Luke Littler has been absolutely unstoppable in the darts world this year, bagging six majors already, four of them ranked, plus two Euro Tour event titles. It’s been a truly ridiculous run, and we’re still talking about a perfect year at the majors being on the table. But let’s be real, with major events still left, that perfect streak is going to get tested. We need to look at what’s coming up and where “The Nuke” might actually slip up.
The Grand Slam and PCF: Some Early Round Jitters?
First up, there’s the Grand Slam of Darts. It’s easily one of the top five biggest majors out there, and honestly, Littler has owned it, winning the last two times he was in it. As the format gets longer later in the week, his chances of winning or making a comeback just shoot up, even if he’s trailing early. The only real danger here is that short group stage format, but let’s be serious, Littler rarely drops multiple games that fast. Then there’s the Players Championship Finals, where Littler’s made it the last two years. The big question right now, as of September 18, 2026, is whether he’ll even qualify this time around. If he makes it, I’m not seeing it as a massive threat to his major streak. But those opening rounds, with their Euro Tour-like leg format, could still cause some trouble. Plus, the seeding doesn’t always reflect the Main Order of Merit, which can set up some brutal early-round matchups.
European Championship and World Series of Darts Finals: Short Formats are Risky
The European Championship and the World Series of Darts Finals have pretty similar formats, and that’s where things get interesting. The field in the European Championship is a bit deeper, but again, it’s that short format early on that makes Littler vulnerable. We’re talking about the World Series of Darts Finals right now, literally as this is being written, so the bracket is already set. Knowing that bracket definitely pushes this event high on the list for where Littler could actually lose. He managed to get past Noppert in the first round, which is a good sign, but he’s got some seriously tricky ties lined up for the weekend. Those could absolutely jeopardize this insane active streak he’s on.
The World Grand Prix: The Ultimate Test for “The Nuke”
Forget all the leg-format talk for a minute, because the World Grand Prix throws a curveball unlike any other event out there: the “double in-double out” format. It’s a completely different animal. Add to that the set format, like the World Championship or World Masters, with those super short opening rounds (best-of-three or best-of-five sets), and you’ve got a recipe for chaos. Yeah, Littler’s one of the best double hitters in the world, no doubt, but we’ve seen it year after year: certain players just thrive in this specific event. You’ve still gotta expect a deep run from Littler, but he’s not the runaway favorite here like he is everywhere else. Remember that clutch 152 checkout in a 2025 WGP quarter-final? If that hadn’t happened, he probably wouldn’t even have a title at this event. That’s how close it can be. This is where the streak could really end.
This isn’t just about another win for Littler; it’s about holding onto that perfect major streak for 2026. The World Grand Prix is shaping up to be the ultimate proving ground. Get ready, darts fans, because this is going to be epic.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply