LUKE LITTLER’S REWARD for his remarkable run to the World Championship final is a place in the Premier League.
The 16-year-old finished runner-up to world number one Luke Humphries at Alexandra Palace and his extraordinary run ensured record viewing figures for broadcasters Sky.
What a line-up for the 2024 @BetMGMUK Premier League Darts...
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 4, 2024
8️⃣ Stars
1️⃣7️⃣ Weeks
🏆 One Winner pic.twitter.com/97f17L6m88
That put pressure on the Professional Darts Corporation to include Littler, who turns 17 later this month, even though he has not won a major title and as a result the Warrington youngster is set to become the youngest player in Premier League history.
“It’s unbelievable. No more development tour. This is it. Playing in the Premier League and comfortably in the (world’s top) 32,” Littler told Sky Sports News.
The Premier League kicks off in Cardiff on 1 February with the Irish legs of the competition taking place at the 3 Arena in Dublin on 21 March and a week later in Belfast.
“As soon as I came off the stage, did the media and saw the family my manager pulled me aside and said ‘Do you want to do it?’ I said, ‘Let’s do it, it might not happen again’,” Littler added.
“I’ll probably have to take a break maybe from a few ProTours but I knew what was coming as soon as I said yes to the Premier League. This is just going to be an incredible experience.”
After being controversially omitted from the Premier League last year, new world champion Humphries was included this time around. Defending champion Michael van Gerwen, last year’s world champion Michael Smith and two-time world champion Peter Wright all automatically qualified via the PDC Order of Merit.
Former world No 1 Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall are also included, along with former world champion Rob Cross.
Humphries believes it was ultimately the correct decision for him but admitted Littler has to seize the opportunity he has been given.
“Luke did make the right decision. He’s a top talent in darts now and these are the sort of things you want to be playing in. How talented he is already he will grow to even greater heights,” said Humphries.
