Luke Littler, the teenage darts sensation who has rapidly risen through the ranks, will have to wait a bit longer to break into the world’s top 16 after a surprising loss to Andrew Gilding on Saturday. Despite his phenomenal performances over the past year, the young player’s recent setback at the European Championships has delayed his advancement into this elite group—a position that many players view as the ultimate prize in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Order of Merit. For Littler, securing a spot in the top 16 would be transformative, opening doors to exclusive tournaments and favorable draws in major events.
Littler’s journey over the past 12 months has been nothing short of remarkable. Bursting onto the scene at Alexandra Palace last year, he quickly gained recognition as one of the sport’s most promising talents. Since then, he has accumulated an impressive list of achievements on his debut year on the PDC Tour, including clinching the prestigious Premier League title. Yet, despite this achievement, his win in the Premier League has had no bearing on his ranking within the PDC Order of Merit. Due to the unique nature of the Premier League, its points are separate from the main ranking system, meaning Littler’s position hasn’t benefited from this victory, compelling him to rely on the Pro Tour for ranking points.
The teenager’s rapid ascent in the sport has only intensified the spotlight on him, and with his unexpected loss to Gilding, he narrowly missed the threshold to enter the coveted top 16. Entering the match, Littler needed just one victory to earn the £10,000 required to secure his spot in the elite ranks. Instead, his loss relegated him to a £7,500 payout, leaving him approximately £2,500 behind current 16th-placed Ryan Searle. Littler’s defeat at this stage underscores the narrow margins in professional darts, where every match can significantly impact a player’s career trajectory.
Breaking into the top 16 is considered a “golden ticket” by many darts players, as it guarantees automatic qualification to key events such as the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix. As Matthew Edgar, former darts pro, once explained on his YouTube channel, “There’s a lot of implications that come from not being in the top 16…It’s a golden ticket.” This ranking serves as a gateway to the upper echelons of the sport, offering a player not just financial benefits but also the advantage of avoiding early-round matchups against higher-seeded players. Littler, despite his exceptional abilities, has experienced the downside of this system by drawing top-ranked players in earlier rounds due to his reliance on the Pro Tour ranking.
For instance, at the World Matchplay earlier this year, Littler faced the formidable Michael van Gerwen, ultimately losing 10-6 in a hard-fought opening-round match. A similar scenario played out at the World Grand Prix, where he was drawn against Rob Cross and suffered a narrow defeat. These early encounters against seasoned, top-eight players are often an uphill battle, even for rising talents like Littler. Moving into the top 16 would grant him the advantage of potentially bypassing these early clashes with established stars, giving him a stronger shot at advancing deeper into major tournaments.
Although he missed his chance to break into the top 16 at the European Championships, Littler’s trajectory in the rankings is still positive. His consistent performance over the year has placed him within striking distance of the top tier, with ample opportunities to make a push for a higher ranking. The World Darts Championships, set for the end of the year, will be one of the critical events where Littler can secure valuable points. He’s also slated to participate in other prestigious tournaments like the 2024 Players Championship Finals and the Grand Slam of Darts, where prize money—and by extension, ranking points—is considerable.
While Littler will be absent from the final two Players Championship series events next week, he has already locked in his spot for the Players Championship Finals, set to take place next month. With a total prize pool of £600,000, the tournament offers an enticing £120,000 to the winner. For Littler, a strong showing here could be just the boost he needs to finally break into the top 16. Meanwhile, his participation in the Grand Slam of Darts offers yet another pathway, with a prize fund of £150,000 and an automatic payout of £8,000 just for qualifying, even if he doesn’t progress beyond the group stage.
As he continues his pursuit of a place among darts’ elite, Littler has quickly become one of the sport’s most talked-about players. Fans and commentators alike are watching his every move, aware that his talent could soon see him challenging for major titles. Although the journey to reach the top 16 has been fraught with close calls and challenges, Littler’s resilience and skill indicate that his breakthrough may only be a matter of time. His debut season has already demonstrated that he possesses the technical abilities, mental toughness, and determination needed to compete with the best, and his recent setbacks are likely to only add fuel to his competitive drive.
For now, Littler remains on the cusp of his “golden ticket,” but his trajectory suggests that he won’t be waiting long. With more opportunities ahead in the upcoming months, Littler has both the talent and the drive to make his mark. His performance in the remaining tournaments of the season could well see him achieve his goal of joining the world’s top 16, an achievement that would mark a new chapter in his already promising career.