"If you’re a tournament sponsor and everything, you’d be fed up with that, wouldn’t you? - Vincent van der Voort expresses surprise at Luke Littler’s decision
PDC
The World Youth Championship throws up an unusual situation this year. Gian van Veen has opted not to defend his title, while Luke Littler is set to play. That contrast is striking to Vincent van der Voort, as Littler appears to be skipping the Players Championship Finals for now and could head into the Worlds with very few regular matches under his belt.
ADVERTISEMENT
Van Veen won the World Youth Championship in each of the past two years, but will not chase a third straight crown. Van der Voort understands that choice, he said on the Darts Draait Door podcast. “Those are the choices you make. From what I heard in his interviews last year, it was mostly about earning a Grand Slam spot. He already has that for this year. It no longer applies for next year. So he probably thought: that’s fine for now, I won’t play it.”
A third consecutive youth world title would be special, but Van der Voort also puts its value into perspective. “Aren’t we making it bigger than it is? Maybe. You’re judged on your senior titles.”
There’s also the fact that the World Youth Championship no longer sits directly alongside other commitments. “It used to. Then you were there anyway.” Now Van Veen would have to travel specifically for the youth event. With a packed calendar, rest may also be a factor, the podcast noted. “I’m fine with him not playing,” said Van der Voort.
Gian van Veen won the last two World Youth Championships but will miss the upcoming edition
Littler does opt for the World Youth Championship
Notably, Littler is on the entry list. That raises eyebrows, as the world number one has played hardly any Players Championships this season and is therefore not on course to qualify for the Players Championship Finals.
Van der Voort finds that combination peculiar. “That lad doesn’t want to go to the Players Championship Finals in Minehead. And then he plays a tournament where you qualify for Minehead, for Sunday night. Unbelievable.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The World Youth Championship final is staged during the Players Championship Finals weekend. That could mean Littler travels to Minehead for the youth finale but does not take part in the main event.
Van der Voort does not believe Littler has anything against Minehead specifically. “I don’t think it’s about Minehead. I just think he didn’t fancy those ProTours this year. More like he thought: I don’t need to play there.”
Still, it would create a striking image for the PDC if Littler reaches the youth final. “Then you’ve got, if he makes the final, the world number one on Sunday night, the world champion, someone who’s scooped just about every title and TV event, and he’s in the Development Tour final. And then the big final is played afterwards, and he’s not in that one.”
Van der Voort can see why that might not be ideal for the organisers and sponsors. “If you’re a tournament sponsor and everything, you’d be fed up with that, wouldn’t you? The biggest draw there is, the one carrying the sport right now, only comes over for the youth.”
Few matches before the Worlds
ADVERTISEMENT
Van der Voort is more concerned with Littler’s competitive schedule. If he skips the remaining Players Championships, his run-in to the Worlds could be very light. “If I were on his support team, I’d at least suggest something. Like: shall we reconsider? Otherwise he plays the European Championship and the Grand Slam. And that’s it before the Worlds.”
He questions that approach. “Isn’t that a bit thin? Proper matches. Look, the man has talent… Maybe he doesn’t need it at all. But you’d think: a bit of match sharpness.”
It matters too that Littler has gone out relatively early at two recent events. Van der Voort warns the schedule could become an issue if that happens again at the next TV tournaments. “He’s lost early at two tournaments now. If it goes wrong at the European Championship as well, or at the Grand Slam before the quarter-finals, then you’ve played very few matches before the Worlds. And that’s hugely important.”
Van der Voort therefore does not rule out Littler deciding to play a few floor events after all. “He might think: maybe I need a couple of ProTours to play myself back into form.”
“We never get insight into that”
ADVERTISEMENT
Much of this remains speculation. Little clarity is given around Littler and his planning, according to Van der Voort. “Maybe he’ll pick up four more ProTours. Or maybe he’ll let it depend on those two in England. That’s possible too. But we don’t know, because we never get any insight from him. That makes it very difficult.”
The World Youth Championship itself remains compelling, even without Van Veen. Littler is naturally one of the headline names in the field. Van der Voort also highlights players such as Beau Greaves and Sebastian Bialecki to watch.
Read also
There are Dutch prospects to follow as well. The podcast mentions Jurjen van der Velde, Jamai van den Herik, and Angelo Balsamo among others. Van der Voort is particularly enthusiastic about Balsamo.
“I’m very curious about Angelo. I think he’s a really good player. Just a good lad as well. He has the odd quirk now and then, but he really is a good player.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Van der Voort also sees plenty of development left in the young Dutchman. “I’m very curious how he’ll do, because he’s still developing. I think there’s a lot more to come from him. He just really benefits from good personal guidance.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Well,I suppose if you don't play the tournaments ,then why should any player qualify? There are players who enter every tournament,and if they don't win it,they carry on, spending money they haven't won,yet certain players seem to think they should qualify. Winners only I thinkrick6714-11-2026
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026