In a stunning development, Luke Littler, the 18-year-old PDC World Champion and darts sensation, underwent emergency dental surgery on Thursday, August 28, 2025, mere hours before traveling to Belgium for the Flanders Darts Trophy 2025. The procedure, necessitated by excruciating tooth pain that left Littler “in pain for hours and hours,” has cast a shadow over his participation in the prestigious European Tour event, where he is a top seed aiming to secure his third title of the year. Despite being “in shock and shaken,” Littler is determined to compete in Antwerp against a formidable field including Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and defending champion Dave Chisnall. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the incident, its potential impact, and how fans across the UK, USA, Australia, and Nigeria can watch the drama unfold.
A Painful Setback: Littler’s Emergency Surgery
Littler took to his Instagram story to share the ordeal, 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 dental procedure, performed in Manchester on August 28, left the young star rattled, as he admitted, “I’ve never had this done and I don’t know how I’m going to be feeling, but right now I am in shock and shaken as I didn’t know what to expect.” The timing is particularly challenging, with Littler traveling to Belgium today, Friday, August 29, 2025, for the Flanders Darts Trophy, which runs from August 29–31 at the Antwerp Expo.
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Littler remains focused on competing, expressing excitement for the “amazing” Belgian crowd and his goal to “play my best darts.” His resilience is remarkable, given his dominant 2025 season, which includes 11 titles such as the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay. However, the surgery introduces uncertainty about his ability to perform at his peak against a stacked field in Antwerp.
Flanders Darts Trophy 2025: A Star-Studded Showdown
The Flanders Darts Trophy, a key event on the PDC European Tour, features 48 players competing for a £30,000 top prize. Littler, ranked world No. 2, is set to face the winner of Dylan Slevin vs. Francois Schweyen in the second round on Saturday, August 30, following the tournament draw on August 28. The field is packed with elite talent, including Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting, and defending champion Dave Chisnall, who won the 2024 event 8-6 against Ricardo Pietreczko. Littler’s recent form—a 108+ average in a 7-2 win over Gerwyn Price at the New Zealand Masters and a 138 checkout—makes him a favorite, but his post-surgery condition could be a vulnerability.
Adding to the tournament’s intrigue, Gerwyn Price is also battling health issues after being hospitalized with an infected hand earlier this week. Price, who shared images of himself on a drip and struggled to secure a hospital bed, is expected to compete, fresh off his 8-3 victory over Gary Anderson at the Baltic Sea Darts Open in July. The prospect of both Littler and Price competing while recovering from medical setbacks sets the stage for a dramatic weekend in Antwerp.
Littler’s 2025 Dominance and Phil Taylor’s Blueprint
Littler’s 2025 season has been a masterclass, with 11 titles and standout moments like a near-nine-darter and consistent 100+ averages. Posts on X from @OfficialPDC have celebrated his brilliance, including a 138 checkout that electrified fans. However, darts legend Phil Taylor, in a recent SPORTbible interview, outlined the challenges Littler faces, noting that opponents raise their game against him, akin to the “Manchester United syndrome.” Taylor’s “blueprint” to beating Littler involves delivering peak performance under pressure, as demonstrated by Price’s 115.31-average thrashing of Littler (6-2) at the Bahrain Darts Masters in January 2025. Taylor also advised Littler to avoid social media negativity and manage finances with two bank accounts to secure his future, a lesson drawn from his own 16-time World Championship career.
How to Watch the Flanders Darts Trophy 2025
Fans worldwide can follow Littler’s bid to overcome his health scare at the Flanders Darts Trophy, with viewing options tailored to each region:
- United Kingdom:
- Live Streaming: Watch every match on PDCTV (pdc.tv) for £4.99/month or £49.99/year, covering all European Tour events. bet365 offers live streaming via its Sports Live Streaming service, requiring a funded account or recent betting activity.
- TV Broadcast: No confirmed live coverage on ITV4 or Sky Sports, but ITV4 may air delayed highlights (e.g., 7:00 PM BST). Check local listings for updates.
- Session Times: Afternoon sessions at 12:00 PM BST (1:00 PM WAT), evening sessions at 6:00 PM BST (7:00 PM WAT).
- United States:
- Live Streaming: Available on PDCTV ($13.50/month or $80/year). Major broadcasters like Peacock or FanDuel focus on bigger PDC events, making PDCTV the primary option.
- TV Broadcast: No TV coverage confirmed; PDC’s YouTube channel may offer 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 Norton VPN to access PDCTV if traveling and facing geo-restrictions.
- 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: Norton VPN (from AU$2.49/month) can unblock PDCTV for fans abroad.
- Nigeria (WAT):
- Live Streaming: Access via PDCTV, as local broadcasters like SuperSport have not confirmed coverage for this event. A VPN may be needed to bypass geo-restrictions.
- Session Times: Afternoon sessions at 1:00 PM WAT, evening sessions at 7:00 PM WAT.
- VPN Option: Norton VPN can help access PDCTV by connecting to a UK or US server.
Note: PDCTV is unavailable in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, where DAZN or Viaplay hold rights. A VPN can bypass these restrictions by connecting to a UK, US, or Australian server.
Littler’s Next Steps and Fan Support
As Littler arrives in Belgium today, Friday, August 29, 2025, his second-round match on Saturday will be a critical test of his recovery. Potential clashes with van Gerwen, Humphries, or Chisnall in later rounds could define his tournament. Fans on X are rallying behind him, with posts like “Littler’s a warrior, he’ll still crush it” and “Get well soon, Nuke!” reflecting widespread support. The @OfficialPDC account has fueled excitement, sharing clips of Littler’s recent heroics, including a near-nine-darter.
