Luke Littler fails to qualify for PDC World Youth Championship final in further blow for number one

Luke Littler has missed out on a place in the PDC World Youth Championship final after losing to Cam Crabtree in the semi-finals.

After an early exit from last week's World Grand Prix, the 19-year-old had been hoping to bounce back to form by reaching the Minehead showpiece for the World Youth Championship.

However, the PDC world number one suffered a 6-5 defeat to Crabtree, who had previously overcome 16-year-old Kaya Baysal - a player tipped to rival Littler in the future - in the last eight.

Although Crabtree led 2-0 and 4-3, Littler was able to make it 5-5 with a 117 checkout when Crabtree was left on 64 after 12 darts.

Cam Crabtree holds his nerve to beat Luke Littler in a sensational last-leg decider, whilst Jan Schmidt also won his semi-final - defeating Charlie Manby 6-3! The pair will face off for the World Youth Championship on Sunday, November 29 in Minehead. ? https://t.co/Vpw7yd8oKs

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 5, 2026

Nevertheless, despite Littler hitting a 180 to leave himself on 36 in the decider, Crabtree hit double six for a 16-dart leg to set up a final with Germany's Jan Schmidt.

Littler had earlier had to work hard to reach the semi-finals, coming from behind to beat both Lewis Cook and Archie Self in the last 64 and last 16 respectively.

Schmidt's run to the final was equally impressive, with Sebastian Bialecki, 2026 Pro Tour winner Henry Coates and Charlie Manby - who reached the last 16 of last year's World Championship - all defeated from the last 16 onwards.