In the bustling heart of the PDC ProTour calendar, where floor events serve as the relentless engine driving ranking points, prize money, and qualification dreams, **Players Championships 7 and 8** are set to ignite the Mattioli Arena in Leicester on Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31. These back-to-back single-day tournaments will once again draw 128 players each day into a high-intensity battle for glory, with the eventual champion on both occasions walking away with a £15,000 winner’s cheque and valuable Order of Merit points that shape the rest of the 2026 season.
Yet, as the entries have now been confirmed, the headlines are dominated not just by who is competing, but by two conspicuous absences at the very top of the game. **Luke Littler**, the teenage world champion whose explosive talent has redefined darts in recent years, will miss both events. This continues a notable pattern for “The Nuke,” who has yet to make a single appearance in any Players Championship event during the entire 2026 campaign so far. Despite his dominance on the televised stage and status as one of the sport’s biggest draws, Littler’s selective schedule sees him bypassing the grind of these floor tournaments once more.
Joining him on the sidelines is **Luke Humphries**, the world number one, who has also opted out of the Leicester double-header. Humphries’ ProTour involvement this season has been limited, with appearances restricted so far to just Players Championships 3 and 4. His decision reflects the tough balancing act many elite players face amid the overlapping demands of the Premier League Darts, extensive travel, and the need to manage physical and mental energy across a packed calendar.
The list of Tour Card holders sitting out the events also includes Maximilian Czerwinski and Pero Ljubic. Additionally, **Gerwyn Price**—who currently leads the Players Championship Order of Merit—will compete only on Tuesday for Players Championship 8, giving Monday’s opening event a miss. This selective participation from the Welshman, who has been in strong floor form, further underscores how top stars are carefully calibrating their workloads to stay fresh for the bigger stages.
Despite these notable gaps, the fields for both days remain stacked with world-class talent, ensuring that Leicester fans and viewers worldwide will still witness top-tier darts action. Among the big names confirmed to feature are two-time world champion **Gary Anderson**, the ever-dangerous **Peter Wright**, **Michael van Gerwen**, **Jonny Clayton**, **Nathan Aspinall**, and in-form contender **Wessel Nijman**, who sits second in the current Players Championship Order of Merit standings. Other prominent participants include Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey, and a host of consistent performers who could easily capitalise on the absences at the top.
Adding an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability are several non-Tour Card holders and PDPA Associate Members who have earned their spots through the qualification system. Names such as **Joe Hunt**, **Martijn Dragt**, **Jack Tweddell**, and **Steve Lennon** will be in the mix, with Tommy Morris featuring only on the first day (Players Championship 7). These players bring the potential for shock results and underdog stories that have become synonymous with ProTour events, where anyone can produce a memorable run on a given day.
The format remains the same tried-and-tested structure: best-of-11 legs throughout until the later stages, culminating in best-of-19 leg finals. With £150,000 in prize money split across each event, every leg carries significant weight for those chasing ranking points and financial rewards. These tournaments are crucial building blocks in the 34-event Players Championship series, feeding directly into the Order of Merit that ultimately determines seeding and qualification for the lucrative Players Championship Finals at the end of the year.
For local supporters in Leicester, the double-header at the Mattioli Arena offers a fantastic opportunity to see high-level darts up close, even without the two Lukes lighting up the stage. The venue has hosted many memorable ProTour days, and the slightly more open field often creates space for veterans to rediscover their rhythm or for rising talents to make their mark. Wessel Nijman, in particular, will be one to watch as he looks to build on his strong position in the standings and push for his first title of the season.
The absences of Littler and Humphries are not without context in the broader 2026 landscape. With the Premier League demanding peak performance each week in front of large crowds and television audiences, many players are prioritising recovery and preparation over full ProTour commitment. Earlier in the season, similar choices were made for the opening Players Championship weekends, highlighting an ongoing conversation within the sport about schedule density, player welfare, and the strategic management of elite careers.
As the ProTour marches forward, these mid-season events in Leicester represent more than just another stop—they are a vital proving ground where momentum can be gained or lost. Points earned here accumulate steadily, influencing seeding for future majors and shaping qualification pathways. While some fans may express disappointment at missing out on seeing Littler and Humphries in action this week, the depth and competitiveness of the PDC field guarantee compelling storylines, sharp finishing, and plenty of drama across the multiple boards.
Whether it’s a seasoned campaigner like Gary Anderson finding his range, Michael van Gerwen powering through the draw, or an outsider producing a giant-killing performance, the Mattioli Arena is poised to deliver two days of pure darting entertainment. The oche awaits, the crowds will roar, and in the absence of two of the sport’s brightest lights, others will step forward with everything to prove.
In many respects, this Leicester double-header perfectly captures the essence of professional darts today: a relentless pursuit of excellence where strategy, resilience, and opportunity collide. As the 2026 season continues its rapid pace, every throw in these floor events could prove decisive in the long road toward the year’s major honours.