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'Hopefully I can pick up the trophy and come back in 2027': Luke Littler plans to skip World Series visit to Australia in 2026

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 10:44 AM ET

Luke Littler has revealed he may give the Australian Darts Masters a miss in 2026, despite being keen to return Down Under in future years. Speaking after his first-round win in Wollongong, the reigning World Champion explained that his long-term plan would see him rotate his World Series appearances in Australia.

Michael van Gerwen as he duly noted has decided to skip the tournament for the last few years but being a part of the so-called PDC elite, he won't not get invited going forward like perhaps others have. Littler has long managed his calendar and being straight after the World Matchplay, it is an opportune moment for a holiday as MVG, Wade and Aspinall who were all invited to this have shown.

All three snubbed invites and Littler who saw off Haupai Puha narrowly to open his campaign in Wollongong doesn't plan on battling the jet lag of Australia and New Zealand next year. He hopes though to return in 2027 to 'defend' his title of sorts if he wins it albeit nearly crashed out early to the Kiwi Tour Card holder.

“I think we’ve got to do most of the World Series,” Littler said to Online Darts. “Obviously we’ve seen Michael van Gerwen hasn’t been here for another two or three years. But yeah, I think as of now I’ll do two years, miss a year, two years, miss a year. Hopefully I can pick up the trophy and come back in 2027.”

Despite the travel demands, Littler says he’s getting used to the trip after his second visit to Australia, even if the journey comes with one unwelcome side effect - jetlag. “Oh, it’s awful — same as last year,” he said. “I think just stay up as long as you can until it’s a suitable time to go to bed. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. I feel OK now, it’s twenty-five past ten so hopefully I’ll get back and sleep well.”

The 18-year-old has made the most of his time away from the oche, swapping the practice room for some iconic Australian sightseeing. “Yeah, I went to the Opera House. I went to the zoo today in Wollongong — saw the koala bears, fed the kangaroos, fed the goats. There were loads of animals,” Littler smiled.

For Littler, getting out of the hotel is an important part of these trips. “I think for us players it’s good to get out of the hotel. Like 85–90% of the time we’re just stuck in a hotel, so it’s good to get out and experience things we probably won’t ever do again.”

On stage in Wollongong, the teenager battled past a slow start and a nervy finish to get his campaign underway. “Yeah, slow start. That’s what happens when you don’t practise before the match, when I’ve not picked up a dart. But it’s one of them — it’s the first round, it’s never easy against anyone. It’s always good to just get off to a good start,” he reflected.

Not touched his darts since Blackpool

Littler admitted he hadn’t touched his darts since winning the World Matchplay and completing the sport’s Triple Crown in Blackpool. “I’ve just been chilling out and doing what I usually do. But now I’m here, it’s down to work,” he said. “It’s a very special feeling [to win the Triple Crown]. But as we all know, we don’t count them — but for myself, I know what I’ve done.”

The match featured one of Littler’s now trademark moments — deliberately leaving 170, the “big fish”, on a finish. “I don’t even know — I think it’s just for myself,” he said. “At that point I was 5–4 up. Maybe I should have tried hitting the 180, but I knew I had the darts in the last leg. I just thought I’d try and leave it and finish it. If not, I’d have to break the throw in the last leg.”

As for conditions inside the WIN Entertainment Centre, Littler wasn’t too concerned. “It felt OK in the practice room and on stage. There wasn’t a breeze — it was just a bit cold on the hands.”

He now faces Damon Heta tomorrow who had a blistering start averaging around 110 so he knows if he doesn't start well tomorrow, he won't be returning in 2027 with the title that is for sure.