Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A look back at Luke Littler's astonishing debut as the teenager made history at the World Darts Championship
A look back at Luke Littler's astonishing debut as the teenager made history at the World Darts Championship
Teenage sensation Luke Littler has made his Premier League debut following his sensational run to the World Darts Championship final.
The 16-year-old sparked the interest of the sporting world with his remarkable rookie appearance at Alexandra Palace, where he broke numerous world records and helped generate the highest viewing figures in tournament history before finishing second. .
Littler became the youngest player to win a World Darts Championship match and had the best average by a debutant, with the rising star brushing aside UK Open winner Andrew Gilding, childhood hero Raymond van Barneveld and l former world champion Rob Cross.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the 2024 World Darts Championship final between world number 1 Luke Humphries and teenager Luke Littler
Luc Humphries called for him to be included in the Premier League roster after recovering from 4-2 down to beat the new fans' favorite 7-4 in a thrilling final, with the PDC now confirming that Littler is making part of the eight names confirmed for the 2024 Campaign.
“It’s amazing,” says Littler told Sky Sports News. “No more development tour. This is it. Playing in the Premier League and comfortably in the (world top) 32.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Wayne Mardle and John Part look at what the future holds for Luke Littler, after the 16-year-old narrowly missed out on his first world title.
“As soon as I got off stage and met the media and saw the family, my manager took me aside and said, 'Will you do it?' I said, “Let’s do it, maybe it won’t happen again.”
“I'll probably have to take a break after a few ProTours, but I knew what was coming as soon as I said yes to the Premier League. It's going to be an incredible experience.”
The Premier League will take place on Thursday evenings from February to May, starting on February 1 at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, and all 17 weeks will be broadcast exclusively live at venues across the UK and Europe. Aerial sports.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
World darts champion Luke Humphries says he expects many more battles against Luke Litter in the years to come.
New world champion Humphries will headline this year's edition after winning four major titles in three months, having also won the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship, the player 28-year-old now making his full Premier League debut after starring as one of the 'contenders' in the 2019 format.
“(The Premier League) is my next target,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “This is going to be the toughest Premier League we have ever seen and it is going to be incredibly, incredibly difficult to win.
“It’s definitely one of the things on my CV now that I’ll have to tick off, being a Premier League champion.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Luke Humphries said “I can’t ask for more” after winning the world darts champion title by beating teenager Luke Littler.
“Luckily I missed my role last year. I was so close to being involved and the PDC made the right decision to leave me out because I then proved them wrong and won amazing trophies this year. I'm definitely looking forward to it.”
Seven-time Premier League winner Michael van Gerwen will return as reigning champion after successfully retaining his title last year, with the Dutchman looking to bounce back from his shock quarter-final exit to Scott Williams at the World Championship.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look at the best of the action from the 2023 Premier League Finals night in London, where Michael van Gerwen took the title
Last year's finalist Gerwyn Prize is included and former world champion Michael Smith – who lost his world No. 1 ranking with his fourth-round elimination at Alexandra Palace – is back with the current PDC Order of Merit top six included in the eight-man roster.
2019 world runner-up and former world champion Rob Cross is involved after failing to gain a place in the previous two editions and Nathan Apsinall retains his place, while the double world champion Peter Wright – who fell to eighth in the world after a disappointing World Championship – appears for an 11th consecutive year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The Sky Sports darts team explain why it's right that Luke Littler is included in this year's Premier League
Porter: Littler's inclusion is an 'obvious decision'
PDC chief executive Matthew Porter described Littler's inclusion in the Premier League this year as an “obvious decision”, adding that he believes there is no obvious candidate who could feel bad about the comfort of missing.
Humphries himself was a surprise omission last year when he was fifth in the PDC Order of Merit, but he has established himself as a fixture this time around after capping off his remarkable recent run of titles major by lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy this week.
“There was no decision to make,” Porter said. “What Luke (Littler) has done over the last three weeks has rewritten the history books.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
World champion Luke Humphries and teenage sensation Luke Littler will both be part of the eight-man squad for this year's Premier League.
“This is unprecedented, not only in darts but in the whole sport. It was an obvious decision.
“His performance in each round of the tournament got better and better. And the way he handled the media exposure and the media coverage that he was receiving, he brushed it all off and took things calmly. He didn't “There was no doubt in our minds that he was ready for this.”
Porter added: “I don't think anyone can honestly say, hand on heart, that he deserves to be in it (the Premier League) and he doesn't.
“In the past there have been players – Luke Humphries being one of them – who we have had to have honest conversations with.
“I spoke to him and said, ‘We just don’t think you’re ready – go on and have a big year, prove you’re ready for 2024.’ You look at what he’s achieved, especially “In recent weeks, he's completely knocked it out of the park.”
When is the 2024 Premier League?
The 2024 BetMGM Premier League darts season will begin in Cardiff on the first day of February, with each of the 16 championship nights including a mini-event where all eight players will compete to determine the winner.
Berlin, Glasgow, Newcastle and Exeter are holding events in February, before the Premier League roadshow heads to Brighton, Nottingham, Dublin and Belfast in March.
Manchester, Birmingham, Rotterdam and Liverpool are the April Nights cities before Aberdeen, Leeds and Sheffield host events in May, with the top four in the final standings progressing to the end of season Play-Offs in London on May 23.
Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday 1 February as Cardiff kick off the 17-week extravaganza through to the Play-Offs on Thursday 23 May. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract NOW