“From pub player to Challenge Tour number one” – The story of Joe Hunt

This weekend, several PDC Challenge Tour events are being played in Leicester. After nine of the 24 tournaments this year, Englishman Joe Hunt still leads the standings.

The start of the Challenge Tour season began two months ago in Milton Keynes, where Hunt made an immediate statement by winning back-to-back titles and putting together an impressive run of twenty straight victories.

Reflecting on that stretch, he says to the Weekly Dartscast: “It was intense, I still have blisters on my feet from then.”

“But I did exactly what was required. I knew I had to get out of the blocks fast to gain experience and prepare myself for the season," Hunt adds. "Now that I’m on top, it’s about holding that position and securing a PDC Tour Card and a spot at the Worlds. That’s the reality now.”

Hunt’s recent appearance at the Modus Super Series in Portsmouth was his debut at that level. After a long week of matches, he reached finals night but fell in the semi-finals. “It was a great experience,” he says. “It was tough, especially with such an early start in Group A. Monday was a bit of an off day for me; my timing wasn’t right. But as the week went on, I felt better and better.”

On Friday night he faced Adam Hunt in a crucial match, which he won convincingly with a 103 average. He eventually lost in the semi-final to Jamie Liz, who produced a professional and strong display. “All in all, it was an educational week,” Joe adds. “It was also a chance for family and friends to watch me play live, something they normally can’t do. That was an important goal for me: that they could come and cheer me on.”

Joe Hunt started playing darts at a young age. “I was six when I first threw a dart in a local social club with my dad and grandad,” he recalls. He later moved to the island where his mother ran a café, and began playing in a local league at twelve. “I was already too good for the adults, so I had to wait a year before I could officially take part,” he says with a laugh.

After a brief stint in youth competitions, including a year with BBC Youth at eighteen, Hunt temporarily lost his love for darts due to work and other commitments. “I stopped for about ten to eleven years, until lockdown came. Then I picked it up again, played online competitions and slowly my motivation returned.”

The turning point came two years ago at a Modus women’s event, where he met Beau Greaves’ manager. “He gave me a chance with sponsorship and management. Since then, everything has been a dream. I’m doing things I never dared to dream of, and that’s all thanks to my management’s belief in me.”

Comparing himself with his eighteen-year-old self, Joe says: “I’m a better player now. I know how to close out a match. Back then, if I lost a leg, that was it. Now I understand how streaky darts can be. Every day and every match is different. You can play one fantastic leg and an hour later a less good one. It’s about staying calm, hanging in there and always fighting on.”

Family plays a major role in Joe’s development. His brother Darrell Hunt and brother-in-law Stuart Woodmore are also active darters. “Darrell is very good and definitely has potential. He’s at the point where I was two to three years ago: the foundations are there, now he needs to stay consistent and build his average. If he stays focused, he can achieve the same results as me.”

The year 2026 started busy for Hunt. In addition to matches and travel, he makes sure to keep balance with family and work. “I have a fantastic partner who comes along as much as possible. That feeling of home, even in a hotel, helps enormously. Family and friends support me constantly, and that really makes a difference. I miss home a lot when I’m away, so I really value anything that gives me that feeling.”

One of Joe’s highlights was his first Challenge Tour title last year, when he beat Derek McLean in a deciding leg. “That title meant a lot. I didn’t play my best that day, but winning was an incredible feeling. Five minutes later I was already playing Derek again in the first round of the next tournament. It was a bizarre experience to go from a high back to reality so quickly.”

That victory also earned him the chance to play in several Players Championship events, where he impressed again. “It was surreal to be among the elite. For me it feels free and without pressure, I like playing as the underdog.”

In 2026 Joe started Q-School again, this time in the second stage thanks to his Challenge Tour results. “I hoped it would go well, but it was disappointing. It’s tough to start in the second stage without any earlier warm-up. Hopefully I won’t have to go back next year and can secure a PDC Tour Card via the Challenge Tour, that’s the goal.”

Joe Hunt’s ultimate goal is clear: a top-two finish on the Challenge Tour, a PDC Tour Card for the Pro Tour and a spot at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. “That would mean everything to me. It would be a proud moment, hard work rewarded. And after that? Who knows how far I can go. I know I can compete with the big players, and I want to showcase my skills further on the Pro Tour.”