Three-time world champion Michael Van Gerwen has launched a blistering attack on the PDC’s ranking system, claiming the Order of Merit has “lost all credibility” and accusing governing bodies of bending rules to favour teenage sensation Luke Littler.
In an explosive interview following his World Matchplay exit, the Dutchman did not hold back when discussing the rapid ascent of the 17-year-old phenomenon, who has shot up the rankings in record time.
“It’s a joke,” Van Gerwen told reporters. “The Order of Merit used to mean something. It showed who had consistency over two years. Now? Everything is done to protect Littler, to push Littler, to make sure he is seeded where they want him.”
The 35-year-old, a perennial rival to Michael Smith, Peter Wright, and now Littler, pointed specifically to the weighting of TV majors and the calendar schedule, suggesting that elite players are being disadvantaged to accelerate the teenager’s path to the top.
“How can a player with one year of results be ahead of men who have dominated for a decade? Because they’ve changed the invites, changed the seedings, changed the cut-off dates. It stinks.”
Van Gerwen stopped short of naming PDC chief executive Matt Porter directly but made clear his frustration is with the organisation’s leadership.
“I’m not scared of Littler. He’s an unbelievable talent, the best young player I’ve ever seen. This is not about him. It’s about the system. The credibility of the Order of Merit is gone. It’s becoming a marketing tool, not a sporting ladder.”
The PDC responded swiftly, dismissing Van Gerwen’s claims as “unfounded and emotional.” A spokesperson said: “The PDC Order of Merit is a transparent, merit-based system that has been in place for over 25 years. All players compete under the same rules. No individual is favoured.”
Luke Littler, who has remained silent on the controversy, is currently on the brink of breaking into the world’s top four following a string of finals appearances, including his historic run to the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace.
Fellow players are divided. World Champion Humphries said he “understands MvG’s frustration” but noted the rankings are mathematically fair. Others, speaking anonymously, admitted there is “a feeling backstage that the hype machine has changed how things are run.”
Van Gerwen, who has fallen to sixth on the Order of Merit—his lowest position in over a decade—warned that complacency is damaging the sport.
“If they keep manipulating the system for ratings, for headlines, for one player—they will kill what makes darts great. The board needs to wake up.”
Whether the Dutchman’s outburst sparks an official review or merely adds fuel to an already intense rivalry, one thing is certain: the 2026 season just got a lot more personal.
