'Back to bed' - Luke Littler barred from darts event after breaking strict rule

Luke Littler will not feature in today's Players Championship event after getting stuck in traffic.

The world champion was set to appear at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan for the penultimate round of the tournament.

However, posting on his Instagram story on Wednesday morning, he was unable to make it.

The 18-year-old posted a photo from the passenger seat of a car in gridlock and seemingly confirmed his withdrawal in the caption.

"Back to bed it is, wonder who they are gonna call up," Littler said.

As per The Sun, registration closed at 11am and failure to meet this deadline results in players being barred from the event.

Littler therefore had to forfeit his place in the tournament, but he is not expected to face further repercussions over his absence.

Littler later posted a message on his Instagram showing a screen shot of a local newspaper article revealing a man died in a traffic incident on the M6 in Wigan, suggesting this contributed to his delays.

"Missed registration today for the pro tour, but somebody sadly lost their life, thinking of everyone," Littler said.

The Brit has already sealed his place in the Players Championship finals, which take place in Minehead next month.

Littler success at 2025 Players Championship

Last year's runner-up has won just one event in this year's series.

He beat Dennie Olde Kalter 8-2 in the Players Championship 32 final earlier in the month.

Littler banked £15,000 for the victory, but will have his sights set on the prize offered at the finals in November.

The winner's share of the £600,000 prize fund stands at £120,000, with the runner-up earning £60,000.

Littler is currently ranked 34th in the Players Championship Order of Merit with a total of £36,000 in prize money.

All of the top 64 players qualify for the finals and have the chance to win one of the PDC's ranked tournaments.

Who will join Littler at the finals?

Gerwyn Price tops the Order of Merit ahead of the final two events in the series.

Damon Heta and Ross Smith make up the rest of the top three, whilst reigning champion Luke Humphries sits 54th.

But three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen won't be at the finals for the first time as he withdrew to spend time with his family.

What is the format at the finals?

All 64 players who qualify will be seeded via their Order of Merit rank.

The opening two rounds are played as the best of 11 legs, which then increases to a best of 19 legs in the third round and quarter-finals.

Both the semi-finals and final will then be best of 21 legs.

This year, Humphries could become the first player since Van Gerwen in 2017 to win three consecutive titles.

Minehead will host the finals from November 21 to 23.

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