Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy and reigning PDC World Champion, was rushed for emergency dental surgery on Thursday, August 28, 2025, just hours before traveling to Belgium for the Flanders Darts Trophy 2025. The procedure, prompted by severe tooth pain that left Littler “in pain for hours and hours,” has raised questions about his participation in the European Tour event, where he is a top seed aiming for his third title of the year. Despite being left “in shock and shaken,” Littler is determined to compete in Antwerp against a stacked field featuring Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and defending champion Dave Chisnall. Here’s a comprehensive look at the incident, its potential impact, and how fans in the UK, USA, Australia, and Nigeria can follow the action, as of 8:35 PM WAT, Friday, August 29, 2025.
Emergency Dental Surgery: A Race Against Time
Littler shared the harrowing details of his ordeal on 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, performed at Night and Day Emergency Dentist in Manchester, involved the removal of a tooth, leaving Littler rattled. “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,” he added. He also thanked the dental staff and sent a heartfelt message to his girlfriend, Faith, saying, “I love you,” highlighting the emotional toll of the experience.
The timing of the surgery, less than 48 hours before his second-round match on Saturday, August 30, adds significant pressure. Littler traveled to Belgium on Friday, August 29, and warned fans via Instagram, “If you see me in the airport, I’m just gonna have my AirPods in and I’m gonna be doing my own thing, so don’t be saying I’m arrogant because I’m not.” This plea reflects his need for space as he recovers from the procedure while preparing for the high-stakes tournament at the Antwerp Expo.
Flanders Darts Trophy 2025: A Formidable Challenge
The Flanders Darts Trophy, the 10th event on the 2025 PDC European Tour, runs from August 29–31 at the Antwerp Expo, offering a £30,000 top prize within a £175,000 prize fund. Littler, ranked world No. 2, is set to face Dylan Slevin in the second round on Saturday at approximately 6:00 PM BST (7:00 PM WAT), following Slevin’s first-round win over Belgium’s Francois Schweyen. As a top seed, Littler received a bye into the second round, but his path is fraught with challenges, including potential matchups against Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting, or defending champion Dave Chisnall, who won the 2024 event 8-6 against Ricardo Pietreczko.
Littler’s 2025 season has been stellar, with 11 titles, including the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay, and standout performances like a 108+ average in a 7-2 win over Gerwyn Price at the New Zealand Masters. However, his third-round exit at the 2024 Flanders Darts Trophy (6-2 to Dirk van Duijvenbode) and recent surgery raise concerns about his form. Adding to the drama, Gerwyn Price, also competing, was hospitalized earlier this week with an infected hand but is expected to play, setting up a tournament of battle-hardened stars.
Littler’s Resilience and Expert Insights
Littler’s ability to perform under pressure is well-documented, with X posts from @OfficialPDC showcasing his flair, including a 138 checkout and a near-nine-darter in 2025. Darts legend Phil Taylor, in a SPORTbible interview, praised Littler’s potential to break records but warned that opponents elevate their game against him, citing Gerwyn Price’s 115.31-average win (6-2) at the Bahrain Darts Masters in January 2025 as a “blueprint” for beating him. Taylor advised Littler to ignore social media negativity and manage finances wisely, lessons drawn from his own 16-time World Championship career.
Littler’s determination to compete despite his surgery aligns with his history of overcoming adversity, such as booing crowds at the 2024 German Darts Grand Prix. His love for Belgium, where he won the Belgian Darts Open in 2024 and 2025, could fuel his performance, but the physical toll of the procedure remains a wildcard.
Looking Ahead
Littler’s second-round match against Slevin on Saturday, August 30, at approximately 7:00 PM WAT will test his recovery, with potential clashes against van Gerwen or Chisnall looming. X fans are rallying behind him, with posts like “Littler’s a beast, he’ll still dominate” (@DartsFanatic) reflecting optimism. For updates, visit pdc.tv, sportbible.com, or dartsnews.com, and follow @OfficialPDC on X for live reactions. As Littler aims to turn pain into triumph, the darts world awaits his performance in Antwerp.
