Darts star warns of ‘takeover’ as Luke Littler provides glimpse of the future

Darts’ veteran stars have been warned the sport is set for a ruthless takeover.

That’s come from Vincent van der Voort, who believes that Luke Littler and a swathe of young talents are ready to take the sport by storm.

AFP

Darts has seen plenty of elder statesmen win titles at the top over the years.

Phil Taylor won his last world title in 2013 as a 53-year-old, while Peter Wright won the 2022 PDC Championship at 51 years old.

But Van der Voort, who lost his Tour Card at the end of last year, believes wins at that age may well be a thing of the past as a new generation takes to the oche in style.

The 48-year-old said: “I think the youth are going to take over darts more and more.

“You’re going to see fewer older players who can keep going and stay competitive on the Pro Tour. They simply won’t be able to last as long.

“In football, you have your career between 18 and 35, with a few who can go on a bit longer.

“In darts, you still see exceptions like Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, who are still at the top at their age.

“Raymond van Barneveld is even competing at 58 but I think players like that will disappear earlier in the future.

“The sport is becoming more competitive, younger and bigger.

“If you look at how many 13, 14, 15-year-olds are averaging 90-plus with ease – and sometimes even over 100 – then the old guard are going to find it very difficult. The youth simply have far more energy.”

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This year alone, 18-year-old wonderkid Littler has won the PDC World Championship, the UK Open, and the World Matchplay, which saw him complete the Triple Crown, which also includes the Premier League.

That’s as well as the Belgian Darts Open, the Australian Darts Masters, and the New Zealand Darts Masters.

Elsewhere, Daryl Gurney won the World Cup of Darts alongside 24-year-old Josh Rock for Northern Ireland.

Sebastian Bialecki, aged 21, and Gian van Veen, aged 23, have both won Players’ Championships this year too.

And, in April, 14-year-old Kayal Baysal won the World Darts Federation’s 2025 Budapest Classic.

Baysal had only been playing seriously for around 18 months prior to his victory.

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He said at the time: “It was a great experience. I played some good darts against some good players.”

But added: “I’ve lots more hard work to do.”

WDF secretary-general Nick Rolls was enthralled by the Burnley-based starlet.

He said: “He’s making rapid progress and his performances in Budapest proved that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

“Two of our previous youngest-ever winners were Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler, so Kaya is in excellent company.”