Darts superstar Luke Littler, the reigning World Championship runner-up, is surprisingly skipping the upcoming Players Championship events in Wigan – a venue where he famously launched his professional career. This unexpected absence, alongside other major names like Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson, throws the doors wide open for aspiring players to make their mark and grab crucial ranking points in what promises to be an electrifying weekend.
The Prodigy’s Hometown Skip
Darts sensation Luke Littler, fresh from his incredible run to the World Championship final, has made a surprising decision: he will not compete in the upcoming Players Championship double-header in Wigan. This choice is particularly noteworthy because Wigan’s Robin Park is practically his backyard – and the very place where his professional journey began with a bang.
Just two years ago, a then-unknown Littler burst onto the scene at Robin Park. He didn’t just win his debut Pro Tour event; he did it in style, casually throwing a nine-darter along the way. For Littler, a trip to Wigan meant a short, twenty-minute drive home to Warrington after victory. This time, however, the local hero will be conspicuously absent from the oche.
A Roll Call of Missing Stars
Littler isn’t alone in opting out. Several other high-profile players are also giving the Wigan events a miss, creating an even larger void and boosting the chances for others. These include:
- Michael van Gerwen: A three-time PDC World Champion.
- Gary Anderson: Another two-time PDC World Champion.
- Ryan Searle: A recent World Championship semi-finalist.
- Martin Schindler: Germany’s top darts player.
- Christian Kist: A former Lakeside World Champion.
- Matthias Ehlers
The collective absence of these top talents, representing numerous major titles, means the competition landscape is significantly altered. It’s a rare chance for players lower down the rankings to step into the spotlight.
Opportunity Knocks Loudly
For a group of determined hopefuls, this weekend in Wigan presents a golden opportunity. With fewer superstars to contend with, the path to prize money, ranking points, and crucially, qualification spots for bigger events, becomes much clearer. Players like Joe Hunt, Martijn Dragt, Jack Tweddell, Steve Lennon, Tommy Morris, Derek Coulson, and Scott Waites will be packing their bags with extra motivation.
In the fiercely competitive world of professional darts, such clear pathways don’t come around often. This is a moment demanding sharp focus, steady nerves, and an opportunistic mindset from those eager to climb the ranks.
The Road Ahead: Tournament Format
The Wigan event follows a familiar structure, mirroring recent Pro Tour stops:
- Two consecutive days of Players Championship action: These individual tournaments offer vital ranking points for the PDC Order of Merit and qualification for major televised events.
- European Tour Qualifying Skirmishes (Wednesday): Following the Players Championships, players will battle for coveted spots in upcoming European Tour events, specifically the Belgian Darts Open and the German Darts Grand Prix. Success here can significantly boost a player’s season.
Even though it’s still early February, the PDC Pro Tour season is already in full swing. The choices made by players now – whether to compete, rest, or focus on specific events – can have a profound impact on their standing and qualification prospects later in the year when the major televised tournaments loom large.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
