Luke Humphries’ late withdrawal from the Dutch Darts Championship has thrown another twist into an already important weekend on the PDC European Tour, but the biggest consequences may fall on someone else entirely. While the world-class Englishman takes a break before the European Championship, Joe Cullen’s decision to pull out has left him facing a painful consequence: missing another major tournament.
For darts fans, this is about much more than two names disappearing from a tournament draw. The final European Tour event of the season can reshape qualification hopes, hand opportunities to unexpected contenders and change the momentum heading into one of the biggest events on the calendar.
Humphries Chooses Rest After Impressive Run of Form
Humphries’ withdrawal is particularly surprising because he had been playing some outstanding darts. The former world champion recently won the World Grand Prix, securing his ninth PDC major title, before reaching the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel.
His run there ended against Jonny Clayton, who continued his own impressive spell by claiming the title. Humphries had looked capable of adding another trophy to his collection, making his decision to skip Maastricht an unexpected development.
There is no publicly confirmed reason for Humphries’ withdrawal in the reports available at the time of writing. What is clear, however, is that he has already secured his place at the European Championship in Dortmund, scheduled for next week.
That makes the decision easier to understand from a sporting perspective. Humphries does not need to put himself through another demanding weekend to secure qualification for the next major, and a short break could help him arrive in Dortmund feeling refreshed.
Of course, missing a tournament always carries a competitive cost. Humphries had been expected to challenge for a 10th European Tour title, and his absence gives his rivals one less major obstacle to overcome.
Personally, I would not read too much into the withdrawal without knowing his reasons. Players have to manage busy schedules, and even the best in the world cannot realistically be expected to compete at full intensity every single week.
If Humphries returns to his recent level in Dortmund, few fans will be questioning whether missing Maastricht was the right call.
Joe Cullen Faces a Much Bigger Setback
For Cullen, the situation is considerably more damaging.
The former Masters champion sits 34th in the European Tour Order of Merit, around £3,500 behind Stephen Bunting, who occupies 32nd place. With the Dutch Darts Championship representing the final opportunity to improve his position before the European Championship, Cullen’s withdrawal has effectively ended his qualification hopes.
It is a tough outcome for a player who has already experienced the frustration of missing the European Championship last year. He will now miss the event for a second consecutive season.
The difference between Cullen and Humphries could hardly be clearer. Humphries can afford to sit out the weekend because his place in Dortmund is secure, whereas Cullen needed every available opportunity to keep his campaign alive.
There is no confirmed public explanation for Cullen’s withdrawal either, so it would be unfair to speculate about the decision. Nevertheless, the sporting consequence is undeniable.
This is where professional darts can be brutally unforgiving. Rankings reward performances over time, but when qualification depends on a final event, one missed opportunity can have consequences that last well beyond a single weekend.
Cullen has enjoyed major success in his career, including winning the Masters in 2022. His absence from another European Championship is therefore disappointing, particularly given the quality he has demonstrated on the biggest stages.
Still, qualification rules exist for a reason. Other players have worked their way into contention throughout the season, and those who finish inside the qualifying positions deserve their opportunity.
Two Replacements Get Their Chance
Humphries and Cullen will be replaced by Mike De Decker and Daryl Gurney, who earned their places as the highest-ranked players to lose in the deciding round of the Tour Card Holder Qualifier.
For both men, this is an opportunity to make the most of a late invitation to one of the season’s most important European Tour events. De Decker has already established himself as a dangerous competitor, while Gurney brings plenty of experience from major tournaments.
Neither can simply be expected to replicate Humphries’ influence on the draw, but both have the chance to make an impact.
Gurney also has an additional incentive. A deep run could potentially improve his position in the race for the European Championship, although the task is difficult.
This is one of the reasons late withdrawals can make darts so fascinating. A player who might otherwise have watched from home suddenly gets an opportunity to compete against the world’s best, with a chance to turn an unexpected opening into a memorable performance.
The challenge is enormous, but the opportunity is real.
Dutch Darts Championship Suddenly Looks Wide Open
The tournament takes place at MECC Maastricht from October 16 to 18, marking the final European Tour event of the 2026 season. There is £230,000 in total prize money, with £35,000 going to the winner.
Defending champion Clayton returns after beating Niko Springer 8-6 in last year’s final. His recent Swiss Darts Trophy triumph gives him another reason to approach Maastricht with confidence.
Gian van Veen now leads the seeded field, while Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert and Stephen Bunting are among the other notable contenders.
There is also an interesting Dutch angle. Van Veen, Van Gerwen and Noppert will have the chance to impress on home soil, where crowd support can add another dimension to an already competitive tournament.
Humphries is not the only major name missing, either. Luke Littler is also absent from the event, meaning fans will not see either of the sport’s headline-grabbing English stars competing in Maastricht this weekend.
That opens the door for other players to seize the spotlight. Van Veen has a particularly attractive opportunity to establish himself as the man to beat, while Clayton will be determined to defend his crown.
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, will know that performing well in front of Dutch supporters would provide a significant boost as the season approaches its biggest events.
The final European Tour stop is not simply another tournament. With the European Championship approaching, performances in Maastricht could influence qualification positions and give contenders valuable momentum.
What Happens Next for Humphries and Cullen?
The immediate focus for Humphries will be the European Championship in Dortmund. His recent results suggest that he remains a serious threat, and skipping Maastricht could prove a sensible move if it allows him to arrive in better condition.
For Cullen, the priority will be finding a way to respond to another missed opportunity. His absence from Dortmund will sting, but his career is not defined by a single qualification race. He has already shown that he can win important tournaments, and there will be more chances to rebuild momentum.
Ultimately, these withdrawals demonstrate two different sides of professional darts. For one player, taking a week away from competition is an option. For another, missing the same weekend can mean losing the chance to compete at a major championship.
The Dutch Darts Championship should still deliver plenty of drama, especially with Clayton defending his title and Van Veen leading the seeded field.
But will Humphries regret missing out if someone else claims the trophy, and can Cullen bounce back after such a frustrating qualification setback?
Share your thoughts: was Humphries right to prioritise the European Championship, and how damaging will Cullen’s withdrawal prove to be?
Gutted Luke Littler is not playing YET again.
Darts are not as exciting unless the both Lukes play.