In a sport where history is constantly being rewritten, teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has found his own remarkable achievement hitting a surprising roadblock. Despite completing what many in the darts world have dubbed the “Triple Crown,” the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has put an end to any hopes of officially recognizing the feat.
The so-called “Triple Crown” of darts is a prestigious and unofficial accolade for winning the sport’s three biggest tournaments: the World Championship, the Premier League, and the World Matchplay. It is a milestone that only a handful of players have ever achieved, including legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and most recently, Luke Humphries. Littler joined this elite club after a stunning victory at the World Matchplay, adding the final piece to his trophy collection after previously winning the Premier League and the World Championship. The achievement was widely celebrated by fans and media alike, who saw it as another testament to the 18-year-old’s meteoric and unprecedented rise.
However, PDC chief executive Matt Porter has thrown cold water on the idea of formalizing the “Triple Crown.” In a recent interview, he explained the organization’s stance, stating, “A small number of people have invented a phrase called the Triple Crown.” Porter’s core argument is that officially elevating some events to this special status would inadvertently diminish the importance and prestige of others. “All you do by categorizing some events at one level is relegate other events,” he reasoned. “If we said events A, B, C and D were at that level, what does that say about events E, F, G and H? That they’re still good, but it doesn’t work when we then go to sell those events.”
The PDC’s decision, while perhaps disappointing to Littler and his fans, is rooted in a commercial reality. The organization relies on the success of all its tournaments, and creating an official “super-tier” of events could make it harder to market the other majors. The PDC’s new prize money structure already categorizes events, making it easy for players and fans to understand their relative importance without a special, media-driven title. “This narrative is great, keeps you all busy, gives fans something to talk about over a pint,” Porter acknowledged, highlighting that the informal nature of the “Triple Crown” serves its purpose without the need for an official designation.
The decision also touches on a long-standing debate within the darts community about the inclusion of the Premier League in the “Triple Crown.” As an invitational, non-ranking exhibition event, some argue that it shouldn’t be on the same level as the two major ranking tournaments. As former PDC Tour Card holder Matt Edgar pointed out, “For me, it needs to be three big ranking events.” This perspective suggests that the “Triple Crown” should be a true measure of a player’s ranking dominance, not a mix of merit-based and invitation-only titles. “Sometimes players get in because of their walk-on, their personality, or because they’re from a country the PDC wants to promote,” Edgar added, emphasizing the political considerations that can influence Premier League selections.
Despite the PDC’s ruling, Littler’s achievements remain undeniable. At just 18, he has become the youngest player to win the World Championship and the World Matchplay, and he is now on the verge of becoming the world number one. His victories in the Premier League, the UK Open, and several other tournaments have firmly established him as a dominant force in the sport. His focus now remains on the oche, where he is preparing for his next tournament, and continuing his pursuit of the world number one ranking, a goal that he has openly stated. “I’ve looked at the rankings – provisional No 1 for the worlds if Luke [Humphries] doesn’t defend all that prize money – obviously I don’t want him to,” Littler said after his World Matchplay win. “I’d love to be No 1, but we’ll just have to find out. For myself, just try and add more money to my rankings.”
While the “Triple Crown” may never be an official PDC accolade, it will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of fans and the annals of darts history as a symbol of the sport’s greatest achievements. For Luke Littler, it’s a title that, while unofficial, cements his place among the all-time greats.
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