Luke Littler: Once the Youngest Player in PDC Pro Tour History
For two remarkable years, Luke Littler was celebrated as the youngest player on the PDC Pro Tour, making waves in the sport of darts. However, a recent turn of events has seen this title passed on to another promising teenager, Yorick Hofkens. Both players share the same age of 18, but Hofkens is five months younger, inheriting the title after securing a two-year Tour Card at the recent EU Q-School event.
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Currently, Littler is preparing to celebrate his 19th birthday on January 21, while Hofkens will not reach that milestone until June. Despite this change, both players continue to be the only teenagers competing at the professional level in the PDC circuit.
Since he became the youngest player in early 2024, Littler has made a tremendous impact on the sport, having recently secured his second consecutive title at the PDC World Darts Championship. He has not only made history as the youngest-ever world champion, but he’s also risen to the top spot in the world rankings, demonstrating his immense talent and potential.
Who is Yorick Hofkens?
On the other hand, Yorick Hofkens has begun to carve out his niche in the world of professional darts. His journey took a significant leap forward when he secured his professional status at the EU Q-School following an impressive performance that included defeating seasoned players like Brian Raman and WDF world champion Jimmy van Schie. Hofkens will now hold his PDC Pro Tour card at least until the end of 2027, provided he maintains a position within the top 64 in the rankings.
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His introduction to the professional circuit has already seen him compete, having made his debut at last year’s Baltic Sea Darts Open where he narrowly lost in a last-leg thriller against Cameron Menzies. With his skills and determination, Hofkens is poised for exciting challenges ahead, beginning with his next appearance at the World Masters later this month.
When is Littler Playing Next?
As for Luke Littler, fans won’t have to wait long to see him return to the oche. He will be one of eight PDC representatives competing at the highly anticipated Bahrain Darts Masters this week. Littler previously made headlines with a stunning win at this World Series event two years ago and has since claimed three additional titles, including the 2024 Finals.
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The Bahrain Darts Masters marks the commencement of the 2026 darts season, with another major event, the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, slated to follow just a few days later. Given his track record, expectations are high for Littler as he seeks to add even more accolades to his impressive young career.
