World number one Luke Littler has confirmed his entry for the 2026 PDC Winmau World Youth Championship, setting up a potential historic double.
The 19-year-old, already a two-time senior World Champion, will headline the 128-player field at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan on Monday 5 October.
The tournament will be completed down to the two finalists in a single day, with the showpiece final scheduled for Sunday 29 November at Butlin’s Minehead Resort during the Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals.
Littler, who won the title as an amateur in 2023 by beating Gian van Veen 6-4, returns as clear favourite. He was eliminated in the 2025 semi-finals by Beau Greaves.
Neither the reigning two-time champion Van Veen nor Greaves will compete this year, leaving the path clearer for “The Nuke”.
Seedings will be based on the PDC Order of Merit, placing Littler top ahead of Sebastian Bialecki and Keane Barry among the age-qualified Tour Card holders.
The remaining places will be filled from the final Development Tour Order of Merit after this weekend’s events in Wigan.
The winner will collect an increased first prize of £15,000, plus an invitation to the 2026/27 PDC World Championship.
Should Littler lift the trophy, he would become the first player to hold both the senior and youth world titles simultaneously.
Group-stage matches (best of nine legs) begin from late morning on Monday, with the knockout rounds (best of 11) deciding the finalists by the end of the day.
Images: PDC
