Luke Littler and his fellow competitors are gearing up for the opportunity to win a substantial prize of $200,000 (£149,000) by achieving a nine-dart finish followed by a ‘golden bull’ in Riyadh next week. This exciting event marks the first time the World Series of Darts will be held in Saudi Arabia, featuring a showdown between eight PDC Tour representatives and eight Asian Tour representatives. The two-day tournament kicks off on Monday, promising a lucrative chance for the players.
In this unique competition, if a player successfully hits a nine-darter, they will be rewarded with a $100,000 (£74,700) prize. The excitement escalates as they then have the rare chance to double their winnings by hitting the bullseye with one ‘golden’ dart. This opportunity presents the largest prize in the history of the sport for a nine-dart finish, sparking enthusiasm among participants like Littler.
Recently, the 18-year-old prodigy made headlines by clinching the record-breaking £1 million prize for winning the World Championship and securing a lucrative contract worth £20 million over 10 years with his darts supplier. Littler, known for his exceptional skills, previously achieved a remarkable feat of throwing nine perfect darts during the World Series event in Bahrain in 2024, setting the stage for another stellar performance.
The concept of introducing such high-stakes incentives in darts mirrors the strategy adopted by the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, which features the intriguing “Riyadh Season golden ball.” This 20-point golden cue ball offers a $1 million (£760,000) bonus for achieving the sport’s first-ever 167 break, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster highlighted the allure of the prize pool, emphasizing the potential rewards awaiting players who excel in the tournament. Littler will be accompanied by notable players like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, and Danny Noppert in Riyadh, where they are currently competing in the Bahrain Masters following Littler’s recent world championship victory.
During the ongoing Bahrain Masters, Littler showcased his prowess with a spectacular 170 ‘Big Fish’ check-out to defeat veteran Paul Lim 6-1 and advance to the quarter-finals. Other contenders, including Humphries, Van Veen, Van Gerwen, Bunting, and Aspinall, also demonstrated their skills, setting the stage for an intense and competitive tournament.