World Matchplay 2024 qualifying race: Luke Littler almost certain of debut after five tournaments already
PDC
Prior to the start of the Pro Tour season, it was really not a question of if but when Luke Littler would secure his debut at the World Matchplay. However, with half a year behind in qualifying, 'The Nuke' had to play some serious catch-up.
ADVERTISEMENT
By winning a Players Championship title right away in February, the 17-year-old Englishman was already able to add 15,000 pounds right away. In the three subsequent floor tournaments, he earned another 4,500 pounds, making up more than half of his deficit in the qualifying spots within a month.
Read also
The big blow, however, came last weekend at the Belgian Darts Open. Littler managed to win this Euro Tour tournament, earning 30,000 pounds. As a result, Littler is at once fifth on the sanctioned Pro Tour ranking for the World Matchplay. With a lead of 21,750 pounds in seventeenth place, Littler is extremely unlikely to miss out.
The Pro Tour rankings are currently led by Gary Anderson, while Ricardo Pietreczko and Gian van Veen are all but certain to make their debut in Blackpool. Raymond van Barneveld, Cameron Menzies, Scott Williams among others sit just outside, while Richard Veenstra for instance could yet make his debut with a few months ahead.
Read also
PDC Order of Merit
Rank - Name - Prize money (in units of £1000)
1 Luke Humphries 1394.75
2 Michael van Gerwen 1008.5
3 Michael Smith 984.75
4 Gerwyn Price 579.25
5 Nathan Aspinall 574.5
6 Rob Cross 539.25
7 Peter Wright 467
8 Dimitri Van den Bergh 462.75
9 Jonny Clayton 448.5
10 Dave Chisnall 448
11 Damon Heta 434.75
12 Joe Cullen 387.5
13 Danny Noppert 376.5
14 Chris Dobey 370.5
15 Dirk van Duijvenbode 363.25
16 Ross Smith 357.75
----------
17 Stephen Bunting 349.25
18 Andrew Gilding 320.75
19 Ryan Searle 312.5
20 James Wade 310.25
21 Josh Rock 305.25
22 Gary Anderson 290
23 Gabriel Clemens 288.5
24 Luke Littler 268.25
25 Krzysztof Ratajski 267.75
26 Martin Schindler 257
27 Jose de Sousa 239
28 Brendan Dolan 232.75
29 Daryl Gurney 232.5
30 Raymond van Barneveld 221.75
31 Scott Williams 181.25
32 Ricardo Pietreczko 167
PDC Pro Tour Order of Merit
ADVERTISEMENT
Rank - Name - Prize money (in units of £1000)
1 Gary Anderson 71.5
2 Ricardo Pietreczko 70.5
3 Ryan Searle 69.5
4 Ryan Joyce 54.5
5 Luke Littler 50.75
6 Stephen Bunting 50.75
7 Gian van Veen 48
8 Krzysztof Ratajski 43
9 Josh Rock 40.75
10 Callan Rydz 35.25
11 James Wade 35
12 Daryl Gurney 35
13 Andrew Gilding 32.75
14 Mike De Decker 31
15 Luke Woodhouse 30.5
16 Brendan Dolan 30.25
----------
17 Kevin Doets 29.5
18 Jose de Sousa 29.5
19 Cameron Menzies 26.25
20 Gabriel Clemens 26
21 Raymond van Barneveld 25.75
22 Martin Lukeman 24.75
23 Jim Williams 24.5
24 Martin Schindler 24.25
25 Ritchie Edhouse 23.75
26 Scott Williams 22.25
27 Richard Veenstra 22
28 Jermaine Wattimena 21
29 Ricky Evans 19.25
30 Niels Zonneveld 19
31 Stephen Burton 18.75
32 Mickey Mansell 18.75

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
- 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
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026





