Barry Hearn Names Three Darts Stars He Believes Can Challenge Luke Littler

Luke Littler has become the biggest attraction in professional darts, but Barry Hearn is already looking beyond the teenager’s remarkable rise. And the veteran promoter believes a new generation of youngsters could make life considerably more difficult for the reigning superstar.

There is no question that Littler has transformed the sport’s popularity. His performances, personality and ability to produce spectacular finishes have attracted audiences who might never previously have considered watching darts. However, Hearn is not convinced that the teenager should be viewed as an unbeatable force.

In fact, three particularly exciting young talents have caught his attention, and his comments suggest that the future of darts could be even more competitive than many people expect.

Barry Hearn Is Excited About Darts’ Next Generation

The three youngsters attracting attention are Archie Self, Jayden Walker and Mitchell Lawrie. All three have already demonstrated that they have the ability to compete at a remarkably high level despite their young ages.

Self, 17, has arguably produced the most eye-catching achievement recently. He became the youngest player to hit a televised nine-darter, an incredible accomplishment that immediately put his name among the sport’s most exciting prospects.

For anyone unfamiliar with darts, a nine-darter is the perfect leg, requiring just nine darts to finish a 501 game. It is one of the most difficult achievements in professional darts, making Self’s accomplishment particularly impressive.

He has also qualified for the World Championship, giving him another opportunity to demonstrate his ability on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Walker, meanwhile, is only 14 and has already experienced the unusual challenge of facing Littler in front of a major audience.

Lawrie, who recently turned 16, is another player Hearn clearly rates highly. His involvement in the Netflix event generated attention, even though the tournament format prevented him from getting an opportunity to face Littler.

These are not simply youngsters being mentioned because of their age. Their performances are attracting genuine attention from people who understand what it takes to succeed in professional darts.

 

Littler Is Still the Man Everyone Wants to Beat

Of course, any discussion about the next generation of darts has to begin with Littler.

The teenager has enjoyed an extraordinary rise since announcing himself to the world at the 2024 World Championship. His performances helped take darts into a different level of popularity, and he has continued to establish himself among the leading players.

What makes Littler particularly frightening for opponents is his ability to produce outstanding scoring performances while remaining comfortable under enormous pressure.

However, Hearn made an interesting observation when discussing suggestions that the sport is becoming predictable because of Littler’s success.

He said: “The talent that’s coming into darts blows my mind. We’re in such a good place. I heard someone the other day, ‘isn’t it getting a bit boring because Luke Littler wins everything?’

“You think, he’s only been here for two years, he hasn’t exactly dominated. He’s not yet, he may well be.”

That is an important distinction.

Littler has achieved incredible things, but being the biggest attraction in darts does not automatically mean he has made the sport a one-man competition.

There are still experienced professionals capable of challenging him, while the youngsters coming through could eventually make the competition even tougher.

Personally, I think Hearn is right to encourage people to look beyond Littler. Darts should celebrate its biggest superstar without ignoring everyone else trying to reach the same level.

Archie Self Could Be One to Watch

Among the three youngsters, Self is particularly interesting because he has already produced an achievement that most professional players would be proud of.

Hitting a televised nine-darter at 17 is no ordinary accomplishment. It requires exceptional scoring, accurate finishing and the ability to execute under pressure.

His qualification for the World Championship is another significant development.

The tournament offers young players an opportunity to test themselves against established professionals, and Self will have a chance to demonstrate whether his impressive performances can translate into success against the very best.

However, there is a difference between producing one spectacular moment and building a successful professional career.

Consistency is what separates promising youngsters from players who eventually become major champions.

Self will need to prove that he can maintain his standards over longer competitions, particularly when opponents begin studying his game and putting him under pressure.

Still, having Hearn publicly recognise his potential is encouraging.

Jayden Walker and Mitchell Lawrie Have Their Own Opportunities

Walker and Lawrie also deserve plenty of attention.

Walker recently found himself sharing the spotlight with Littler during the Beat Luke Littler Netflix event. At just 14, getting that opportunity represents an interesting experience for someone still developing his game.

The exposure could prove valuable, particularly as younger players increasingly have opportunities to demonstrate their abilities in front of international audiences.

Lawrie’s situation was slightly different.

He was unable to get his opportunity against Littler because of how the event’s group selection worked. Hearn explained that the youngster was placed in the highest-seeded group and simply did not get selected at the right time.

However, the PDC president was particularly complimentary about him.

Hearn said: “He must have fancied his chances. It was the luck of the draw really for him because Mitchell Lawrie is a great player.”

He also suggested that Lawrie and his management might have fancied their chances because Littler appeared to be tiring during the event.

That is an interesting observation, although it should not be mistaken for proof that Lawrie would have beaten the world champion.

The opportunity never materialised, so we will have to wait for another occasion to see how the two would match up.

Nevertheless, Hearn’s comments show that Lawrie is firmly on his radar.

 

January’s Q-School Could Be Another Important Turning Point

Perhaps the most interesting part of Hearn’s comments concerns what happens next.

He believes there are numerous talented youngsters preparing to pursue professional tour cards at January’s Q-School.

He said: “The man is a great player, but the talent [coming through], and Archie is one of, I can probably reel off a dozen, that just are going to be knocking on the door come Q-School in January.

“They are going to go and want to get their card and these kids are not going to be denied.”

That statement deserves attention because securing a PDC Tour Card is a major step towards becoming an established professional.

It gives players access to the professional circuit and an opportunity to compete regularly against experienced opponents.

However, getting a card is only the beginning. Maintaining it requires consistent performances, and the standard across professional darts is incredibly demanding.

For these youngsters, the next few years could determine whether they become genuine contenders or remain promising names who never quite fulfil their potential.

And that is why January could be particularly important.

Darts Could Be Entering Another Exciting Era

One thing I find particularly encouraging about Hearn’s comments is that he is not treating Littler’s emergence as the end of the story.

If anything, the teenager’s success could inspire an entirely new generation to take up darts and believe they can reach the top.

The sport needs that competition.

Littler will remain a major attraction, but having more youngsters capable of challenging him would make the professional circuit even more exciting.

Imagine a future where Self, Walker and Lawrie are competing regularly against Littler, Humphries and the established stars. That would give fans plenty of new rivalries to enjoy.

Of course, none of the three has been guaranteed a successful professional career, and there is still plenty of work ahead.

But Hearn has seen enough to become excited about their potential, and his assessment deserves attention.

Do you think Archie Self, Jayden Walker and Mitchell Lawrie can eventually become serious challengers to Luke Littler, or will the world champion remain a step ahead of the next generation?