The surge in darts’ popularity, known as the ‘Luke Littler effect,’ has led to a significant increase in demand for the sport, as confirmed by Barry Hearn. Prize money in darts is set to reach unprecedented levels this year, thanks to the impact of 18-year-old Littler, who rose to prominence at the 2024 World Championship and has quickly become a prominent figure in the sport.
Littler, now a world champion, has not only elevated his own status but has also positively influenced the sport as a whole, according to Hearn. The Matchroom Sports chief acknowledged Littler for driving the sport’s popularity to new heights and expressed challenges in meeting the global demand, emphasizing that darts is experiencing remarkable growth.
Hearn highlighted the exceptional performances of players, particularly praising Littler for his outstanding contributions. The financial landscape for players has also been transformed by the Littler effect, with Littler himself having earned over £1 million in prize money since entering senior events.
Moreover, Hearn announced that darts will break records this year in terms of prize money, with the total prize pool for events throughout 2025 surpassing £25 million. The continuous growth in demand has led to more European events and the relocation of the Premier League to Belgium.
In a recent competition, Littler was defeated by Michael van Gerwen in the World Series of Darts final, where Van Gerwen claimed victory and a prize of £80,000 after a spirited performance against Littler in front of an enthusiastic Amsterdam audience.