As Luke Humphries prepares for his Grand Slam of Darts semi-final, the world No. 1 has made a surprising admission: he’s seriously considering skipping large parts of the 2026 PDC Pro Tour, particularly the Players Championship events. (The Sun)
What He Said
Humphries explained that the grueling 34-week floor schedule — which includes many Players Championship tournaments — is wearing on him. He suggested he might “give it a miss” next year and focus only on the major televised events. (The Sun)
He admitted he enjoys playing, but that the motivation and excitement just aren’t there for some of the lesser events on the tour. (The Sun)
Why This Matters
- Ranking Risk: Skipping the floor events would make it harder to earn ranking points through the regular tour, potentially putting his No. 1 spot in jeopardy. He acknowledged this risk:
“I may have to accept that I could lose the number-one spot for a couple of months … but I’m not giving it away as a gift.” (Dartsnews.com)
- Burnout Concern: Humphries clearly feels the physical and mental toll of a busy darts calendar.
- Major Focus: If he follows through, it would signal a shift to prioritizing prestige tournaments over quantity — betting on his ability to perform when it matters most.
Injury Context
Humphries also revealed he has been dealing with significant pain this week. He says he suffered a suspected back spasm and neck/shoulder discomfort, so bad that he almost withdrew before his last-16 match. (Sky Sports)
Despite that, he put on one of his best Grand Slam performances, averaging 108.55. (Dartsnews.com)
🔥 Mindset Before the Semi
When asked about retaining his No. 1 ranking, Humphries sounded realistic but determined:
“If Luke [Littler] takes over, he will be a worthy world number one … But I’m not going to give it away. I’m going to fight as hard as I can.” (PDC)
He also credited his team for supporting him through the pain, telling the PDC he can’t afford to ease up — not when the top spot and a major title are on the line. (PDC)
Bottom line:
Luke Humphries’ potential decision to skip Players Championship events marks a major shift in his career strategy — one that prioritizes longevity, health, and big-stage glory. If he follows through, it could reshape not just his 2026 season, but the way top players approach the Pro Tour.
