The World Darts Championship is again larger than ever, dwell on Sky Sports activities, with the speedy rise of Luke Littler serving to to take curiosity and pleasure within the sport to unprecedent ranges.
Littler was lower than a yr outdated when darts’ showpiece occasion first most moved to Alexandra Palace, however the teenager is now again as defending champion and looking out so as to add one other achievement to his already outstanding darting CV.
There have been excessive expectations from a younger age for Littler, who first performed the game as toddler on a magnetic board – whereas nonetheless in nappies – and describes listening to walk-ons of Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld amongst his early darting recollections.
Littler continued to cost via the junior ranks earlier than showcasing himself to the sporting world along with his dramatic World Championship debut, as a 16-year-old, the place he shattered expectations along with his thrilling run to the ultimate.
That maiden look threw Littler – and darts typically – again into the general public highlight, placing it on the again pages, producing large curiosity on social media and seeing the game interact with beforehand untapped audiences.
Luke Littler has performed a key function in darts’ speedy rise
Littler’s efficiency on the oche has continued to go from power to power, profitable nearly each TV main accessible inside the first two years of his skilled profession, whereas his influence off it continues to encourage a brand new wave of potential future stars.
The 18-year-old can now emulate Van Barneveld and ‘his idol’ Taylor by changing into a a number of world champion, having already cemented himself as one of many sports activities’ all-time greats, along with his journey to world No 1 a giant issue within the sport persevering with to develop.
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Talking on the Love The Darts podcast, Abigail Davies and Chris Murphy focus on Litter’s rise to world No 1 and who can problem him on the World Championship
“It’s just incredible – he appeals to five-year-olds and 75-year-olds!” stated Sky Sports activities’ Wayne Mardle, a former world championship semi-finalist and a part of this yr’s protection.
How the ‘Littler impact’ brings document curiosity
A document 128 gamers will characteristic within the 2025/26 World Darts Championship and aiming to win the £1m first prize, double the cash on provide for final yr’s contest, with the expansion extending a lot additional than the Alexandra Palace stage.
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Have a look again at the perfect moments of Littler’s profession as he appears to be like to retain the World Darts Championship
TV audiences proceed to develop, with occasions heading to Saudi Arabia and new venues throughout the globe, whereas Littler himself continues to be among the many highest-searched sports activities stars on Google.
A whole bunch of hundreds of kids have been given Littler-branded magnetic dartboards since their launch, along with his signature darts and iconic purple & yellow enjoying shirt additionally sort-after merchandise at ranges not seen earlier than.
The most important influence has been the elevated enjoying alternatives for junior gamers, with the Junior Darts Company (JDC) occasions – aimed toward gamers from 10 to 18 – have trebled inside 4 years with entries persevering with to succeed in document ranges.
A brand new era are taking to the game, with Jayden Walker making headlines for his performances as a 12-year-old, Mitchell Lawrie reaching the WDF world closing aged 15 and extra darts academies trying to unearth extra younger skills.
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Twelve-year-old darts prodigy Jayden Walker, who has been labelled the ‘subsequent Luke Littler’ by followers, speaks to Sky Sports activities Information after he beat Luke Humphries in an exhibition in 2024
“Thank god Luke didn’t come along 15 years ago, because there wouldn’t have been the infrastructure there is now to keep up with the demand,” JDC chairman Steve Brown instructed Sky Sports activities.
“Since Luke’s arrival on the world stage, the academies have exploded. What he has done for sport and kids in general…the impact has been amazing and most academies have waiting lists now.
“There was at all times a Luke Littler coming alongside via our system, however he has raised the bar now. All these youngsters who grew up watching him, or primarily bought into the game due to him, all count on to be nearly as good as him.
“What we’ve got is Luke up here, then 10 to 12 kids not far behind him. It used to be the parents dragging the kids along to the academies, but certainly now – after Luke Littler – it’s kids dragging their parents along!”
Littler has performed his function in getting darts again within the sporting highlight. Whereas he might proceed to be the person to chase within the months and years forward on the World Championship, others will maintain pushing to match his extraordinary achievements.
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The Love The Darts staff make their predictions for the World Darts Championship
“I wouldn’t be surprised if in five years, we had two teenagers in a [world championship] final battling it out,” Mardle added. “The social media world would be going absolutely bonkers at them because that’s what it is now.”
Watch ‘The Luke Littler impact’ on Sky Sports activities, with the brand new documentary accessible on Thursday December 11 at 6pm and repeated all through the World Darts Championship on Sky Sports activities Darts.
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match solely dwell from December 11 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel (Sky channel 407). Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW.
