Luke Littler’s latest World Youth Championship run may have ended in disappointment, but it has exposed a bigger issue that the PDC can no longer ignore.
The world number one was beaten 6-5 by Cam Crabtree in a gripping semi-final in Wigan, missing out on the chance to reach the final and become the first player to simultaneously hold the senior World Championship and World Youth Championship titles. But while Littler’s defeat was the headline, the bigger talking point may be what happened around him.
Fans and figures within darts are now calling for the PDC to give the tournament far more exposure, arguing that the standard on display in Wigan was simply too good to remain largely hidden from television audiences.
And after looking at the numbers from Monday, it is difficult to argue with them.
A tournament packed with serious quality
The World Youth Championship featured a 128-player field this year, with the round-robin stage and every knockout round from the last 64 through to the semi-finals taking place at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan.
The problem is that almost all of that action takes place away from the main television spotlight.
Only the final is scheduled to be played on the big stage at Butlin’s Minehead Resort, with the decisive match taking place on November 29 during the Players Championship Finals.
That format has now prompted respected darts referee and spotter Richard Ashdown to call for change.
“I’ve said it once and I’m going to keep saying it. This tournament is too good to be played behind closed doors, not streamed and only the final played on the big stage.
“It’s worthy of the Women’s World Matchplay and North American Championship type treatment on television across a full session, surely…”
Honestly, it is difficult to disagree.
The numbers make the argument for them
The most interesting part of Monday’s tournament was not simply that Littler reached the semi-finals.
It was the standard throughout the field.
Littler produced the highest winning average of the day, recording 100.03 in his 6-4 victory over 16-year-old Lewis Cook in the last 64.
But here is the extraordinary statistic: Cook actually produced the highest overall average among all players at the tournament, averaging 100.40.
That is some serious throwing.
Imagine being 16 years old, playing the biggest name in the sport and averaging more than 100, yet still walking away defeated.
That is exactly the kind of story that makes a tournament worth watching.
And Cook was far from an isolated example.
Germany’s Jan Schmidt averaged 99.97 in his opening knockout victory over Owen Roelofs, while other highly rated young players also produced averages in the high 90s.
By the time Littler met Crabtree in the semi-final, the standard was still remarkably high.
Crabtree averaged 97.89 and Littler 97.91 in their 6-5 thriller.
Those numbers tell their own story.
Littler was pushed all the way
Littler’s presence undoubtedly brings extra attention to the World Youth Championship, but his run also demonstrated why the competition should not simply be viewed as a procession for the world number one.
He survived a scare against Cook after falling 3-0 behind before eventually winning 6-4.
He then defeated David Fidler 6-1, Archie Self 6-4 and Harrison Leigh 6-2 to reach the semi-finals.
That was an impressive run, particularly considering the number of matches being played in a single day.
But Crabtree had no interest in becoming another name on Littler’s list.
The 23-year-old raced into a 2-0 lead before Littler responded with three straight legs, including a stunning 164 checkout.
Crabtree then produced checkouts of 92 and 100 to move within one leg of victory.
Littler refused to go quietly, hitting a 117 checkout to force a deciding leg.
But in the final leg, Crabtree held his nerve and finished the job with a 16-dart leg.
It was exactly the sort of dramatic contest that television producers would normally love.
Instead, the vast majority of darts fans had to follow the action away from the main broadcast stage.
The PDC has a genuine opportunity here
There is a bigger question surrounding the World Youth Championship now.
If young players are regularly producing averages around 100, competing against established Tour Card holders and generating genuine storylines, why shouldn’t fans be able to watch more of it?
The argument is not necessarily that every single match needs a major television broadcast.
That would probably be unrealistic.
But putting a full session on television or streaming the knockout stages would make a huge amount of sense.
The PDC could showcase future stars before they become household names, while giving sponsors more exposure and allowing fans to follow players they may otherwise never see.
That could be particularly important for players such as Cook, Schmidt, Crabtree and the other emerging talents fighting to establish themselves.
Littler himself is the perfect example of how quickly a young player can become the face of the sport.
Littler’s presence actually strengthens the case
There is also an interesting argument that Littler’s participation makes the tournament more valuable rather than less.
Yes, some fans believe the reigning senior world champion should not be competing in a youth competition.
But the rules currently allow him to do so, and Littler has already shown that simply entering the event does not guarantee victory.
He lost in the semi-finals to Beau Greaves last year and has now suffered another semi-final defeat this time around.
More importantly, his participation brings attention to the other players.
Crabtree beating Littler is now a major story.
Without Littler in the tournament, Crabtree’s achievement would still be impressive, but it would probably receive nowhere near the same level of attention.
That is exactly how sport can create new stars.
Crabtree could now become one of them
Crabtree’s victory gives him a chance to finish the job against Jan Schmidt in the final at Minehead.
The German also impressed on Monday, defeating Charlie Manby 6-3 in the other semi-final.
The final will therefore provide another opportunity for two emerging players to perform on a much bigger stage.
And that is precisely why the PDC should be thinking carefully about the tournament’s presentation.
The final gets the spotlight, but the players earn their place there through an entire day of high-level competition.
Fans deserve to see more of that journey.
Littler lost, but the tournament may have won
There is an irony to Littler’s defeat.
He failed to make history, but his presence helped expose just how much quality exists behind him.
The numbers from Wigan were impressive. The semi-final was excellent. The emergence of Crabtree and Schmidt gives the final genuine intrigue.
Now the PDC has a decision to make.
The World Youth Championship clearly has the talent. It has the drama. It has a world champion competing in it. And, judging by Monday’s extraordinary averages, it certainly has the standard.
What it arguably lacks is the platform.
Littler’s latest run may have ended one step short of the final, but it has strengthened the argument that the rest of the tournament deserves to be seen.
If the PDC gives these young players a bigger stage, there is every chance the next Littler could be discovered in front of millions rather than behind closed doors.
And after what happened in Wigan, darts fans have every reason to want to see more.