The darts world was left reeling on Tuesday as two of its biggest names, world champion Luke Littler and three-time world titleholder Michael van Gerwen, suffered shocking first-round exits at Players Championship 11 in Leicester. The unexpected defeats sent ripples through the sport, proving once again that in darts, no one is untouchable—not even the game’s brightest star or its most seasoned legend. For fans accustomed to seeing Littler and Van Gerwen dominate, the day was a stark reminder of the sport’s unpredictability and the hunger of its underdogs.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy who has taken darts by storm, faced off against Ireland’s Dylan Slevin in what was expected to be a routine match for the reigning PDC World Champion. But Slevin, ranked far below Littler, had other plans. With an average of 92.74, he outplayed the teenager, securing a 6-3 victory that marked only the fourth time Littler has fallen in the opening round of a ProTour event. The loss was a rare stumble for Littler, whose meteoric rise has seen him shatter records and claim titles like the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts in 2024. “It’s a tough one to take,” Littler admitted afterward, his frustration evident but tempered by his characteristic composure. “Dylan played well, and I just didn’t find my rhythm. You’ve got to give credit where it’s due.” For Slevin, the win was a career-defining moment, a chance to prove he could hang with the best. “To beat Luke, the world champion, it’s massive,” he said, barely containing his excitement. “I knew I had to bring my A-game, and I did.”
Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch maestro known as “Mighty Mike,” faced his own upset against another Irishman, Brendan Dolan. The 35-year-old, who has long been a titan of the sport, struggled to find his usual precision, averaging just 88.65 as Dolan capitalized with a 6-4 win. Van Gerwen’s defeat was particularly surprising given his storied history and recent glimpses of a return to top form, including a commanding run to the World Championship final earlier this year. “It’s not good enough, simple as that,” Van Gerwen said, his disappointment clear. “Brendan took his chances, and I didn’t. Days like this happen, but they sting.” For Dolan, a veteran known for his consistency, the victory was a testament to his enduring skill. “You don’t get many chances against Michael, so you have to take them,” he noted. “I stayed focused and got the job done.”
The Leicester event, part of the PDC’s ProTour series, is a proving ground where top players face off against rising talents and seasoned journeymen alike. Tuesday’s results underscored the depth of the field, with players like Slevin and Dolan reminding everyone that rankings don’t always tell the full story. Littler, who burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old sensation at the 2024 World Championship, has faced immense pressure as the sport’s new face. His loss to Slevin came on the heels of a whirlwind year that included a 7-3 thrashing of Van Gerwen in the World Championship final, a victory that cemented his status as darts’ youngest-ever world champion. Yet, moments like this one in Leicester show that even “Luke the Nuke” is human, still learning to navigate the grind of a packed professional schedule.
Van Gerwen, too, has had his share of challenges. Once the undisputed king of darts, he’s been chasing a fourth world title since his last win in 2019. His rivalry with Littler has added a new chapter to his career, with the teenager holding a slight edge in their head-to-head battles. But Tuesday’s defeat to Dolan was a setback that highlighted the fine margins in elite competition. Both players, despite their losses, are expected to bounce back quickly, with the Premier League and upcoming majors looming on the horizon.
For now, the darts community is buzzing about Slevin and Dolan, who turned a routine ProTour event into a day of headlines. Their victories are a celebration of the sport’s competitive spirit, where any player, on any given day, can topple a giant. As Littler and Van Gerwen regroup, the message is clear: in darts, complacency is the enemy, and the next challenge is always waiting.