Luke Littler secured his first nightly win of the 2026 Premier League season on Thursday in Cardiff, beating Jonny Clayton 6-4 in the final at the Utilita Arena. The UK Open, darts’ equivalent of the FA Cup, begins today at Butlin’s Minehead Resort. The 19-year-old back-to-back world champion heads into it with his confidence restored and his Premier League standing transformed from seventh to the top four in a single evening.
Littler was clinical in Cardiff. He averaged over 111 in his semi-final win against Gerwyn Price, hit two 170 checkouts across the night, and came within a double 15 of completing a nine-dart finish in the final. Against Clayton, he averaged 106.44 with a 54.55% checkout rate, silencing a partisan Welsh crowd that had been willing their man home.
“It took me a little while to get settled in to this tournament, as it did in the first year,” Littler said. “I’ve done really well tonight and I’m proud of myself. The table looks good now, it wasn’t looking good when I was in seventh. It just goes to show that tonight I had to focus on myself.”
The UK Open picture
At 5/2, Littler is the market leader for the UK Open. His form has peaked ahead of the tournament, and on raw ability he is the best player in the field. This price represents fair value.
The reason to look elsewhere is the format. The UK Open uses a random draw after every round, with no seeding protection. Littler enters at the Last 64 stage on Friday evening, but could immediately face another top-32 player. Eight boards run simultaneously in a noisy, overheated Butlin’s venue that bears little resemblance to a standard arena. Upsets are baked into the structure of this event.
Clayton at 25/1
I know Jonny Clayton lost the Cardiff final but remains the Premier League leader after five nights. His route to Thursday’s final included victories over Gian van Veen and reigning Premier League champion Luke Humphries, both by 6-4 scorelines. His form has been remarkably consistent this season.
At 25/1, Clayton offers genuine value. He is a proven big-stage performer, comfortable in the kind of grinding, multi-round endurance test the UK Open demands. His averaging has been steady rather than spectacular, which is often the profile that thrives in a tournament where survival matters as much as brilliance. The price suggests the market has underrated him.
Greaves at 125/1 each way
Having researched the betting market I see Beau Greaves who recently become the first woman to hit a nine-darter on the PDC circuit as value eachway. At 125/1 each way, the downside is minimal and the upside is considerable.
The UK Open’s open-draw format is where David-versus-Goliath results happen. Greaves has the scoring power to trouble anyone on her day, and the each-way terms provide a safety net. A run to the latter stages would return handsomely at this price. She is a player in form whose odds do not reflect her ceiling.
The weekend ahead
The first three rounds take place this afternoon, with lower-ranked professionals and amateurs. The top 32, including Littler, Humphries, and Clayton, enter in Round 4 on Friday evening. The tournament runs through to Sunday’s final.
Littler will attract the most attention and the most money. But in a tournament designed to produce chaos, backing the favourite at a short price is rarely the sharpest play. Clayton at 25/1 and Greaves at 125/1 each way are the bets that stand out.
