Luke Littler’s World Matchplay defence has moved into its next checkpoint, with entries for Players Championships 23-24 in Leicester closing on Monday before the July 6-7 ProTour double-header.
The PDPA calendar lists the Mattioli Arena events as the next Players Championship block, with the entry deadline set for Monday, June 29 at 2pm GMT. That matters because the two Leicester events sit directly in the final build-up to Blackpool, where the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay runs from July 18-26.
Littler is already secure for the Winter Gardens as the defending champion and top-end seed, but the Leicester cut-off is still significant for the field around him. ProTour money is the route for the 16 non-seeded qualifiers, so every late withdrawal, entry decision and draw position can alter who joins the ranked elite in Blackpool.
Leicester double-header raises Blackpool stakes
The PDC’s summer calendar has made the next fortnight especially compressed: two floor events in Leicester, then the final ranking scramble before the sport returns to the Empress Ballroom. The PDPA Players Championship calendar confirms PC23 for July 6 and PC24 for July 7.
For Littler, the headline is rhythm rather than qualification jeopardy. For the chasing pack, it is harsher. Players on the Blackpool edge now need Leicester entries converted into runs, not just appearances, because the Matchplay race is running out of floor events.
