Luke Littler's Back in Australia – And This Time He Wants Blood

By Lewis Barnett 8 August, 2025 5 mins read 206 Views

God, I still remember watching that final last year.

Luke Littler – all 17 years old and cocky as hell – getting absolutely demolished 8-1 by Gerwyn Price in the Australian Masters final. The kid looked like he'd been hit by a truck. Price was doing his usual celebration theatrics while Littler just stood there, probably wondering what the hell just happened to his perfect little fairy tale.

Well, guess what? The teenage sensation is heading back Down Under for round two, and after that absolutely mental World Matchplay victory in July (seriously, did you see those finishes?), I'm betting he's got some unfinished business with Australia. The tournament kicks off Friday, August 8th, and honestly... this could get messy.

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When Everything Goes Down

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 8th – that's when the chaos begins at 7pm local time in Wollongong. For those of us stuck in the UK, that means dragging ourselves out of bed at 10am BST to watch grown men throw pointy objects at a board.

The whole thing wraps up Saturday, August 9th. Two days of pure darts madness at the Win Sports and Entertainment Centre in New South Wales.

Listen, I've been to Wollongong. It's not exactly Vegas, but when you've got Luke Littler seeking revenge and Gerwyn Price defending his title, the location doesn't really matter.

Your Viewing Options (Because We're All Addicts)

Here's the deal – and this is where it gets slightly annoying. ITV4 will show everything for FREE, but they're putting it on delay until 7pm BST. Seriously? In 2025, we're still doing delayed broadcasts like it's 1995.

If you want the real-time drama (and trust me, you do), ITVX has the live stream for free. Or you can go full obsessive and get PDCTV – which is what I ended up doing last year after missing Littler's semi-final because I forgot about teh time difference.

Pro tip: Set multiple alarms. I learned this the hard way.

The Lineup That Actually Matters

Sixteen players total. Eight PDC stars, eight local qualifiers who are probably terrified and excited in equal measure.

The big names? Obviously Littler and his redemption arc. Luke Humphries (current World No1, in case you forgot). Price defending his crown like some Welsh dragon. And Damon Heta – the home favorite who'll have the entire crowd behind him.

But here's what nobody's talking about: Simon Whitlock is back. The guy's 55 now and still throwing like he's got something to prove. Poor Whitlock has been trying to win a major for what feels like decades.

Josh Rock from Northern Ireland is also in the mix, along with Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey, and Mike De Decker. Honestly, De Decker's been playing like a man possessed lately – wouldn't surprise me if he causes some upsets.

What Actually Happens When

Friday's all about Round One – best of 11 legs, which means anything can happen. De Decker already smashed Brandon Weening 6-2 (called that one), but the rest of the first round is still up for grabs.

Littler faces Haupai Puha from New Zealand. On paper, it should be straightforward. But this is darts, and I've seen stranger things happen when someone's carrying the weight of an entire country's expectations.

Saturday's when things get serious: Quarter-finals, semis, then the final. The legs increase as the stakes get higher – best of 15 for the championship match.

My prediction? Littler makes the final again. Whether he wins it... well, that depends on whether he's learned anything from getting his ego bruised last year.

Either way, I'll be watching with my coffee at 10am, probably shouting at my TV like a lunatic. Because that's what darts does to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

Statistics

A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.

External Links

How To

The Dart Player's Journey: From Rookie to Robin Hood

I've been throwing darts since my college days back in 2008, but it wasn't until February 2022 that I really got serious about improving my game. That winter was brutal in Minneapolis—we had snow piled up to our windowsills, and I needed an indoor hobby that wouldn't drive my roommates crazy. Darts seemed perfect! Well, until I put a few holes in our wall... which led to my first lesson: always invest in a proper dartboard surround. My landlord wasn't thrilled about teh repair costs, but it taught me a valuable lesson about proper setup.