Damon Heta urges PDC to consider a WWE inspired Royal Rumble of Darts: "Maybe you get a Grand Slam spot at the end of it"

Damon Heta has spoken out in support of a bold new darts format inspired by the iconic 'Royal Rumble' from professional wrestling. The Australian world number eight believes the concept could inject fresh excitement into the sport.

The idea? Fast-paced, high-intensity shootouts played over a single leg, with the winner staying at the oche. Lose a leg, and you're immediately eliminated — replaced by a surprise wildcard entrant. That replacement remains a mystery until their dramatic walk-on, adding an extra layer of spectacle to the event. The proposed field would feature 30 players: the world’s top 10, ten qualifiers, and ten wildcards selected by the PDC and its broadcast partners.

However, “The Heat” did offer a word of caution: without significant prize money, the format is unlikely to attract top-tier talent. "The Royal Rumble is a good idea but I just don’t think the players are gonna all come a far to play one leg unless you’re going to fork out good prize money," he explained in conversation with Sporting Life. “Just something to keep the players in and interested. I would play in it 100 percent.”

The former World Cup of Darts winner sees the format as a big opportunity for players outside the PDC’s top 16 to make a name for themselves. “I think a lot of players below the top 16 would play in it," says the Australian number one. “Some above it they might just see it as an exhibition thing that does not mean anything.”

“If it has a meaning on it like a ranking thing or maybe you get a Grand Slam spot at the end of it or something like that then you’re going to have the top players rolling up to play in it," Heta adds. “It could definitely work but it’s up to the PDC obviously what they do.”

Heta also stressed the importance of testing the format on a smaller scale first — perhaps at amateur events or exhibitions. "Maybe some amateur leagues should test it out to see how it rolls out. Or exhibition wise see whether people roll up and are interested to see how it works,” Heta concludes.