Luke Littler is set to make his long-awaited return to ranking darts on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, as Players Championship 27 gets underway in Leicester. The teenage sensation, who has been absent from the ProTour circuit, begins his improbable bid to qualify for the Minehead finals. Littler currently sits on zero points in the Players Championship Order of Merit and is only planning to compete this week as he looks to force his way into contention.
Littler is joined by a strong lineup that includes world number one Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, both of whom are also returning to action after opting for holidays over World Series events. The trio headline a field that promises plenty of drama as the race for Minehead intensifies.
Littler's absence from the rankings has been notable, with the 19-year-old still stuck on £0 in the Order of Merit after the latest double header. That event saw Sebastian Bialecki storm into the top 10 of the Players Championship ranking, underlining the competitive nature of the circuit.
With the Players Championship series reaching a critical stage, all eyes will be on Leicester to see if Littler can spark a remarkable turnaround and secure his place at the Minehead finals.
