DRAW PDC Players Championship 32 | Luke Littler and Luke Humphries learn fate as Minehead qualification clock ticks down

As the Players Championship season hits its decisive stretch, every dart thrown at PC32 in Wigan this afternoon carries consequence. With just three events remaining before the cut-off for the 2025 Players Championship Finals, several big names, including world champion Luke Littler are under pressure to secure their Minehead qualification — while others aim to fine-tune form and confidence before the winter’s televised push.

Littler may be the reigning world champion and recently crowned World Grand Prix winner, but he finds himself in an unfamiliar position — outside the provisional top 64 on the Players Championship Order of Merit. Currently 73rd, the teenager needs around £2,500 to book his spot in Minehead, a target that should be within reach if he produces even a fraction of his recent televised form. After an early exit on Tuesday, this meeting with Dylan Slevin represents both opportunity and necessity. Littler’s scoring power is never in doubt, but his focus on the floor will be under scrutiny as he seeks to turn his season’s narrative back in his favour.

Humphries’ situation is less precarious but still not completely secure. A second-round exit at Players Championship 31 means the world number one remains on the fringes of guaranteed qualification, though one decent run here should all but confirm his Minehead ticket. Against the mercurial Keane Barry, Humphries will look to re-establish rhythm and composure, keeping things steady rather than spectacular. The world champion’s consistency in pressure moments should see him through, but this is a test he’ll want wrapped up quickly before the season’s final block.

Few players have shifted the narrative more dramatically than Nathan Aspinall. His run to the final on Tuesday — featuring two nine-darters and a string of elite wins — propelled him safely into the qualifying spots after starting the week outside the top 64. Freed from that pressure, Aspinall can now play with intent rather than fear. Plaisier, however, has shown flashes of top-16 calibre scoring on the floor this season, so complacency could be punished. Still, “The Asp” looks a different player when momentum is on his side.

Jermaine Wattimena arrives as the man of the moment, fresh off his second Players Championship title of the season and now sixth on the floor rankings. His demolition of Aspinall in Tuesday’s final capped a day of dominant, confident performances — and the Dutchman suddenly looks like a dark horse for Minehead success. Facing the steady Alan Soutar, Wattimena will aim to maintain that ferocity and avoid a post-title hangover.

Wright’s form remains inconsistent, but his experience and temperament keep him competitive even when scoring fades. This tie with Gabriel Clemens could serve as a litmus test for both players’ end-of-year form. Clemens, still seeking consistency after a disrupted season, will know a good run here could seal qualification, while Wright needs matches to find fluency before the majors return.

Cross has quietly pieced together a strong ProTour campaign without ever dominating headlines. Sitting comfortably inside the top 64, he’ll use this clash against Leon Weber to sharpen the edges ahead of the televised stretch. A deep run here would not just consolidate his ranking but reaffirm the steady standard that’s kept him near the top for most of the year.

Dave Chisnall’s meeting with Brett Claydon offers a chance for the St Helens thrower to stabilise his form, while Stephen Bunting faces Tom Bissell fresh off another strong showing in Wigan. Krzysztof Ratajski’s clash with Dimitri Van den Bergh has the makings of a tactical, high-quality opener, and Josh Rock’s meeting with Andy Boulton pits raw scoring power against experience.

With just three tournaments left to secure qualification, the margins are smaller than ever. For Littler and Humphries, the task is simple but unforgiving: deliver now, or risk an awkward wait. For Wattimena, Aspinall and the chasing pack, this Wigan leg represents something rarer — freedom to play without pressure, but with everything still to gain.

Martin Lukeman - | - Benjamin Reus

Dominik Gruellich - | - Graham Hall

Stephen Bunting - | - Tom Bissell

Danny van Trijp - | - Connor Scutt

Niko Springer - | - Jamai van den Herik

Mensur Suljovic - | - Jelle Klaasen

Luke Woodhouse - | - James Hurrell

Jim Long - | - Kim Huybrechts

Dave Chisnall - | - Brett Claydon

Ricky Evans - | - Dom Taylor

Wessel Nijman - | - Jose De Sousa

Haupai Puha - | - Greg Ritchie

Raymond van Barneveld - | - Darren Beveridge

Christian Kist - | - Robert Grundy

Cameron Menzies - | - Cor Dekker

Nathan Rafferty - | - Owen Bates

Kevin Doets - | - Tytus Kanik

Martijn Dragt - | - Lukas Wenig

Ross Smith - | - Rob Owen

Matt Campbell - | - Adam Hunt

Joe Cullen - | - Berry van Peer

Tommy Lishman - | - Adam Lipscombe

Luke Littler - | - Dylan Slevin

Lee Cocks - | - Jeffrey De Graaf

Peter Wright - | - Gabriel Clemens

Chris Landman - | - Matthew Dennant

Jonny Clayton - | - Joshua Richardson

Rhys Griffin - | - Danny Lauby

Krzysztof Ratajski - | - Dimitri Van den Bergh

Ted Evetts - | - Justin Hood

James Wade - | - Florian Hempel

Mickey Mansell - | - Madars Razma

Ritchie Edhouse - | - Carl Sneyd

Maximilian Czerwinski - | - George Killington

Josh Rock - | - Andy Boulton

Maik Kuivenhoven - | - Steve Lennon

Ryan Joyce - | - Joe Hunt

Stefaan Henderyck - | - Mario Vandenbogaerde

Chris Dobey - | - Thibault Tricole

Sebastian Bialecki - | - Stefan Bellmont

Rob Cross - | - Leon Weber

David Pallett - | - Brendan Dolan

Luke Humphries - | - Keane Barry

Tavis Dudeney - | - William Borland

Daryl Gurney - | - Oskar Lukasiak

Callan Rydz - | - Karel Sedlacek

Jermaine Wattimena - | - Alan Soutar

Patrick Geeraets - | - Adam Paxton

Michael Smith - | - Viktor Tingstrom

Andy Baetens - | - Scott Waites

Martin Schindler - | - Nick Kenny

Stephen Burton - | - David Davies

Niels Zonneveld - | - Sam Spivey

Dennie Olde Kalter - | - Marvin van Velzen

Dirk van Duijvenbode - | - Jitse Van der Wal

Ian White - | - Thomas Lovely

Ricardo Pietreczko - | - Richard Veenstra

Bradley Brooks - | - Darius Labanauskas

Damon Heta - | - Cam Crabtree

Alexander Merkx - | - Darryl Pilgrim

William O'Connor - | - Adam Warner

Radek Szaganski - | - Andreas Harrysson

Nathan Aspinall - | - Wesley Plaisier

Max Hopp - | - Ryan Meikle