“20 minutes before it was released I found out I was in” – Josh Rock recalls sleepless night ahead of Premier League Darts announcement

Josh Rock is already eagerly anticipating his first appearance in the Premier League Darts, especially the night in his homecoming in Belfast. The Northern Irishman expects a raucous atmosphere at the end of February when he takes on none other than Luke Littler, the two-time world champion and current world number one, at the SSE Arena.

The 24-year-old Rock was selected this year for the prestigious Premier League Darts for the first time in his career, where eight of the world’s best players battle over seventeen weeks. The competition begins on February 5th in Newcastle, while Belfast hosts night four on February 26th. For Rock, born and raised in County Antrim, it will be a particularly emotional evening. “I think it's going to be absolutely nuts,” Rock told BBC Sport NI.

Rock points out that darts in Northern Ireland have grown enormously in recent years. "Daryl [Gurney] was the last one [from Northern Ireland to be part of the Premier League, in 2020], but that was prior to Covid and darts wasn't as big back then. Now, darts is bigger than it has ever been."

The fact that Rock makes his Premier League debut against Luke Littler in Belfast makes the story even more special. The young Englishman has become the face of modern darts and draws packed houses everywhere.

Although Rock has struggled to beat Littler so far, he is confident that moment will come. "I play Luke [Littler] in Belfast so we'll see what happens," Rock previews. "Every time I have played him it's been 100 plus averages every time. I've been in front every time but just can't seem to get over the line, but I'll get him yet."

The duels between Rock and Littler are known for their high standard. Both players rank among the circuit’s best scorers and do not shy away from the big stage. Notably, Rock and Littler get on well off the oche. “We talk to each other almost every day,” Rock reveals.

According to the Northern Irishman, Littler has had an unprecedented impact on the sport’s popularity. "Everything has to go down to Luke Littler. If it wasn't for him doing what he did when he was only 16 [reaching the World Championship final as a rank outsider] and winning the Worlds the past two years the sport wouldn't be where it is now," Rock says. "Everyone has to thank him for it."

Rock highlights how much darts has changed since his youth. "It has gone through the roof now. Darts is in a different place now than it was 10 years ago when I was a youth player. There are so many opportunities now."

That development is partly thanks to Littler, Rock says, who has brought a completely new generation of fans to the sport.

The past twelve months were crucial for Rock’s career. He climbed steadily up the world rankings and capped it with selection for the Premier League Darts. He says a key factor was a change of darts manufacturer. "I've put a lot of time and effort in. I switched manufacturing company and I think that's been the biggest difference and now I'm into the Premier League which was one of my goals," he said.

Selection for the Premier League Darts was an important goal for Rock, but the release only came at the last moment. "The night before [the Premier League line-up was announced] I didn't sleep because I hadn't heard anything and then 20 minutes before it was released I found out I was in. It was a relief in a way."

Although Rock now knows he belongs among the elite, the reality hasn’t fully sunk in. "I don't think it has really sunk in but when I'm standing up on that stage in Belfast it's going to hit me. I might be a bit nervous but I'll enjoy the moment."

For Rock, taking part in Premier League Darts is definitive confirmation of his status. "They always say you're not one of the elite players until you're in the Premier League, now I can say I'm one of the elite players because I'm on television for the next 17 weeks straight. It's a good feeling."

Despite his Premier League selection, Rock’s biggest dream remains unchanged: becoming world champion. That dream must wait for now, after he exited last month’s Worlds at Alexandra Palace in the fourth round. "I felt I could go all the way this year but then I fell into Justin Hood who hit 100% of doubles and I couldn't do much against him, but I do believe one day I'll be a world champion," he said. "I'll be happy to walk away from this game with one world title."

Rock has set clear goals for the coming year. "I'd like to get to the O2 for the final four [of the Premier League] and this year my aim is to get into the top four in the world."