Joe Cullen is one of many players to question the value of the PDC’s overseas ProTour events.
The most recent was the Belgian Darts Open, as Luke Humphries beat Jonny Clayton 8-6 in the final to claim his ninth European Tour triumph.
Despite being ranked No. 2 in the world, Humphries competes in most tournaments on the circuit, with others picking and choosing.
Gerwyn Price, for instance, missed the action in Wieze to spend time on holiday in Benidorm. Meanwhile, some of the top professionals who travelled to Belgium complained about waiting for hours at border control as post-Brexit travel chaos continued.
In a packed schedule, some of the sports’ most popular figures, including Cullen, are threatening to withdraw from a few overseas events.
Joe Cullen shares his views on overseas ProTour events
During an interview with Winmau, Cullen questioned the value of overseas tournaments and admitted that he could withdraw from upcoming events abroad on the PDC calendar.
PRICE POWERS THROUGH!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 14, 2026
Gerwyn Price is superb in Germany, as The Iceman beats Joe Cullen 6-2, averaging just shy of 107!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 #ET2 pic.twitter.com/JRwunrhteJ
“I’m not in a position to do so yet. I think if I do miss events, it will be the abroad ProTours in Holland and Hildesheim,” Cullen said.
The world No. 33 even gave evidence of many big names already doing the same, which arguably has a knock-on effect.
“I have had my views on that in the past and was sort of hammered for that. But I think the numbers that are turning up to those events show I might have a bit of a point,” he added.
“Last year in one of them there were two members of the top 16 that turned up. I think it was Danny Noppert and Ross Smith.
“Everybody else missed them. So, I must have a point somewhere.”
Littler was one of the players to miss the European Tour 2 in Germany and was then beaten at the Belgian Darts Open by Niels Zonneveld, as his 12-match winning streak in Wieze came to an end.
Littler’s reason for missing tournaments is valid
After winning the Players Championship Finals in Minehead last November, Littler said he would step down from future events, and he’s since stuck to his word.
The 19-year-old has missed the first six Players Championships and is absent from the seventh and eighth tournaments in Leicester this week, with Price and Humphries also pulling out of the action.
| Rank | Player | Prize Money |
| 1 | Luke Littler | £2,966,000 |
| 2 | Luke Humphries | £1,241,500 |
| 3 | Gian van Veen | £946,750 |
| 4 | Michael van Gerwen | £715,250 |
| 5 | Jonny Clayton | £659,000 |
| 6 | James Wade | £633,750 |
| 7 | Josh Rock | £619,250 |
| 8 | Gerwyn Price | £617,750 |
Considering Littler has a whopping £1.7 million cushion at the top of the PDC Order of Merit, he isn’t desperate to compete in a Players Championship event that gives him £15,000 for winning it.
Instead, he’s focused on the major events, such as the Premier League, while only needing to win the European Championship to complete a career Grand Slam.
