagram story, stating, “In pain for hours and hours, so had to get tooth out. Luckily they were able to do it and sort me out but hopefully it’s all good for Saturday.” The emergency procedure took place in Manchester on August 28, leaving Littler shaken as he faced an unfamiliar medical situation. “I’ve never had this done and I don’t know how I’m going to be feeling,” he admitted, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his physical and mental state heading into the tournament.
The surgery comes at a critical juncture for Littler, who is set to face the winner of Dylan Slevin vs. Francois Schweyen in the second round of the Flanders Darts Trophy on Saturday, August 30. Despite the setback, Littler expressed enthusiasm for the event, noting his affection for the Belgian crowd and his desire to “play my best darts” in Antwerp. His resilience is a testament to his professionalism, especially given his grueling 2025 schedule, which includes victories in the World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay, and multiple European Tour events.
Flanders Darts Trophy 2025: A Star-Studded Field
The Flanders Darts Trophy, held from August 29–31, 2025, at the Antwerp Expo, is the latest stop on the PDC European Tour, featuring 48 top players competing for a £30,000 top prize. Littler, a top seed, faces stiff competition from the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting, and defending champion Dave Chisnall, who won the 2024 event with an 8-6 victory over Ricardo Pietreczko. The tournament’s draw, conducted on August 28, sets the stage for high-stakes battles, with Littler aiming to claim his third European Tour title of 2025.
Adding to the drama, Gerwyn Price, the 2020 World Champion, is also battling health issues after being hospitalized with an infected hand earlier in the week. Price, who posted images of himself on a drip and struggled to secure a hospital bed, is expected to compete, fresh off his 8-3 win over Gary Anderson at the Baltic Sea Darts Open in July. The presence of two top players recovering from medical setbacks adds intrigue to an already competitive field.
Littler’s 2025 Dominance and Resilience
Littler’s 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular, with 11 titles and a string of standout performances, including a 108+ average in a 7-2 rout of Price at the New Zealand Masters and a near-nine-darter in recent competition. Posts on X from @OfficialPDC have highlighted his flair, such as a 138 checkout, cementing his status as a generational talent. Despite his youth, Littler has handled the pressures of fame and a relentless schedule, but this emergency surgery tests his ability to perform under physical duress.
Darts legend Phil Taylor, in a recent SPORTbible interview, praised Littler’s potential to break records but warned of the challenges posed by opponents elevating their game against him. Taylor’s “blueprint” to beating Littler—delivering peak performance under pressure—may be tested in Antwerp, where rivals like van Gerwen and Humphries will look to exploit any lingering effects of Littler’s surgery.
How to Watch the Flanders Darts Trophy 2025
Fans eager to see if Littler can overcome his health scare and shine in Antwerp can catch the action live or on TV, depending on their region:
- United Kingdom:
- Live Streaming: Watch every match on PDCTV (pdc.tv), the PDC’s official platform, for £4.99/month or £49.99/year. bet365 also offers live streaming via its Sports Live Streaming service, requiring a funded account or recent betting activity.
- TV Broadcast: No confirmed live TV coverage on ITV4 or Sky Sports, but ITV4 may air delayed highlights in the evening (e.g., 7:00 PM BST). Check local listings for updates.
- Session Times: Afternoon sessions start at 12:00 PM BST, evening sessions at 6:00 PM BST.
- United States:
- Live Streaming: Available on PDCTV ($13.50/month or $80/year), as major broadcasters like Peacock or FanDuel focus on bigger PDC events.
- TV Broadcast: No TV coverage is confirmed; fans can check PDC’s YouTube channel for post-event highlights.
- Session Times: Afternoon sessions at 7:00 AM ET/4:00 AM PT, evening sessions at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT.
- VPN Option: Use a VPN like Norton VPN to access PDCTV if facing geo-restrictions while traveling.
- Australia:
- Live Streaming: Stream on PDCTV (£49.99/year, ~AU$95). Fox Sports may offer highlights, but live coverage is unconfirmed.
- Session Times: Afternoon sessions at 10:00 PM AEST, evening sessions at 4:00 AM AEST (next day).
- VPN Option: A VPN like Norton VPN (from AU$2.49/month) can unblock PDCTV for fans abroad.
Note: PDCTV is unavailable in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, where DAZN or Viaplay hold rights. A VPN can help bypass these restrictions.
What’s Next for Littler?
Littler’s travel to Belgium on Friday, August 29, marks the start of his bid to overcome his medical setback and compete at the Flanders Darts Trophy. His second-round match on Saturday will be a critical test of his recovery, with the potential to face top players like van Gerwen or Humphries in later rounds. Fans on X are buzzing with support, with posts like “Littler’s a warrior, he’ll still smash it” reflecting confidence in his ability to perform.
For real-time updates, visit pdc.tv, mirror.co.uk, or independent.co.uk, and follow @OfficialPDC on X for live reactions and highlights. As Littler aims to add another title to his 2025 resume, the darts world will be watching to see if the young star can turn pain into triumph in Antwerp.
