MODUS announces new Royal Rumble-style darts tournament: Here’s why Luke Littler and co can’t play

A Royal Rumble-style darts event has been officially confirmed and is set for later this year. The format is as simple as it is ruthless. Two players start the match. The winner stays on stage, the loser makes way for the next challenger. Competitors step up one by one, potentially up to thirty players in total. Whoever is last at the oche is crowned champion.

Current world number one Luke Littler previously told SPORTbible he’s a fan of the idea. “Bring it on. I don’t think you should play more than one leg of 501,” said Littler. “Just straight up: one leg, loser out. Then the next player comes on with his walk-on, and so on.”

The team behind the MODUS Super Series has now given definitive approval to the concept and confirmed the news on Thursday. The announcement also included a promo video featuring the likes of Steve Beaton, Robert Thornton, Kevin Painter, Fallon Sherrock, and Adrian Lewis. MODUS promoted the event with the words: ‘ROYAL RUMBLE DARTS EDITION COMING SOON! Who will enter the Royal Rumble?’

Because the tournament falls under the MODUS banner, full-time PDC Tour Card holders are in principle excluded from taking part due to contractual restrictions, unless exceptions are made. That means big names like Littler, Luke Humphries, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price would normally be absent.

However, the now officially retired Phil Taylor, the 16-time world champion, could still be tempted into a one-off comeback. Adrian Lewis, a four-time major winner, is also eligible after deciding to skip Q-School and not reapply for his Tour Card.