Luke Littler set to skip event for second straight year despite winning it before and already qualifying
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy and reigning PDC World Champion, is set to miss the 2025 Players Championship for the second consecutive year, despite a previous title win in the series in February 2024 and securing qualification through his ProTour Order of Merit ranking (www.thesun.co.uk, talkSPORT.com). The decision, reported on August 19, 2025, follows Littler’s 7-6 semifinal loss to Luke Humphries at the New Zealand Darts Masters, where he averaged a below-par 93 (@SunSport, @talkSPORT). In a cheeky response to the defeat, Littler quipped, “I’m going for a holiday,” signaling his intent to take a break after a demanding season (@SunSport).
Littler’s choice to skip the Players Championship, scheduled for late August in Hildesheim, Germany, echoes his 2024 decision to prioritize rest over the non-ranking floor event (www.dartsnews.com). In his 2024 debut, he made headlines with a nine-darter against Michele Turetta and clinched a maiden title, edging Ryan Searle 8-7, proving his prowess in the series (www.pdc.tv). His 2025 season has been exceptional, with 11 senior PDC titles, including the World Championship, Premier League, and a record-breaking 115.02 average in the New Zealand Darts Masters final against Humphries (www.sportbible.com). However, the Players Championship’s timing, post-World Series events, and its non-ranking status make it a strategic omission as Littler eyes the World Series Finals, where he’s seeded No. 1 (www.dartsnews.com).
The move aligns with top players like Humphries, who also skipped the 2024 event, and Michael van Gerwen, who bypassed the Australian Darts Masters citing jet lag (www.express.co.uk). Littler’s decision has sparked debate, with some fans on X criticizing his choice: “Littler’s skipping Players Champs again? Needs to respect the grind” (@DartsFanatic, August 19, 2025). Others backed his rest, noting, “Smart move by Littler. He’s already proven himself” (@TungstenTales, August 19, 2025). His approach mirrors strategic choices by athletes like Emma Raducanu, who withdrew from the US Open singles to manage injuries, or Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin focusing on the Davis Cup.
With £1.1 million in career earnings and a world No. 2 ranking, Littler’s focus on major titles like the upcoming World Series Finals in Amsterdam reflects a calculated strategy (www.pdc.tv). As “The Nuke” balances fame, fatigue, and expectations, skipping the Players Championship ensures he remains primed for darts’ biggest stages, ready to add to his already illustrious resume.
