Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation known as “The Nuke,” has taken the sport by storm, becoming the youngest PDC World Champion in January 2025 and climbing to the world number two ranking. As fans eagerly anticipate his next moves, speculation surrounds whether he will participate in the 2025 Baltic Sea Darts Open, scheduled for July 11-13 at the Wunderino Arena in Kiel, Germany. This European Tour event, a key fixture in the PDC calendar, draws top talent, and Littler’s potential involvement is a hot topic given his meteoric rise and past performance at the tournament.
In 2024, Littler competed in the Baltic Sea Darts Open but suffered a surprising first-round exit, losing 6-3 to Wessel Nijman. “Can’t expect to play my best darts on 4 hours sleep,” Littler remarked, citing the grueling schedule of balancing the Premier League and European Tour. Despite this setback, his participation highlighted his commitment to the European Tour, where he has already claimed three titles, including the Belgian and Austrian Darts Opens. With his 2025 season already packed with victories—such as the UK Open, Grand Slam of Darts, and World Series Finals—Littler’s presence in Kiel would align with his ambition to dominate major tournaments and chase Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles. “If I want to break the record of Phil Taylor’s, I’m sure I’ve got the ability to,” he told Sky Sports, exuding confidence.
The 2025 Baltic Sea Darts Open features a 48-player field, with the top 16 PDC Order of Merit players, including Littler, automatically qualifying for the second round. As the world number two, Littler’s seeding is virtually assured, barring unforeseen circumstances. The event’s timing, just before the Betfred World Matchplay (July 19-27), makes it a valuable tune-up, and Littler’s history of prioritizing European Tour events suggests he’s likely to compete. In 2024, he faced Michael van Gerwen in a potential second-round clash, and with stars like Luke Humphries and Rob Cross returning, the tournament promises high-stakes matchups that Littler thrives on.
However, Littler’s participation isn’t guaranteed. His 2024 absence from the Nordic Darts Masters due to a family vacation in Florida shows he occasionally prioritizes personal commitments. Additionally, the demanding 2025 schedule—featuring the Premier League, World Cup of Darts, and US Darts Masters—could lead to strategic rest, especially after his 2024 Baltic Sea disappointment. Still, Littler’s hunger for titles and his status as a fan favorite make his appearance probable. The event’s broadcast on Viaplay and DAZN will amplify its global reach, and Littler, a media darling, is unlikely to miss a chance to perform on such a stage.
Ultimately, while no official confirmation exists, Littler’s ranking, competitive drive, and European Tour track record strongly suggest he’ll take to the oche in Kiel, aiming to erase last year’s early exit and further cement his legacy.[](https://dartsnews.com/pdc/cant-expect-to-play-my-best-darts-on-4-hours-sleep-luke-littler-feeling-effects-of-gruelling-premier-league-to-euro-tour-turnover)[](https://www.planetsport.com/darts/news/baltic-sea-open-draw-confirmed-as-luke-littler-is-set-for-early-michael-van-gerwen-collision)[](https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13126717/luke-littler-darts-schedule-next-match-latest-results-and-world-ranking-plus-how-to-watch-and-stream-live)
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