The St Helens Darts Academy has been a breeding ground for some of the finest and most consistent darts players in the world.

The academy has helped shape the careers of David Chisnall, Michael Smith and rising star Luke Littler, and all three line up at the iconic Alexandra Palace at the PDC World Darts Championship next week.

96 players of the world’s top players will feature with a handful coming from Merseyside.

17-YEAR-OLD LUKE “THE NUKE” LITTLER HITS A NINE-DARTER 🎯😱

(via @OfficialPDC)pic.twitter.com/v1UgWwaO3w

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 23, 2024

Karl Holden who owns the St Helens Darts Academy was also Littler’s first coach. “For Luke to be the favourite going into the biggest darts tournament of the year just shows the level of class he has. The affect he had on the academy after his performance last year is still mind blowing. We had that many youngsters attending we had to put multiple classes on for the youth academy. He has changed the game of darts and will continue to do so.”

Holden added: “It’s not a question of when Littler will win it, but how many will he win over his career.”

Reigning champion Luke Humphries will begin his fight for back-to-back titles on the tournament’s opening night. The 29-year-old will face either French number one Thibault Tricole or Australian or Joe Comito who lock horns in the event’s curtain-raiser.

The first and second rounds of the tournament will be played across nine days from December 15th to the 23rd.

Teenage talent Littler has had a season to remember winning the 2024 Premier League and World Series of Darts. He could face Fallon Sherrock in the second round.

Holden said. “It isn’t just Luke who has trained at the academy we have the likes of Stephen Bunting and previous world champion Michael Smith. I would love for one of the St Helens boys to win it. The affect it has around the place is huge, it motivates the locals to come and get involved.”

Michael Smith will play the winner of Kevin Doets or Noa-Lynn van Leuven on December 19th. ‘Bully Boy’ is involved in the favourites circle and will be looking to add his second PDC World Darts Championship.

World number eight Stephen Bunting who was born in Fazakerley will be looking to put on a performance at the ‘Ally Pally’. He is the current Masters champion after a convincing 11-7 victory over three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen.

The final will take place on the 3rd of January, it will be the first Friday final since 2020. £2.5 million will be on the line for the two finalists alongside the Sid Waddell Trophy.

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