Luke Littler’s seismic impact on darts will only lead to greater competition in the future.
That’s the view of a leading Dutch darts analyst who claims the dominance enjoyed by Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen is unlikely to be repeated.
Littler has taken darts by storm since his run to the World Championship final in 2024.
The teenage sensation went on to win last year’s Premier League Darts before scooping his first world title at Alexandra Palace in January.
However, darts expert Jeroen van Veen doesn’t expect it to be one-way traffic for the 18-year-old, due in-part to the Littler effect.
“Partly because of Littler, darts is no longer covered only in sports or darts-related programs, but mainstream and worldwide,” Van Veen said.
“The excesses of that are that people totally lose sight of reality.
“They read that Littler signs million-dollar contracts, and if their 12-year-old son throws a 180 once, they think he’s worth tons.”
He continued: “I already see that at challenger tournaments an average of 95 is becoming the standard.
“The group coming from the bottom is so big and will become even bigger.
“We already notice that in the kind of items we sell throughout Europe: it’s about people who are starting to play darts. The top is not only getting younger, but also wider.
“The dominance that then Phil Taylor and later Michael van Gerwen showed for years in a row, you’re never going to see again.”
Meanwhile, Littler revealed that he has his eyes set on becoming world No.1 – a position currently held by Luke Humphries.
After sweeping aside James Wade 11-2 in Minehead last weekend, Littler laid bare his future target.
He said: “At the World Championship, Luke Humphries will be defending a hell of a lot of money, and if he doesn’t defend it, that could be my chance to shoot up to No.1.
“Obviously if I play him in any of these ranking events, I want to stop him from adding to his prize money or defending it. I think No.1 is in sight now.
“It’s another free year. I’m not defending anything. I want to add on and add on prize money to become world No.1.
“When Luke went out, everyone probably thought, ‘Littler’s going to win it now’ but I still had a job to do. I had to keep concentrating.
GettyLittler is eyeing Luke Humphries’ world No.1 spot[/caption]
“I had to beat Jonny (Clayton) in the semi-finals and putting those five legs together was important. Picking up this trophy means everything.”
