The Ladbrokes UK Open, often called the FA Cup of Darts, is set to take place at Butlin’s, Minehead.
Littler’s Dominance and UK Open Ambitions
Luke Littler has already secured two major titles this season: the Paddy Power World Championship and the World Masters. He also won the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters in January and the Poland Darts Open at the end of last month. Now, he’s aiming to retain his UK Open title and complete a quickfire hat-trick of major wins.
The only major titles missing from Littler’s resume are the World Cup and European Championship. These tournaments are scheduled for June and October, respectively.
Format and Advantage for Top Players
The top 32 players on the PDC Order of Merit receive a bye into round four. From that stage, each round is determined by a random draw. A total of 64 players outside the top 32 must win three matches to reach the fourth round, which will be played on Friday evening.
Littler’s past performances at the UK Open demonstrate his ability to perform well at the event. In the 2024 UK Open, Littler beat James Wade, Martin Schindler and Dave Chisnall, averaging more than 100 in each match, before losing to Damon Heta in the quarter-finals despite averaging 104.77. The Warrington warrior will have his game face on in Minehead.
Other Players to Watch
Mike De Decker receives a bye to round four. Connor Scutt has an easy third-round opener and could threaten a semi-final place with a favourable draw.
Event Details
- Dates: Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8
- Starts: 11am Friday
- Venue: Butlin’s, Minehead
The long matches (best of 19 legs from round four onwards) suit the king of modern darts.