Luke Littler and his competitors are gearing up for the opportunity to win a substantial $200,000 (£149,000) prize in Riyadh next week by achieving a nine-dart finish followed by a ‘golden bull’.
The inaugural visit of the World Series of Darts to Saudi Arabia will feature a showdown between eight PDC Tour representatives and eight Asian Tour representatives, promising a lucrative two-day event commencing on Monday.
In a groundbreaking move, a player achieving a nine-dart finish will secure a $100,000 (£74,700) prize, with the chance to double it by hitting the ‘golden’ bullseye dart. This event boasts the largest prize in the history of darts for a nine-dart finish, leaving Littler and others eager to compete.
The 18-year-old recently made headlines by clinching a record-breaking £1 million prize for winning the World Championship. Subsequently, he secured a lucrative long-term deal worth £20 million over a decade with his darts supplier. Littler’s exceptional performance in the World Series event in Bahrain in 2024 has set high expectations for his upcoming matches.
The introduction of this new darts incentive mirrors the format of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, featuring the unique “Riyadh Season golden ball” offering a $1 million (£760,000) bonus for a potential 167 break.
The ‘Riyadh Season ball,’ positioned at the center of the baulk cushion at the beginning of each frame, aligns with the brown, blue, pink, and black spots on the table. It remains in play as long as a 147 break is achievable for any player; once it becomes unattainable, the ball is removed until the next frame.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster, speaking on ITV 4, highlighted the impressive rewards awaiting successful players in Riyadh, emphasizing the potential $200,000 prize for a flawless ten-dart performance.
Joining Littler in Riyadh will be a lineup comprising Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, and Danny Noppert, all eager to showcase their skills in the upcoming tournament.
Currently competing in the Bahrain Masters,