Darts World Shaken: Teenage sensation Luke Littler has signed an unprecedented multi-million Euro, ten-year deal with Target Darts, solidifying his future and the sport’s global reach. Meanwhile, veteran Simon Whitlock triumphed in the Modus Darts Super Series Seniors Showdown. We also have confirmed lineups for upcoming World Series events, significant rule changes for the PDC Europe Next Gen series, and updates from regional darts associations.
Littler Secures Historic Multi-Million Euro Deal with Target Darts
In a move that sends shockwaves through the darts world, Luke “The Nuke” Littler has extended his contract with Target Darts in what is being hailed as the largest and most valuable deal ever struck by a darts player. Sources indicate the agreement will bind Littler for another ten years and is valued at over 20 million Euros in total. This monumental contract includes not only fixed sums but also significant earnings from merchandising and product sales, reflecting Littler’s immense market appeal.
Garry Plummer, Chairman of Target Darts, expressed his enthusiasm: “I met Luke at the BDO World Youth Championship qualifier when he was twelve. His father asked us to sponsor him that day. We had never signed such a young player, but I saw something special in him, and the decision was easy. It has been a privilege to watch him grow as a player and a person. His successes on and off the oche are remarkable, and this new agreement acknowledges everything we’ve built together and the promising future ahead.”
James Tattersall, Group CEO of Target, added, “Luke’s rise has been extraordinary, and he has been instrumental in advancing both the sport and our brand worldwide. The scope of this new agreement not only reflects Luke’s achievements to date but also his immense potential. It secures the long-term future of our partnership and strengthens our ability to further drive darts through innovation, product development, and global growth.”
Littler himself shared his excitement: “Target believed in me from the very beginning, and I’m incredibly excited for many more years of collaboration. From my playing career to my product line, we’ve built everything together, and I’m thrilled to make our partnership long-term and see where it takes us next.”
Simon Whitlock Claims Seniors Showdown Title
While his son Mason Whitlock was attempting to secure a Tour Card at Q-School, veteran Simon “The Wizard” Whitlock dominated the Modus Darts Super Series Seniors Showdown, securing the weekly title. Whitlock put on a commanding performance in the final, defeating Steve West 4-0. West, despite his efforts, could not match Whitlock’s form, finishing with a 73-average compared to “The Wizard’s” impressive 95.43.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Steve West overcame Neil Duff 4-1, while Whitlock dispatched Michael Huntley 4-0 with an outstanding 105.47 average. Notable players like Paul Hogan, Terry Jenkins, Kevin Painter, Robert Thornton, and Trina Gulliver did not reach the final day of competition.
Seniors Showdown Results:
- Semi-Finals:
- Steve West 4-1 Neil Duff (79.37 – 72.10)
- Simon Whitlock 4-0 Michael Huntley (105.47 – 91.67)
- Final:
- Simon Whitlock 4-0 Steve West (95.43 – 73.20)
World Series of Darts: Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Lineups Confirmed
The fields for the upcoming World Series of Darts tournaments in the Arabian Peninsula have been announced. The lineups predominantly feature Premier League stars. However, there are some notable changes: Nathan Aspinall and Danny Noppert will step in for Josh Rock and Jonny Clayton.
Interestingly, the Saudi Arabia Masters will not include any local players from the host nation. In contrast, the Bahrain Darts Masters will once again see local talents Abdulla Saeed and Basem Mahmood competing.
PDC Europe Next Gen Introduces Major Rule Changes for New Season
With season passes for the PDC Europe Next Gen 2026 already selling fast, several significant rule changes have been unveiled for the upcoming season. These adjustments aim to enhance the competition and accommodate a larger number of participants.
Key Rule Changes:
- New Location: A new venue in Ried im Innkreis, Austria, will host events.
- Innovative League Mode: Designed for large fields of up to 384 starters, this new format randomly assigns each player three opponents. The top 128 participants will then advance to the knockout stage. This mode will be activated when more than 256 players enter.
- New Format – 170 Double Out: For the first time, in addition to existing formats, the 170 Double Out mode will be played. Distances for this format will be “Best of 9 Legs” in the group stage and “Best of 21 Legs” in the final.
- Youth Player Eligibility: To qualify as a youth player, participants must be at least 16 years old and 23 years old or younger on January 4, 2026.
- PDC Europe Super League Qualification: The number of players qualifying via the main ranking has been reduced to 16. An additional four players will qualify from the youth ranking. The PDC Europe still refers to 24 participants, leaving four spots currently unallocated and open to future announcements.
- PDC Order of Merit Top 64 Rule: Under new PDC rules, Top 64 players from the PDC Order of Merit are now permitted to participate in national World Championship qualifiers. This is a significant change, opening up more opportunities for top-tier players in domestic events.
Regional Darts Association Tournament Winners
The new year has already seen tournaments held by four regional darts associations across Germany. Here’s a quick overview of the winners:
- SADV: Nicolas Horn (Men), Tanja Ludwig (Women), Louis Berberich (Youth), Kevin Becker (Pairs)
- STDV: Philipp Agha-Mir-Salim (Men), Jutta Isensee (Women)
- SDV: Deniz Baudis (Men), Madlen Gebauer (Women), Bruno Willi Sauer (Youth)
- TDV: Marcel Bader (Men)
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
