On September 16, 2025, the darts world found itself grappling with an unexpected conundrum, courtesy of its brightest young star, Luke Littler. At just 18, Littler has ignited a global surge in the sport’s popularity, but this meteoric rise has left industry titan Barry Hearn facing a unique “problem.” The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) chairman revealed that the overwhelming demand for darts events, fueled by Littler’s sensational performances, is stretching the sport’s infrastructure to its limits. With only 365 days in a year, Hearn admitted he’s struggling to accommodate the sport’s newfound global appetite, a challenge he both celebrates and laments.
Littler, affectionately dubbed “The Nuke,” burst onto the scene at the 2024 World Darts Championship, reaching the final at just 16. Since then, his trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now a world champion, Littler has amassed over £1 million in prize money and secured more than 15 PDC titles, including the prestigious Premier League. His infectious charisma and jaw-dropping skill have drawn comparisons to golf legend Tiger Woods, with Hearn noting, “It’s that type of Tiger Woods moment. When someone comes in and changes the sport to the benefit of everybody, including himself.” This phenomenon, dubbed the “Littler effect,” has propelled darts to unprecedented heights, with television viewership soaring and tickets for major events selling out in minutes.
The 2025 PDC World Championship, set to offer a £1 million top prize, underscores the sport’s financial boom, with the total prize pool across the year surpassing £25 million for the first time. Hearn credits Littler’s influence for this escalation, pointing to a landmark £125 million five-year TV deal with Sky Sports as evidence of the sport’s growing commercial clout. “It’s just getting bigger and bigger,” Hearn enthused, highlighting the surge in European events and the Premier League’s expansion to Belgium. Yet, this growth comes with a catch: the calendar is bursting at the seams. “I’m actually having a problem that there is only 365 days in a year! The demand worldwide is so huge that I could fill that twice,” Hearn confessed, underscoring the logistical headache Littler’s popularity has created.
Littler’s impact extends beyond finances and scheduling. His success has inspired a new generation of players, with Hearn warning established stars of a “tsunami of talent” on the horizon. He recounted watching a 10-year-old prodigy average 106 in a streamed tournament, a performance so remarkable it left him both awestruck and cautious about revealing the youngster’s identity. “He couldn’t reach the darts to take them out of the double top!” Hearn chuckled, emphasizing the sport’s accessibility as a key driver of its youth movement. Unlike other sports requiring expensive equipment or facilities, darts allows kids to “sling arrows” in their bedrooms, fostering a wave of fearless competitors who, like Littler, play without the burden of financial pressures or family responsibilities.
For Littler, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. His rapid rise has attracted “fake friends” eager to capitalize on his fame, prompting Hearn to offer sage advice: “Listen, you’re going to find you’ve got a lot of friends now, son. You’re 17 years old – don’t listen to anybody. Just put the money in the bank and forget about it.” This guidance reflects Hearn’s decades of experience mentoring sports icons like snooker’s Steve Davis and boxer Chris Eubank, emphasizing financial prudence and long-term focus. Littler, true to his grounded nature, responded with a smile, saying, “Yeah, that makes sense,” before returning to his Xbox—a reminder of his relatable, everyman appeal.
The global stage is now set for darts to expand further, with Hearn eyeing opportunities in markets like the United States, where Littler’s performances have sold out venues like Madison Square Garden. Yet, the sport’s heart remains at London’s Alexandra Palace, despite its 3,500-seat capacity struggling to meet demand. Hearn revealed that 90,000 tickets for the 2025 World Championship sold out in 15 minutes, with potential for 300,000 more if space allowed. Discussions about moving to a larger venue or expanding the tournament’s duration are underway, but Hearn remains cautious, noting, “It’s one step at a time. We’ve learned with Luke Littler that you sometimes can’t see what’s coming.”
As Littler prepares to defend his Premier League title and chase further glory, Hearn’s challenge is clear: harness the “Littlermania” sweeping the globe while ensuring the sport’s infrastructure can keep pace. The darts world is riding a wave of excitement, but for Hearn, the biggest problem might just be a welcome one—a testament to a teenager who has redefined what’s possible on the oche.
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