Littler withdraws from Dutch events after Amsterdam reception
Luke Littler has withdrawn from this week’s Players Championship events in Den Bosch, a decision that comes in the immediate aftermath of a difficult weekend at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. The reigning world champion was scheduled to play in Players Championship 29 and 30 on Tuesday and Wednesday, but has now pulled out of the ProTour double-header. Furthermore, his name is absent from the entry list for the upcoming Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht, suggesting a broader break from competing in the Netherlands.
The move follows Littler’s 10-4 quarter-final defeat to Jonny Clayton in Amsterdam, a tournament where his matches were overshadowed by a hostile reception from parts of the local crowd. The 19-year-old was subjected to booing and whistling during his games, a recurring issue he has faced at some European venues. Fellow professional Vincent van der Voort suggested the cumulative effect was noticeable. He observed that while the booing may have been less pronounced against Clayton, Littler had “had enough” and that the negative atmosphere from the opening two days had “spilled over”.
Littler himself had stated prior to the World Series Finals that he would only travel to Den Bosch if he won the Amsterdam event, so his withdrawal is not entirely a surprise. However, the context of the crowd’s behaviour has cast a shadow over his decision. The two Players Championship events are being held at Maaspoort, marking the return of the PDC ProTour to Holland after a long absence. The absence of the sport’s world champion is a significant blow to the occasion. Top players, particularly those with a demanding Premier League schedule, often selectively manage their ProTour appearances across a long season that features 34 such events, but the circumstances surrounding Littler’s decision have raised wider concerns about player welfare and the potential for such incidents to deter players from competing.
Munyua secures second successive Alexandra Palace appearance
As the professional circuit navigates its schedule, the road to the World Darts Championship continues around the globe. In Nairobi, Kenya’s David Munyua booked his place at Alexandra Palace for a second consecutive year after winning the inaugural Northern Africa Qualifier. His victory was sealed in the most dramatic fashion, as he edged out compatriot Evans Njuguna in a tense deciding leg in the final.
Munyua, 30, made a significant impact at last year’s World Championship, becoming the first Kenyan player in history to win a match on the famous stage. His return is a testament to his ability to perform under pressure, particularly as it followed a modest season on the African continental tour where he had not reached a final. He began the qualifying event in ruthless style, winning his first two matches without conceding a leg. He continued his dominant form with a 5-1 victory over Uganda’s Acidri Isaac Passi to reach the quarter-finals, where he remained unstoppable on his way to the final showdown.
His qualification comes through a new route established by the PDC this year. In a move to grow the sport’s global footprint, the allocation for African players at the World Championship was increased to two spots. Munyua’s triumph in the Northern event ensures he will once again represent his nation in London this December, a welcome return for a player who provided one of the memorable stories of the previous tournament.
World Grand Prix title defence looms in Leicester
The focus of the PDC calendar will soon shift to the next major televised tournament, the World Grand Prix, set to run from 28 September to 4 October. For the past few years the event has been held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, having moved from its traditional home in Dublin during the COVID-19 pandemic. This 29th edition of the tournament will feature an increased prize fund, with the champion taking home a cheque for £150,000.
The 32-man field is comprised of the top 16 players on the main PDC Order of Merit, supplemented by the top 16 from the one-year ProTour Order of Merit who have not otherwise qualified. The tournament is renowned for its unique double-in, double-out format, a challenge that has tested the world’s best for decades and often produces unpredictable results. Players such as Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Stephen Bunting will all be expected to feature prominently.
Luke Littler enters as the defending champion after his stunning 6-1 victory over Luke Humphries in the 2025 final, a win that was a key milestone in his remarkable ascent. After his withdrawal from the events in Den Bosch, he will have a short period away from the oche before beginning his title defence in Leicester. As both the holder and the world champion, the best darts betting sites will undoubtedly install him as one of the favourites, but his form and focus upon returning to the televised stage will be watched with great interest.
In brief
- Scott Robertson has established an early lead in the Super Series, producing a flawless run to win his first five matches.
- American Leonard Gates endured a difficult weekend on the domestic circuit, falling 21 points behind Fred Krueger, who claimed his third title in five events to take a commanding lead in their tour’s standings.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode is currently managing physical problems, according to his compatriot Vincent van der Voort, who confirmed that “there is something that isn’t right” with the player.
