Littler Faces 20 Challengers in £501,000 Netflix Special
World number one Luke Littler is set to feature in a high-profile television event this evening, as ‘Beat Luke Littler’ broadcasts live on Netflix. The programme, hosted by Gary Lineker and Richard Osman, will see 20 hopefuls each play the two-time world champion in a single leg of 501 for a top prize of £501,000.
The concept has generated considerable discussion among darts fans ahead of its 7pm broadcast. Controversy has centred on the selection of participants, with some questioning the inclusion of established PDC professional Fallon Sherrock and youth player Mitchell Lawrie. Netflix has since defended the line-up, which also includes a range of amateur players from a civil servant to other youth prodigies, arguing for a mix of recognisable names and underdog stories.
Former professional Chris Mason has also spoken out to defend the show against suggestions that it is a ‘money-making scam’. He highlighted the significant investment involved, stating that the production is “costing over a million pounds, and that’s before anybody beats him”. The single-leg format introduces a high degree of volatility, making an upset entirely possible against a player as dominant as Littler. The unique nature of this challenge will certainly be of interest to those who follow the markets; our darts betting guide offers more information on assessing such one-off formats.
Dobey Wins Third Title as Price Announces Break
On the PDC Pro Tour, Chris Dobey secured his third Players Championship title of 2026 with an impressive run in Den Bosch on Thursday. The event, PC32, concluded a midweek double-header, with Dobey defeating Tommy Morris 8-4 in the final. This victory adds to his earlier wins at PC3 and PC9 this year and provides a significant boost to his standing.
The win has propelled Dobey into second place on the Players Championship Order of Merit. His consistent form on the floor puts him in a strong position as the season approaches its climax, with the final qualifying spots for major tournaments becoming ever more crucial for players like Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall and Josh Rock, who are in what has been described as the ‘last chance saloon’ to secure their places via this route.
In other news from the professional circuit, former world champion Gerwyn Price has announced his withdrawal from all non-PDC appearances for the next year. Citing the need for a rest, Price’s decision will see him step back from the exhibition circuit and other commitments to focus solely on ranked PDC events. The move is a sudden one for the Welshman, who stated simply, “I need to take a break”.
Meanwhile, commentary continues following the recent European Championship in Dortmund. Vincent van der Voort expressed his bafflement at the on-stage reaction of his fellow countryman Gian van Veen after a defeat. “You’ve just taken a beating,” van der Voort was quoted as saying, reflecting on van Veen’s demeanour after the loss.
Yorkshire Lead the Way as Littler Inspires Young Fan
In the UKDA National League, Yorkshire have maintained their position at the top of the premier division after a hard-fought away victory against Warwickshire. The narrow 19-17 win was enough to keep them in pole position with 55 points from their first two matches. With Essex having a bye week, they have slipped down the table to sixth place on 22 points.
Away from the oche, Luke Littler made a special gesture for a young Scottish fan who credits the world number one with helping him through a battle with cancer. The 12-year-old, named Evan, had sent a video message to his hero, saying, “Hi Luke, it’s Evan. You help me through cancer and you inspired me to play darts. I’m your biggest fan and hopefully we get a chance to play with each other once.”
Littler subsequently surprised Evan with a personal meeting, where he also offered the youngster tickets to a Premier League Darts night. The meeting followed Evan’s triumphant recovery from his illness, during which his passion for darts and admiration for Littler provided a source of inspiration and resilience.
In brief
- Darts manufacturer Harrows has unveiled its Autumn/Winter 2026 collection. The launch, under the slogan ‘Inspired by Our Past, Built for What’s Next’, also introduces a refreshed brand identity for the company.
- The Harborne and District League season has concluded after a series of rearranged fixtures. Copper Fox ‘R’ completed their campaign with three matches, including a 5-4 win at Northfield Darts Club and an 8-1 victory at home against Thimble Mill.
