LUKE LITTLER will be introduced as World Darts Champion for the first time at the Bahrain Masters next week.
The teen sensation is the headline act for the opening World Series tournament on January 16/17.
The Nuke returns to the stage where he hit an opening leg nine-darter before taking victory and lifting the unique Palm Trophy.
Littler, 17, has already admitted he won’t throw a dart after the double 16 to win the world title at Ally Pally until arriving in Bahrain.
On practising, he said: “I don’t want to really. Maybe. I think there will be quite a few people on the Target darts counter now. l just want to chill out.”
On when he will pick up a dart again, he added: “Probably Bahrain.”
Littler is joined in this year’s Bahrain Darts Masters by seven other top PDC stars – led by World No1 Luke Humphries, who won the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay and Players Championship Finals in 2024.
World Championship semi-finalists Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey will make their first visits to Bahrain to compete in the event, following their inclusion in the 2025 Premier League.
Former World Champions Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price also return for the third edition of the Bahrain Darts Masters, alongside 2023 World Matchplay winner Nathan Aspinall.
Two-time World Champion Peter Wright completes the eight-player PDC line-up, with Dutch superstar Michael van Gerwen the only major name missing out on the event due to family commitments.
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Night 1 – The SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday February 6
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
The Asian representatives include six players from the PDC Asian Tour who competed at the World Darts Championship, with PDC Asian Champion Lourence Ilagan one of three Filipino stars in action.
Ilagan will be joined by 2024 PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Alexis Toylo and Paolo Nebrida, who dumped out Jim Williams and Ross Smith to reach the last 32 at Alexandra Palace.
