Phil Taylor, the legendary sixteen‑time world darts champion, has suggested that an ordinary, non‑professional darts enthusiast might actually have the skill set required to defeat the rising star Luke Littler in a single 501 leg. Taylor made this bold assertion while serving as a judge for a massive audition process that fed into a brand‑new Netflix competition.
The show will pit everyday players against the world’s top‑ranked darts player, with a prize pool exceeding £500,000 at stake. The judging panel, which includes Taylor, convened in London on Saturday to begin sifting through a pool of up to twenty hopefuls who could potentially "Beat Luke Littler". The event, organized in partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), is designed to give amateur players a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance to change their lives, much like the underdog story of Rocky Balboa. Taylor described the format as a "fairytale" that could also raise the sport’s profile even further.
According to Taylor, the quality of the entrants has been surprisingly high. "The standard of the applicants has been really good so far, with a lot of talented players coming through," he said. He added that any participant capable of throwing a 12‑dart leg—meaning they can finish 501 in twelve darts or fewer—has a realistic shot at the challenge. However, he cautioned that success will also depend on nerves, or "bottle", as well as pure ability.
"The amateur would need to have their best day and pray that Luke has a poor leg to be fair," Taylor noted, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of a single‑leg showdown. The competition is being broadcast live on Netflix on October 30, hosted by former footballer Gary Lineker, and will feature a second qualification heat in Manchester the following Saturday. Taylor sat alongside Sky Sports analyst Laura Turner and PDC chief Barry Hearn as part of the panel tasked with evaluating whether contestants who have already survived two preliminary rounds possess the talent to take on Littler in a one‑off 501 leg. Taylor, who retired from professional competition in 2018 after dominating the sport for nearly two decades, was unequivocal when asked if he could personally beat the 19‑year‑old prodigy.
"A simple answer: Yes!" he told the Press Association, underscoring his confidence in his own enduring skill. The audition process itself was a rigorous three‑stage test held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Thousands of amateur players aged twelve and older were required to complete a 501 leg in 24 darts or fewer before the reality‑TV component began. Those who succeeded were then interviewed by the production team, after which the final stage involved a live assessment by the PDC judging panel, headed by Taylor.
The panel examined each player’s accuracy, consistency, and composure under pressure to determine if they could realistically challenge Littler. Those who impress the judges will advance to the televised live show at the end of October, where they will have a shot at the life‑changing prize money. The competition promises to be a dramatic showcase of raw talent, offering a platform for unknown players to step into the spotlight alongside the sport’s elite.
In addition to the Netflix series, darts fans can continue to follow the sport’s premier events on Sky Sports, which remains the primary broadcaster for darts in 2026. The network will air the World Grand Prix from September 28 to October 4, the Grand Slam of Darts from November 14 to November 22, and the World Darts Championship from December 10 through January 3. Viewers can also stream darts and other top‑level sports without a contract via the network’s streaming service. Overall, Taylor’s comments highlight the growing accessibility of darts and the belief that, with the right combination of skill and composure, an amateur could indeed pull off a stunning upset against one of the game’s brightest young talents.
The upcoming Netflix competition will put this theory to the test, offering both participants and viewers an exciting glimpse into the potential for everyday players to achieve extraordinary feats on the world stage.