Luke Littler, the 18-year-old reigning PDC World Champion and world No. 2, is **not competing in the 2025 Swiss Darts Trophy** (September 26-29 in Basel, Switzerland), marking his second consecutive European Tour event skip this month after the Hungarian Darts Trophy. This decision aligns with his ongoing schedule management amid a grueling 2025 season, where he’s already claimed major titles like the UK Open, World Matchplay, and back-to-back World Series wins in Australia and New Zealand. Instead of the £175,000 Euro Tour event, Littler is prioritizing rest to recharge for the upcoming World Grand Prix (October 6-12 in Leicester), a prestigious double-in major where he’s confirmed to participate.
Why He’s Skipping: Fatigue and Peak Preparation
Littler’s packed calendar—over 100 matches since January, including a Triple Crown (World Championship, Premier League, Matchplay)—has led to selective absences to avoid burnout. Key factors include:
– **Post-Summer Recovery**: After a dominant but demanding run (e.g., defending his Belgian Darts Open title in June and a Premier League nine-darter in July), Littler has openly discussed needing “chilled weeks off.” His recent Hungarian exit (a 6-3 second-round loss to Danny Noppert on September 20) came amid fan speculation about a “major career announcement,” which he clarified as a lighthearted nod to more gaming time (he’s a FIFA/EA FC enthusiast). The Swiss Trophy, just two weeks later, falls in a natural breather spot.
– **World Grand Prix Focus**: The event’s unique double-in format (starting every leg on a double) suits Littler’s power game, but requires sharp precision. Skipping Basel allows targeted practice and mental reset—echoing his March 2025 European Darts Trophy absence for similar reasons. As he told BBC post-Hungary: “I’ve got to pick my battles… Grand Prix is massive, so yeah, time to chill a bit.”
– **No Crowd or Venue Issues**: Unlike his vocal discomfort with hostile German audiences (e.g., skipping the 2024 International Darts Open), Switzerland has been neutral territory. Last year’s inaugural Swiss Trophy saw him exit early (6-1 first-round loss to Rob Cross), but that’s not a deterrent—it’s pure logistics.
Tournament Context and Littler’s Form
The Swiss Darts Trophy features a star-studded field without Littler, headlined by world No. 1 Luke Humphries (seeded No. 1), Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price. Humphries, fresh off a Hungarian win, eyes his first Euro Tour title of 2025, while van Gerwen seeks to rebound from a quiet summer. Absent Littler shifts the favorites toward Humphries (-200 to win outright per bookies), with potential dark horses like Martin Schindler or Josh Rock.
Littler’s 2025 stats remain elite: 78% win rate, £1.2M+ earnings, and world No. 1 chase (trailing Humphries by 1,200 points). His absences haven’t hurt rankings—PDC Order of Merit rules award Tour Cards based on two-year earnings, and he’s cemented for 2026. Fans on X have mixed reactions: Some decry “missed rivalry” with Humphries (their last clash a 6-3 Swiss loss for Littler in 2024), while others applaud the maturity: “Smart move—Nuke’s building an empire, not burning out.”
Post-Swiss, Littler eyes the World Grand Prix as his next target, potentially facing Humphries in a blockbuster semi. For now, expect him streaming EA FC or hitting local Warrington boards—proof that even darts’ “Nuke” knows when to pause. If history’s any guide, the break will fuel another explosion. 🎯
