Fans were left stunned after reports emerged that Luke Littler will not take home the full winner’s cheque from the Players Championship Finals — despite powering to the title in brilliant fashion.
The 18-year-old sensation claimed one of the biggest victories of his career with an 11–8 win over Nathan Aspinall, but what many didn’t realise is that Littler will lose a significant portion of his prize money due to strict tournament deductions and contractual obligations.
According to PDC regulations and commercial agreements attached to the event, Littler must surrender a sizeable part of his earnings to cover tax, management percentages, appearance commitments, and performance-related fees — something many rising stars face as their careers explode.
While the exact figure remains confidential, insiders suggest the teen prodigy could see tens of thousands siphoned off before the winnings ever reach his bank account.
A source close to the camp described it as “a harsh reality of climbing to the top so young”, adding:
“Fans see the £100k headline number, but the truth is Luke won’t walk away with anywhere near that. These are standard deductions, but they hit young players hardest.”
Littler himself appeared unfazed when asked about the financial cutbacks, insisting the trophy — not the cheque — is what matters most.
“Money comes and goes,” he said.
“But titles stick with you forever. I’m just happy to win.”
Still, fans have rallied behind the teenager, with many calling the deductions “unfair” and urging the PDC to offer more support to young stars navigating the business side of the sport.
For now, Littler remains focused on his next challenge — the World Darts Championship — where he’ll be hoping the only thing he loses is another chunk of his ever-growing bank balance, not his winning form.
