Littler tribute after missing event over traffic incident

Due to heavy traffic congestion and a serious incident, world champion Luke Littler was denied entry to Wednesday’s Players Championship 33 event.

The 18-year-old was scheduled to compete at Wigan’s Robin Park Leisure Centre in the penultimate Players Championship competition in 2025.

However, he had to withdraw because he missed the players’ registration deadline of 11:00 GMT.

Later, it became known that a fatality occurred in an M6 incident.

Someone sadly lost their life after I missed my registration for the pro tour, Littler wrote on Instagram. “Thinking of everyone.”

Charlie Manby, a fellow Englishman, was chosen to take Littler’s place, who is ranked 174th in the PDC’s merit order. He defeated world champion Rob Cross 6-5 before falling to defeat in the second round.

On Thursday, Littler will be able to participate in the final event of the year, event 34, which will take place at the same location.

The Players Championship finals, which will take place in Minehead, Somerset, on November 21 through November 23, are open to the top 64 players.

At event 32 this month, Littler, who finished second in the 2024 finals, claimed his first Players Championship event victory to advance to the finals.

Due to a family holiday, three-time world champion and third-place player Michael van Gerwen will not be present at this week’s events.