Get ready for a thrilling week of darts in Leicester! The upcoming Players Championship events are set to be packed with action, but with a surprising twist: several of the sport’s biggest names, including Premier League stars like Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall, are confirmed to be absent. Even the participation of giants like Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price remains uncertain due to recent illnesses and last-minute withdrawals. This shake-up creates an incredible opportunity for rising talents to step into the spotlight and make their mark on the Pro Tour. The events will be streamed live, promising exciting darts and potential upsets.
Top Darts Stars Skip Leicester Pro Tour
The Mattioli Arena in Leicester is gearing up to host two Players Championship events next week, but fans will notice some significant omissions from the lineup. A total of six confirmed tour card holders will not be making the trip, and four of these are prominent figures currently competing in the Premier League. Their absence is particularly notable given their usual draw and star power.
Who’s Out?
- Luke Littler: The teenage sensation has opted to skip all Pro Tour events this season, and Leicester is no exception. This marks his sixth consecutive absence from the Players Championship circuit.
- Nathan Aspinall: A two-time PDC major champion, “The Asp” will also be missing from the Midlands.
- Gian van Veen: The Dutch number one is another significant name on the absentee list.
- Alexander Merx: Completing the confirmed withdrawals is fellow Dutchman Alexander Merx.
It’s worth noting that Stephen Bunting and Luke Humphries, who missed the first two events, made their return last week in Wigan, with Humphries even claiming a title. This demonstrates the competitive nature of the tour even with fluctuating attendance.
Uncertainty Surrounds Van Gerwen and Price
Adding to the intrigue, the participation of two other darts superstars, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, is still up in the air.
- Michael van Gerwen: “The Green Machine” recently withdrew from a Premier League night in Glasgow and subsequently pulled out of the Poland Darts Open due to illness.
- Gerwyn Price: “The Iceman” made a very late decision to forgo the trip to Krakow, withdrawing at the eleventh hour.
Both players are currently listed as provisional participants. However, those familiar with the Players Championship circuit know that final confirmations can be quite fluid, and withdrawals are not uncommon in the demanding Pro Tour schedule. Fans will need to wait for official updates to know if these titans will compete.
A Golden Opportunity for Rising Stars
While the absence of big names might disappoint some, it creates a massive opportunity for other players. The vacancies open doors for those looking to climb the rankings and make a name for themselves. This is where the true democratic nature of sport shines, offering a platform for unexpected surges.
Players set to benefit directly from these withdrawals include:
- Joe Hunt
- Martijn Dragt
- Jack Tweddell
- Steve Lennon
- Tommy Morris
- Tommy Lishman
With the exception of Tommy Lishman, each of these players has already gained an advantage from withdrawals earlier this season, giving them valuable chances to improve their ranking positions and potentially launch an unforeseen career surge.
Who Will Lead the Pack?
Currently, Stephen Bunting sits atop the Pro Tour Order of Merit, and he is actively competing in Poland this weekend. If Michael van Gerwen ultimately participates, his world number four ranking would make him the highest-ranked player present on the main Order of Merit.
However, should “MvG” withdraw, the distinction of the highest-ranked player would likely fall to Jonny Clayton. “The Ferret” is fresh off a Premier League nightly triumph in Glasgow and is currently ranked just one spot below the three-time World Champion.
Event Details and How to Watch
The Players Championship events will kick off at 1:00 PM GMT each day. Fans can catch all the action live!
- Coverage from four boards per event will be streamed via PDCTV.
- Various bookmakers’ platforms worldwide will also carry the live stream.
- For German-speaking fans, dedicated commentary will be available for streaming board one, ensuring a broad audience can follow the exciting narratives unfolding.
Don’t miss out on what promises to be a captivating display of darts, with new heroes potentially emerging!
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
