Rising star Luke Littler is set to face off against newly-crowned World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker in a highly anticipated last-16 clash at the Grand Slam of Darts. The matchup, taking place in Wolverhampton and broadcast live on Sky Sports, is expected to be a defining moment of the tournament. Littler, who breezed through the group stage with three wins out of three, has emerged as the man to beat following the surprising eliminations of several high-profile contenders, including reigning champion Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Michael Smith.
Littler, nicknamed ‘The Nuke,’ has generated significant buzz with his strong performances, positioning himself as a top contender to take the title. According to Mark Webster of Sky Sports Darts, Littler’s match against De Decker is a critical juncture for any remaining hopefuls. Webster believes that defeating Littler at this stage represents the last realistic chance for other competitors to prevent him from building unstoppable momentum.
“I wasn’t too worried about Littler coming into the tournament; he’s had some setbacks but has been outstanding throughout the year,” said Webster. “He cruised through the group stage, and I stick to what I said about Littler and Humphries. If you’re going to stop them, it has to be early. If Littler isn’t beaten in this round, I genuinely don’t see anyone stopping him from winning the event.”
Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle echoed Webster’s sentiments, highlighting Littler’s rapid ascent within the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ranks. “This is Littler’s debut year on the PDC tour, and he’s already in the top 16. There’s a lot to admire about him,” Mardle noted. “Mark is right—he’s got the talent and grit to become the champion when all is said and done.”
Despite his promising trajectory, Littler’s journey in major ranking tournaments this year has been unpredictable. The challenge presented by Mike De Decker, fresh off his World Grand Prix triumph, is significant. De Decker’s recent form suggests he is capable of causing upsets and further shaking up the tournament landscape.
Mardle sees De Decker’s rise as indicative of broader shifts within the sport. “Darts has changed quite a bit over the past year,” he remarked. “We’ve seen outsiders capturing titles, with De Decker taking the Grand Prix and Ritchie Edhouse winning the European Championship. Players outside the top 32 have elevated their game, while some of the big names inside the top 10 haven’t been at their best. It’s a strong top 10, no doubt, but players like Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price, and Jonny Clayton haven’t been hitting their peak.”
Mardle added that this volatility makes for an exciting spectacle. “It’s one of those phases where the gap between the bottom and the top is so narrow, and it makes every match unpredictable. As pundits, it might make us look foolish with predictions, but it’s fantastic for the sport—it keeps everyone guessing, and you just never know what will happen.”
For his part, Mike De Decker remains undaunted by the challenge of facing Littler. The Belgian player has earned his place in the spotlight with a series of impressive victories, having defeated elite players such as Damon Heta, Gary Anderson, James Wade, Dimitri Van den Bergh, and Humphries on his way to Grand Prix glory. De Decker is ready to bring his best game once again and is keen to add Littler’s scalp to his list of conquests.
“I’ve been causing upsets for a while now, especially on the floor at ProTour events,” De Decker stated. “Finally, I’m bringing that form onto the stage. Winning is always enjoyable, but it doesn’t surprise me anymore. Facing Littler will be tough, but I’ll treat it like any other match. I’ll put in three or four hours of practice beforehand and give it my all. It’s going to be a great game.”
The Grand Slam of Darts’ knockout stages continue with a packed lineup of last-16 matches. In addition to Littler’s clash with De Decker, fans can look forward to Gary Anderson taking on Stephen Bunting, Dimitri Van den Bergh facing Jermaine Wattimena, and Ryan Joyce squaring off against Gian van Veen. With the stakes higher than ever and the field wide open, the action promises to deliver drama, intensity, and potentially more shocking outcomes.
Don’t miss a moment of the Grand Slam of Darts as it unfolds live from Wolverhampton. Coverage of these thrilling matchups kicks off at 7 PM on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports +.