Northern Ireland’s darts sensation, Josh Rock, is set to make his highly anticipated Premier League debut, and the atmosphere in Belfast is already electric. The city is preparing for a monumental clash as Rock faces off against the sport’s biggest star, Luke Littler, in what promises to be an unforgettable night. Rock, a national treasure and World Cup winner, acknowledges the immense pressure and excitement, confidently stating his intent to finally defeat Littler, despite their friendly off-stage relationship. This article delves into Rock’s journey, the dramatic rise of darts, and the fierce rivalry that has captivated fans, all building up to his home soil showdown.
The Premier League Arrives in Belfast: A Homecoming Like No Other
When the Premier League Darts roadshow rolls into Belfast’s SSE Arena on February 26th, it won’t just be another night in a long season. For Josh Rock, it’s a coronation attempt, a deeply personal homecoming fueled by noise, nerves, and sky-high expectations. Adding explosive energy to the event is the presence of Luke Littler, the darts phenomenon, standing opposite Rock on stage.
Rock himself predicts, “I think it’s going to be absolutely nuts,” a statement that might well be the understatement of the Premier League season. This moment marks new territory for the County Antrim native, as he joins darts’ elite traveling circus: eight players, seventeen grueling weeks, with nowhere to hide.
Darts Transformed: The Littler Effect
Rock understands just how much the landscape of darts has changed since Northern Ireland last had a Premier League representative. “Daryl Gurney was the last one from Northern Ireland,” Rock explains, “but that was prior to COVID, and darts wasn’t as big back then. Now, the game is bigger than it has ever been.”
This growth means:
- Bigger crowds
- More intense noise
- Immense pressure
And at the heart of this transformation is Luke Littler. Rock openly credits Littler’s meteoric rise for the sport’s current boom:
“Everything has to go down to Luke Littler. If it wasn’t for him doing what he did when he was only 16 and winning the Worlds the past two years, the sport wouldn’t be where it is now. Everyone has to thank him for it.”
The sport has “gone through the roof,” offering far more opportunities than when Rock was a youth player a decade ago.
The Rivalry: Rock vs. Littler
The match-up in Belfast is particularly compelling because of the intense rivalry between Rock and Littler. “I play Luke in Belfast, so we’ll see what happens,” Rock says, a smile hinting at his determination. Their encounters have become must-watch events:
- Every match has seen both players hitting 100+ averages.
- Rock has often been in the lead but has struggled to “get over the line.”
- Despite past results, Rock remains confident: “I’ll get him yet.”
This on-stage rivalry, however, is balanced by a strong off-stage friendship. “We talk to each other almost every day,” Rock reveals, highlighting the sportsmanship that underpins their competitive battles.
Josh Rock’s Journey to the Elite
The past year has been transformative for Rock’s career. He’s seen a steady climb in rankings and delivered sharper performances. A key factor in his recent success has been an equipment change:
“I switched manufacturing company, and I think that’s been the biggest difference, and now I’m into the Premier League, which was one of my goals.”
Being selected for the Premier League was a moment of immense relief and excitement for Rock. “The night before the Premier League line-up was announced, I didn’t sleep,” he admits. The confirmation, just 20 minutes before the official release, brought a wave of relief.
While the reality of it hasn’t fully “sunk in” yet, Rock anticipates the moment he steps onto the Belfast stage: “When I’m standing up on that stage in Belfast, it’s going to hit me. I might be a bit nervous, but I’ll enjoy the moment.”
For Rock, Premier League inclusion is a definitive stamp of approval: “They always say you’re not one of the elite players until you’re in the Premier League. Now I can say I’m one of the elite players because I’m on television for the next 17 weeks straight. It’s a good feeling.”
Ambitions Beyond Belfast
Despite a tough exit from the recent World Championship, Rock’s ultimate ambitions remain clear:
- To become a World Champion: “I do believe one day I’ll be a world champion. I’ll be happy to walk away from this game with one world title.”
- To reach the O2 for the Premier League final four.
- To climb into the top four in the world rankings this year.
But first, his focus is firmly on Belfast: the noise, the pressure, the intense battle with Littler, and the beginning of seventeen weeks to prove his place among the darts elite. As Rock says, it’s going to be “absolutely nuts.”
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
