Luke Littler secures historic PDC Tour Card and World Darts Championship debut

Luke Littler has become the youngest player to secure a PDC Tour Card via the Development Tour and has also clinched a debut at the World Darts Championship.

At 16 years, six months and 28 days, Littler has made history by becoming the youngest player to earn a coveted PDC Tour Card and will join the circuit full-time in 2024.

The Cheshire sensation occupies second spot on the Development Tour Order of Merit with two events remaining but is guaranteed to finish inside the top three.

Gian van Veen currently leads the way at the top of the rankings but already holds a Tour Card and is set to seal his World Championship qualification via the ProTour Order of Merit, which ensures Littler will be part of the sport’s flagship event in December.

Littler, the reigning Junior Darts Corporation World Champion, has racked up four Development Tour titles this year and has affirmed himself as one of the sport’s most explosive emerging stars.

He has also claimed two Modus Super Series titles, scooping £50,000 in prize money in the process, adding to his £16,675 tally from the Development Tour.

Littler, who competed in last year’s WDF World Championship and became the youngest player to qualify for the UK Open earlier this year, will now head to Ally Pally to become only the fourth 16-year-old to feature in the sport’s show-piece event – joining Mitchell Clegg (2007), Max Hopp (2012) and Fabian Schmutzler (2021).

The 2023 Development Tour campaign draws to a close in Milton Keynes on Saturday, before the PDC World Youth Championship takes place on Sunday.

Wessel Nijman occupies third position in the Order of Merit and will join Littler in securing a Tour Card and World Championship spot unless Nathan Rafferty wins both events on Saturday.