Phil Taylor Calls Darts Schedule Boring as He Backs Radical New Tournament Format

Phil Taylor has never been someone to hold back his opinions about darts, and the 16-time world champion has now suggested a fresh idea that could give the sport a completely different look.

The legendary former player believes the current tournament schedule needs something new, arguing that fans could benefit from a different format rather than watching the same familiar 501 competitions repeatedly. And his proposed alternative is certainly not short on entertainment.

Taylor has even joked about physically removing Luke Littler from the stage as part of the idea, showing just how dramatically different he wants this proposed competition to be.

The suggestion comes after the recent Netflix event featuring Littler, which generated plenty of attention and demonstrated the potential appeal of alternative darts formats.

What Phil Taylor Wants to Change About Darts

Taylor’s idea, which he shares with former world champion Adrian Lewis, is a darts version of WWE’s famous Royal Rumble.

The proposed competition would feature 30 mystery players entering the action one after another, with a new challenger appearing after each leg. The player who survives would remain on stage to face the next opponent.

It is a fascinating concept because it would move away from the traditional structure that has defined professional darts for decades.

Taylor has reportedly become frustrated with the repetition of the current schedule, describing the familiar pattern as “501, 501, 501”.

There is certainly a point worth considering here. Traditional 501 darts is the foundation of the sport, and it has produced countless unforgettable matches. However, introducing a completely different competition could attract casual viewers who want something less predictable.

The Royal Rumble concept would also introduce an extra layer of pressure. Players would not simply be competing to win a match; they would be trying to survive against a succession of challengers.

And with 30 competitors potentially involved, there would be plenty of opportunities for unexpected moments.

Why Luke Littler Could Become Part of the Entertainment

One particularly interesting aspect of Taylor’s suggestion is the involvement of Luke Littler in the conversation.

The former world champion joked about throwing the teenage superstar off the stage, adding a wrestling-style element to his vision of the competition.

Of course, this is entertainment rather than a serious suggestion that players should physically fight. The appeal would come from creating a more theatrical atmosphere around the darts itself.

Littler would be an obvious attraction in any experimental competition involving some of the sport’s biggest names.

At just 19, he has already established himself as one of the most recognisable faces in professional darts. His achievements have helped bring new audiences to the sport, while his personality and confidence have made him a major talking point beyond the traditional darts community.

But the interesting question is whether a format like this could create a different kind of challenge for him.

In a conventional tournament, players prepare for a specific opponent and work through a familiar match structure. A Royal Rumble-style competition would require a different approach, with players potentially facing several opponents in quick succession.

That could make the event particularly entertaining for viewers.

Netflix Success Could Encourage More Experimental Events

There is a reason Taylor and Lewis are discussing this idea now.

Netflix’s Beat Luke Littler event demonstrated how professional darts could be presented differently to a mainstream audience.

The special featured Littler facing challengers in a single leg of 501, with £501,000 available to anyone who could beat him. Fallon Sherrock eventually claimed the prize after defeating the world number one.

That result generated plenty of discussion, particularly because Littler is normally so difficult to beat.

The format also demonstrated how a simple change to the traditional competitive structure could create a compelling television event.

However, the Netflix production was not without controversy. Sherrock is an established professional rather than an ordinary amateur player, and that distinction became an important part of the discussion surrounding the programme.

Nevertheless, the entertainment value was undeniable.

Taylor appears to believe there is room for more events that experiment with the way darts is presented, rather than relying exclusively on established tournament formats.

And that is an argument worth taking seriously.

The sport has grown enormously, but maintaining that momentum requires finding ways to keep existing supporters interested while introducing new audiences to the game.

A Royal Rumble-style competition could potentially achieve both.

Adrian Lewis Shares Taylor’s Vision

Lewis is an interesting person to have alongside Taylor in this discussion.

The pair have enjoyed enormous success together, winning the PDC World Cup of Darts four times as representatives of England.

Their partnership was built on years of experience, mutual understanding and an ability to perform under pressure.

Lewis is also a two-time PDC World Championship winner, having claimed back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.

Both men understand what makes professional darts exciting, but they also recognise the importance of keeping the sport fresh.

Their involvement gives the proposal additional credibility because this is not simply an idea coming from people unfamiliar with the competitive side of the game.

They know the traditional format inside out.

Taylor, in particular, has an extraordinary record. According to BBC Sport, he won 214 professional tournaments and a record 87 major titles between 1987 and 2018.

He has experienced almost every possible situation on a darts stage, which makes his perspective on the future of the sport particularly interesting.

Could This Actually Work in Professional Darts?

Personally, I think the proposed format deserves serious consideration.

There is nothing wrong with traditional 501 darts. In fact, it remains the reason millions of people follow the sport.

The drama of a deciding leg, a spectacular checkout or a tense final between two world-class players is difficult to replace.

However, that does not mean every competition needs to follow exactly the same structure.

One of the biggest attractions of the Royal Rumble suggestion is its unpredictability. Fans would have reasons to keep watching because they would not necessarily know who was coming next or how long the surviving player could remain on stage.

It could also create opportunities for lesser-known players to share the spotlight with established superstars.

Imagine a young qualifier suddenly finding themselves facing Taylor, Lewis or Littler in front of a packed audience.

That is the kind of scenario that could generate memorable sporting moments.

There would, naturally, be challenges to overcome. Organisers would need to establish clear rules, decide how players qualify and ensure that the format remains competitive rather than becoming a purely theatrical spectacle.

The balance between entertainment and sporting credibility would be crucial.

If the competition became too focused on gimmicks, it could lose the very qualities that make darts appealing.

Taylor’s Idea Comes at an Interesting Time

The timing of this suggestion is also worth noting because Taylor is preparing to return to competitive action alongside Lewis.

The pair will represent England at the MODUS Super Series International Pairs tournament in Portsmouth from November 23–28. Their reunion is particularly exciting because they have not competed together at this level for several years.

It also gives Taylor another opportunity to remain involved in a sport he helped transform during his remarkable playing career.

Whether his Royal Rumble idea ever becomes an official competition remains to be seen. Neither Taylor nor Lewis has announced a confirmed tournament based on the proposal.

But the fact that two highly decorated former champions are openly discussing alternative formats should encourage organisers to consider what else darts could offer.

The PDC has built an incredibly successful product around traditional competitions, but there is no reason why experimental events cannot exist alongside them.

And if Netflix has demonstrated anything, it is that audiences are willing to watch darts presented in a different way.

For now, Taylor’s suggestion is an intriguing proposal rather than a confirmed plan. But would you watch 30 players entering a darts Royal Rumble, with each challenger attempting to knock the previous player out?

Or should professional darts stick with the traditional 501 format that made it famous?

Fans will certainly have plenty to say about this one.