Luke Littler Selected for Premier League Darts After World Championship Run

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16-year-old Luke Littler Makes History as the Youngest Player to Join the Prestigious Premier League Darts

Luke Littler, the 16-year-old sensation who reached the final of the PDC World Championship, has been selected for the upcoming Premier League Darts. This fairytale run has earned him a spot among the elite eight players who will contest the 16-week series, which begins in Cardiff on 1 February.

Despite being defeated 7-4 by Luke Humphries in the World Championship final, Littler’s exceptional performance has secured his place in the Premier League Darts, where he will be the youngest player ever to compete in the prestigious event.

Joining Littler in the tournament are world number one Luke Humphries, who will make his debut, and a lineup featuring defending champion Michael van Gerwen, runner-up Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Rob Cross, and Nathan Aspinall, the World Matchplay champion in 2023.

Luke Littler (16-years-old) becomes youngest person in history to reach the World Darts Championship Final 😱👏

(via @OfficialPDC) pic.twitter.com/FhG8FbQWOG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2024

Expressing his excitement, Littler said, “It’s unbelievable. No more development tour. This is it. Playing in the Premier League and comfortably in the (world’s top) 32.” He also mentioned that he is prepared for the challenge despite possibly needing to take a break from some ProTours to focus on the Premier League.

The Premier League Darts competition comprises 16 mini-tournaments held over as many weeks in different European cities. Each week will feature four quarter-finals in a knockout-style format, with matches being the best-of-11 legs. The winner of each night will earn five points, the runner-up three points, and the losing semi-finalists two points each.

The top four players in the table at the end of the 16 weeks will qualify for the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena on May 23. The play-offs will feature a best-of-19 legs semi-final followed by a best-of-21 legs final to determine the Premier League champion.

Kaya W. January 5, 2024