Luke Littler is on the verge of claiming the top spot in the PDC World Rankings this weekend. The Machineseeker European Championship kicks off in Dortmund, featuring the top 32 players from the 2025 European Tour rankings competing for a share of the £600,000 prize pool.
Renowned players like Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, and Gerwyn Price will initiate the PDC Premier Event, followed by Littler, Luke Humphries, and Nathan Aspinall taking the stage on Friday. The tournament progresses with round two on Saturday, leading to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final showdown on Sunday.
The champion of the Machineseeker European Championship will walk away with £120,000, while the runner-up will secure £60,000. Semi-finalists will receive £40,000 each, and quarter-finalists will be awarded £25,000.
In the event of an early exit in the first or second round, players will still earn £15,000 and £7,500, respectively. Littler has a chance to surpass Humphries in the rankings by capitalizing on the substantial prize money at stake.
‘The Nuke’ is closely trailing ‘Cool Hand Luke,’ the current world number one. To dethrone Humphries, Littler must overcome the £52,500 earnings gap between them, especially if Humphries faces an unexpected defeat in the early rounds.
While eyeing the top spot in the world rankings, Littler faces challenges, including past issues with German crowds. Despite setbacks in previous matches, Littler remains focused on his goal of claiming the world number one position.
Looking ahead to the PDC World Darts Championship, Littler remains optimistic about his prospects. With determination and pressure on his competitor, Littler aims to ascend to the top spot before the upcoming championship.
The tournament schedule includes a series of exciting matches, with players like Ryan Joyce, Peter Wright, and Gerwyn Price facing tough opponents. The competition promises intense clashes as players vie for victory on the darts stage.