Why isn’t Luke Littler playing in Australian Darts Masters 2026?

THE Australian Darts Masters takes place this weekend – and there are some notable absentees. Gerwyn Price is No1 seed as he looks to claim his second title Down Under. Luke Littler hasn’t featured since his World Matchplay triumph Credit: Getty Gerwyn Price is eyeing back-to-back Australian Darts Masters titles Credit: Getty Images Premier League stars Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting and Gian van Veen also feature as the World Series reaches its climax in Wollongong. But last year’s Australian Darts Masters champion Luke Littler isn’t in the field. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Why isn’t Luke Littler playing in Australian Darts Masters 2026? World champion Littler isn’t in Australia as he is taking a break from the oche. The Nuke last threw a competitive dart in July, when he won the World Matchplay for the second year running. Speaking to The Ariel Helwani Show, Littler explained his decision to take a break, he said: “After my first full year on the tour, I was like, this is crazy, the (number of) flights. “When we go to Germany and stuff, we have to get like two flights just to get to one place. “But now obviously where I am in the rankings, number one, that’s why I’m missing tournaments and having more time at home. “Well this year I’ve decided not to go to Australia and New Zealand. That’s in August, the second and third week. “So, it’s probably 16 days in Australia and New Zealand. The time zone over there is mental. 10 hours, maybe 12 hours. Most read in Darts “So I’m not going there. I’ve got the whole of August off for the first time. “So we’re gonna go to Orlando. I’ve been to Orlando three times now.” Littler’s next time on the oche will likely be in Leicester for a Players Championship event at the end of the month. The Nuke currently has no prize money in the Players Championship order of merit and only the top 64 qualify for the Finals in November. Currently, the cut off is at Martin Schindler on £25,500 in winnings. The champ of each individual tournament gets £15k. Comment now