The darts world is abuzz with anticipation for the Austrian Darts Open, set to unfold from April 25 to April 27, 2025, at the Steiermarkhalle in Premstätten. However, the excitement has been tempered by the absence of some of the sport’s biggest names, including world No. 1 Luke Humphries and teenage sensation Luke Littler, the defending champion. The decision by these two, alongside other top-ranked players like Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, and Gary Anderson, to forego the European Tour event has left Austrian fans reeling and sparked widespread speculation about the reasons behind their withdrawal. As the darts community grapples with this unexpected twist, the focus shifts to the logistical challenges and strategic choices shaping the sport’s elite.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy dubbed “The Nuke,” captured hearts last year by clinching the Austrian Darts Open, his second European Tour title, with a commanding 8-4 victory over Joe Cullen. His meteoric rise, marked by a 2025 PDC World Championship win over Michael van Gerwen and a record-breaking set average of 140.91, has made him a must-watch talent. Similarly, Luke Humphries, the 2024 world champion and current world No. 1, has been a dominant force, with titles at the World Matchplay and Players Championship Finals. Their absence from Premstätten, alongside other heavyweights, is a significant blow to the tournament’s star power. “It’s a bummer for Austrian fans,” one observer noted online, capturing the sentiment of a fanbase eager to see the sport’s brightest stars.
The primary reason for their absence appears to be the logistical nightmare of reaching Premstätten. For English players like Humphries and Littler, the journey involves complex travel arrangements, often requiring stopovers due to the lack of direct flights. This challenge is compounded by the packed 2025 darts calendar, which includes high-profile events like the Premier League, where both players are key contenders. Littler, who leads the Premier League standings with four nightly wins, and Humphries, hot on his heels, have opted to prioritize these commitments and potentially lucrative exhibition events over the grueling trip to Austria. “The Austrian Darts Open is considered one of the most difficult tournaments to get to by transportation,” a darts insider remarked, highlighting the practical barriers facing players.
For Littler, the decision also aligns with his strategy to manage a demanding schedule. Fresh off a UK Open triumph in March 2025, where he dismantled James Wade 11-2, Littler has been selective about his appearances, skipping events like the International Darts Open in Germany after a rare off-night in Berlin’s Premier League. “If I do well and get into the other majors, I can drop out of stuff and take the days off,” Littler said after last year’s Austrian victory, underscoring his focus on balancing performance with rest. Humphries, meanwhile, has battled minor injuries, including a cut finger sustained during Premier League play in Glasgow, which may have influenced his decision to conserve energy for upcoming challenges like the World Matchplay.
The absence of the top four in the PDC Order of Merit—Humphries, Littler, van Gerwen, and Cross—alongside Price and two-time world champion Anderson, has opened the door for other talents to shine. Players like Joe Cullen, Raymond van Barneveld, Daryl Gurney, and Cameron Menzies, who must start from the first round, are joined by 16 qualifiers, including those emerging from a Leicester tournament on April 2. “The field is still competitive, but it’s a different vibe without the big names,” a fan commented online, reflecting the mixed emotions surrounding the event.
As the Austrian Darts Open unfolds, the darts world will miss the electric presence of Humphries and Littler, whose rivalry has defined 2025. Their decision to skip the event underscores the sport’s grueling demands and the strategic choices players make to stay at their peak. For now, fans in Premstätten will rally behind the remaining competitors, while Humphries and Littler prepare for their next showdown, likely in the Premier League or a major championship, where their darts will once again light up the oche.
<xaiArtifact artifact_id=”1fdc03ae-9e1c-4e99-8549-aa6ee9879f5b” artifact_version_id=”f0bb8cd2-cf11-4199-a8be-00bab85bd392″ title=”Why Humphries and Littler Skip Austrian Darts Open” contentType=”text/markdown”>