Luke Littler responds to Barry Hearn’s warning to players about skipping tournaments

Luke Littler has defended his decision to play in less events this season after overhauling his darts schedule.

The world No.1 has appeared at just three European Tour events and did not play in the Players Championship until last month.

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It represents a significant reduction in tournaments for Littler as he balances the busy PDC schedule with his private life.

However, PDC president Barry Hearn recently criticised players for skipping tournaments, although he did not single out Littler.

The 19-year-old has now explained his reasoning behind playing fewer events so far in 2026.

As well as his reduced EuroTour and ProTour exploits, Littler also opted out of the Australian and New Zealand Masters on the World Series of Darts in August.

Littler explains event selection

Speaking to the Press Association, the teenager revealed: "I think obviously it's just what's best for me and my family.

"Just having those crucial days off. I think we're going to see more days off just to rest.

"That's all I'm doing. I'm obviously world number one, and there's a massive gap between myself and world number two.

"I can sort of take that step back and not go chasing every single tournament.

"It allows me to have, obviously, days off and weeks off, and yeah, just about balancing the schedule."

Littler currently sits top of the PDC World Rankings, a position he has held since November after reaching the Grand Slam of Darts final.

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His nearest challenger, Luke Humphries, trails him by over £2million on the two-year rankings.

Since turning professional in 2023, Littler has earned a staggering £4,845,425 in prize money.

He returned to Players Championship action last month to kickstart his push to qualify for the Finals in Minehead.

Despite runs to the quarter-finals and semi-finals in Leicester, Littler remains outside the top 64 on the Order of Merit.

However, with six events remaining he can still earn his spot at the Finals, starting in Den Bosch on Tuesday.

Littler eyeing World Series glory

Littler plans to appear if he wins the World Series of Darts Finals this weekend.

A victory in Amsterdam would keep alive his hopes of holding all 11 PDC majors simultaneously as well as winning them all in the same calendar year.

He is not looking beyond this weekend, though, adding: "That's all you can do. I can't be looking forward any more than what's next, which is the World Series in Amsterdam.

"If I hopefully do win the World Series, then Tuesday and Wednesday I'll be in Den Bosch for the Pro Tours, try and qualify for Minehead. We've just got to see what happens in Amsterdam this weekend."

Littler faces Danny Noppert in the first round on Friday night.

Having lost to Michael van Gerwen in last year's final, the Nuke is aiming to recapture the title he won in 2024.

What did Hearn say?

Littler's latest comments follow Hearn's remarks last month over players skipping tournaments.

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He told Online Darts: "The way you motivate them is you pay them more money and if they want to miss out, they run the risk of slipping down those rankings.

"Before you know it, you won't be qualifying for the World Matchplay, the Grand Prix, the Grand Slam and maybe, because the competition is so intense, you'll be struggling in a couple of years for a Tour Card.

"But if someone starts pulling out of events, don't hold your breath to get invited to the World Series.

"If you're a top player, behave like a top player. You've got to give back as well as take and that's the way it will be."