
Shock at the Oche: Luke Littler Suffers Surprise First-Round Exit to Dylan Slevin
In a tournament known for its unpredictability and fierce matchups, few expected this. The 11th Players Championship event of the year in Leicester has delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season so far. Luke Littler, the teenage prodigy who has taken the darts world by storm, suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Ireland’s Dylan Slevin, who pulled off a clinical 6-3 win at the Mattioli Arena.
It was a match that showcased darts at its most unforgiving—a game of millimetres and moments—and on this day, it was Slevin who seized both.
Littler’s First-Round Exit Sends Ripples Through the Players Championship

Luke Littler crashes out of Players Championship in first round
Let’s not forget the stage here. This is Luke Littler, the 17-year-old sensation from Warrington, who only months ago became a household name by storming through the World Championship and claiming the crown. His blend of youthful confidence, fearless shot selection, and natural talent has made him the poster boy of darts’ new generation.
But on this chilly April afternoon in Leicester, Dylan Slevin, ranked 61st in the PDC Order of Merit, reminded everyone that there are no guarantees in this game. Slevin may not have the headlines, but he had the composure—and that proved more valuable than hype.
The Match: Slevin Steadies the Nerves, Littler Left to Chase

Luke Littler suffers early exit in Players Championship
From the opening leg, Slevin looked sharp. He established a 4-1 lead before many in the arena had settled into their seats. Littler, who averaged a respectable 90.11, found himself trailing to an opponent whose 92.74 average wasn’t just marginally better—it was delivered under pressure and with purpose.
The teenager showed his trademark resilience, pulling back two legs and narrowing the scoreline to 4-3. A comeback seemed very much on the cards.
But Slevin wasn’t in the mood to play a supporting role in a Littler highlight reel. The 22-year-old Irishman held his nerve with two sensational double tops—both under real pressure—to close out the match 6-3 and advance to the next round.
It was clinical. It was mature. And above all, it was deserved.
Slevin’s Breakthrough Moment?
While Littler’s early exit was the story for many, this was a defining moment for Dylan Slevin. The young Irishman, already considered one of the quieter risers in the PDC, has now thrown his hat into the ring as a player capable of upsetting the hierarchy.
This win wasn’t a fluke. It was a display of grit, accuracy, and mental strength—qualities that don’t always get the spotlight but are essential in the long grind of a Players Championship season. Could this be the result that ignites a deeper run for Slevin in the circuit?
Time will tell. But one thing’s certain—he’s now on everyone’s radar.
A Day of Shocks: Van Gerwen and Price Also Crash Out
Littler wasn’t the only big name sent packing early in Leicester. Michael van Gerwen, a titan of the sport, lost a dramatic 6-5 encounter to fellow Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven. The match was a classic back-and-forth that came down to a nervy decider, with Kuivenhoven holding his nerve to take a massive scalp.
Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price, one of the sport’s most charismatic and volatile talents, was outplayed 6-4 by his Welsh compatriot Rob Owen. The result further underscored just how deep and dangerous the Players Championship field can be. When the big names aren’t firing on all cylinders, there are hungry players waiting for their moment.
Even world number one Luke Humphries didn’t escape the Leicester carnage. He bowed out in the second round following a 6-5 defeat to Brett Claydon, another name who’s not always in the spotlight but knows how to grind out a win when it counts.
The Brutal Reality of the Players Championship
One of the things that makes the Players Championship so compelling is that there are 34 events spread across the year. It’s a war of attrition as much as it is a display of skill. Players compete week in and week out, battling fatigue, form slumps, and the randomness of the draw.
The events don’t have the TV lights and the glamour of Ally Pally or the Premier League, but they’re where reputations are built—or broken. A run of early exits can derail momentum. Conversely, one good week can launch a season.
For someone like Littler, still incredibly young and adapting to the professional rhythm, this was a bump in the road—but not a catastrophe. He’s already shown maturity beyond his years and will no doubt bounce back.
But the result does serve as a reminder: in this sport, talent alone isn’t enough. It has to be married with focus, consistency, and sometimes, a little bit of luck.
Littler’s Learning Curve: A Reminder He’s Still Just 17
Let’s take a moment to remember that Luke Littler is still only 17 years old. The hype is real, and the success has been rapid, but there will be moments like this. There have to be. That’s how a career is built.
Nobody wins every match. Even the greats have had to learn to lose before they learned to dominate. Littler has shown he can handle the pressure of big stages, but the grind of the Players Championship is a different beast. It requires an ability to win when you’re not at your best. To stay focused on a rainy afternoon in front of a sparse crowd. To show up, every time.
This loss might sting in the short term, but in the long run, it could be one of the best things that happens to him this season.
Looking Ahead: More Players Championship Action to Come
The journey doesn’t end here. With over 20 more Players Championship events still to come before the finals in Minehead in November, there’s plenty of darts left to play. The table will shift. New stars will rise. And those who falter will get chances to bounce back.
For Littler, this is a moment to regroup, learn, and return sharper. For Slevin, it’s an opportunity to ride the wave of momentum and carve out a name for himself among the sport’s elite.
As for the fans? Days like this are exactly why we love the sport. Nothing is ever certain. Every player, every match, every throw counts.
And sometimes, just sometimes, David beats Goliath.
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