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Luke Littler is one of a host of top darts players not present in Wigan at the next two Pro Tour events of 2026. And The Nuke has already let slip his disdain for lesser Players Championship competitions.

At just 19, Littler has won almost everything there is to win on the PDC circuit and he lifted his second world title in January. But with the Premier League and other major titles to contend with, Littler has found little time for floor events this year. The Pro Tour's opening two tournaments in Germany were bypassed by the teenager last week and he is among the elite names skipping this week's outings in Wigan. But Littler is simply sticking to his word with this absence as he hinted last year he'd be toning down his schedule.

Pro Tour events build up to the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, a tournament Littler won last November. Winning in these events gives all those with a PDC Tour Card the chance to climb the Pro Tour Order of Merit and be seeded for the £600,000 pinnacle.

But before Littler's 2025 success, he preemptively predicted a change in schedule should he win. He said in November: "The Players Championship Finals is one that I've not got yet.

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"I definitely do want to get it. But if I was to win it this weekend then who knows what happens next year on the ProTour? Do I go to a few or do I not? I've been having discussions behind the scenes. Do I just do the ones in Wigan and don't go to the rest? We'll have to make that decision behind the scenes."

Speaking about his packed schedule, he added: "It's non-stop. I want to go back to my normal self, but I've been used to the fame for so long now. I think it would be weird if I isolated myself like for a week or something. But it's all learning curves and I'm getting used to it. It's definitely changed since that first Worlds but performance-wise I'm not stopping anytime soon."

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Littler explained earlier that month just why he dislikes the events so much. He said: "Everyone knows I hate the Pro Tours. All you hear is squeaky chairs and people chatting. I love the stage, I love producing it, especially when I'm playing like that."

The 19-year-old tasted victory over Nathan Aspinall in Minehead and is now fulfilling his claims by skipping these latest non-televised meetings at the Robin Park Tennis Centre. Joining him in bypassing these tournaments are Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson.