Luke Littler fails to qualify for PDC World Youth Championship final in further blow for number one

By Darren Plant | 05 Oct 2026 18:20, Last updated: 05 Oct 2026 21:07

Luke Littler has missed retired connected a spot successful the PDC World Youth Championship last aft losing to Cam Crabtree successful the semi-finals.

After an early exit from past week's World Grand Prix, the 19-year-old had been hoping to bounce backmost to signifier by reaching the Minehead showpiece for the World Youth Championship.

However, the PDC satellite fig 1 suffered a 6-5 decision to Crabtree, who had antecedently flooded 16-year-old Kaya Baysal - a subordinate tipped to rival Littler successful the aboriginal - successful the past eight.

Although Crabtree led 2-0 and 4-3, Littler was capable to marque it 5-5 with a 117 checkout erstwhile Crabtree was near connected 64 aft 12 darts.

Cam Crabtree holds his nervus to bushed Luke Littler successful a sensational last-leg decider, whilst Jan Schmidt besides won his semi-final - defeating Charlie Manby 6-3! The brace volition look disconnected for the World Youth Championship connected Sunday, November 29 successful Minehead. ? https://t.co/Vpw7yd8oKs

Nevertheless, contempt Littler hitting a 180 to permission himself connected 36 successful the decider, Crabtree deed treble six for a 16-dart limb to acceptable up a last with Germany's Jan Schmidt.

Littler had earlier had to enactment hard to scope the semi-finals, coming from down to bushed some Lewis Cook and Archie Self successful the past 64 and past 16 respectively.

Schmidt's tally to the last was arsenic impressive, with Sebastian Bialecki, 2026 Pro Tour victor Henry Coates and Charlie Manby - who reached the past 16 of past year's World Championship - each defeated from the past 16 onwards.