Reigning world darts champion Luke Littler has secured his place at the Players Championship Finals after a commanding performance in Players Championship 32, held at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan. The 18-year-old showcased exceptional form, averaging 110.73 and hitting 10 180s as he defeated Dutch contender Dennie Olde Kalter 8-2 in the final.

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Littler’s Road to Victory

Littler began the day focused on progressing through the early rounds, acknowledging the importance of self-belief in achieving success:
“At the start of the day it was just about getting through the early stages, and you need to believe in yourself,” he said.

His impressive journey to the final included victories over:

• Dylan Slevin 6-4
• Jeffrey de Graaf 6-4
• Adam Lipscombe 6-0
• Adam Hunt 6-4
• Rhys Griffin 6-3
• Stephen Bunting 7-4 in the semi-final, where he averaged over 109

Littler’s remarkable consistency and high scoring ability have propelled him from 67th in the Players Championship standings to a qualifying spot for the prestigious Minehead Finals.

“Trying to qualify for Minehead was at the back of my mind. I had seen some people on social media say I wasn’t going to make it, but I’m very happy with the way I played,” Littler added, highlighting his resilience under pressure.

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Dennie Olde Kalter’s Breakthrough

Olde Kalter, 33, is in his first season on the PDC Tour, having earned his place through Q School and currently ranked 140th in the world. Despite the loss in the final, he produced a memorable run to his first PDC final, defeating:

• Marvin van Velzen 6-3
• Niels Zonneveld 6-1
• Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5
• Scott Waites 6-1
• Nathan Aspinall 6-4
• Jermaine Wattimena 7-3

Kalter’s breakthrough highlights the depth of talent emerging on the PDC Tour and his potential to challenge top players in future events.

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Players Championship Finals 2025

The Players Championship Finals features the 64 best-performing players from a total of 34 events held throughout the year. The finals will take place in Minehead, Somerset, from 21–23 November 2025. Littler’s stellar performance in Wigan ensures his participation in this prestigious tournament, marking another milestone in his burgeoning career.

However, three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, 36, will miss the finals for the first time. He currently sits outside the top 64, having withdrawn from Wednesday’s event and confirmed he will not play in the final two events in Wigan on 29–30 October.

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Key Takeaways

• Luke Littler qualifies for Players Championship Finals at age 18.
• Averaged 110.73 with 10 180s in his 8-2 win over Dennie Olde Kalter.
• Littler’s journey included victories over top players, including Stephen Bunting in the semi-final.
• Dennie Olde Kalter reached his first PDC final in his debut season.
• Minehead Finals 2025 will feature the 64 best players from 34 PDC events.
• Michael van Gerwen misses the finals for the first time in his career.