"I decided to leave my day job and focus on my darts": Joe Hunt is aiming for the ultimate PDC comeback after a twelve-year absence
PDCSunday, 05 July 2026 at 14:58
Joe Hunt may be enjoying the most important season of his darts career. The Englishman currently tops the PDC Challenge Tour Order of Merit, firmly putting himself in the spotlight. Not only has he impressed on the PDC's second-tier circuit, but his performances in Players Championship events have also shown that he looks ready for a permanent place among the world's best players.
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Thanks to his strong performances on the Challenge Tour, Hunt has regularly earned opportunities to compete on the ProTour this season, and he has grabbed those chances with both hands. However, his success story has taken an unusual path, as he spent many years largely out of sight within the PDC.
Before his current rise, Hunt's focus lay elsewhere for a long time. The Isle of Wight thrower eventually decided to go all-in on reviving his darts career.
“I’m still living on the Isle of Wight, but I wasn’t born here. I’ve got a partner and kids but workwise, the tours are keeping me rather busy I decided to leave my day job and focus on my darts," said Hunt to Bang on Target.
For someone living on the Isle of Wight, pursuing a professional darts career comes with plenty of practical challenges. Travelling is never straightforward, and the packed tournament schedule means plenty of miles on the road. “And yes, the ferry crossings are always an issue!”
Hunt never lost his love for the sport
Hunt's career contains a remarkable gap. Between 2012 and 2024, he was barely seen on the PDC circuit for 12 years. According to the Englishman, though, that was never part of some grand plan.
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“That wasn’t really planned. Life took me in a different direction with work and family, and darts naturally took a back seat. I never completely fell out of love with the game though. Eventually I felt the time was right to give it another go, and I wanted to see what I could still achieve.”
Breakthrough on the Challenge Tour
The first real sign that Hunt could climb back towards the top came last year. In August 2025, he claimed his first Challenge Tour title. Many observers were surprised by the victory, but Hunt already knew his game was moving in the right direction.
That confidence proved to be a major turning point. While many players struggle to turn one strong weekend into consistent results, Hunt managed to build on his momentum.
His first experiences on the ProTour also played a huge role. As a substitute, he had the chance to test himself against established names, and it immediately left him wanting more.
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“It’s definitely exceeded my expectations. I knew I was playing well, but to have the results come as quickly as they have has been a real bonus.”
“It certainly surprised a few people, but I knew my game was heading in the right direction. Everything seemed to click over that weekend, and once I got on a run my confidence just grew with each match.”
“Getting the call-ups last year definitely gave me a taste for it. Playing against the top players is where you want to test yourself, and it made me even more determined to earn more opportunities," he added.
In 2026, Hunt flew out of the blocks. The Englishman opened his Challenge Tour campaign by winning the first two events, immediately taking a huge step towards his ultimate goal of securing a PDC Tour Card without having to return to the notoriously difficult Q School.
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However, Hunt insists that fast start was no accident. Months of preparation had gone into making sure he was ready for the new season.
“I prepared well over the winter, so I came in feeling confident. Winning the first two events wasn’t something I expected, but it showed the work I’d put in was paying off.”
“The aim was always to get off to a good start and put myself in the best possible position for Pro Tour call-ups. The more experience you get at that level, the better.”
Hunt's performances have also fuelled a wider debate within the darts world. Players near the top of the Challenge Tour rankings are regularly called into Players Championship events when Tour Card holders are absent, but they are not permitted to enter European Tour qualifiers afterwards.
Some players believe this is a missed opportunity, particularly when places become available because Tour Card holders choose not to enter those qualifiers. Hunt agrees.
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“I do think Challenge Tour call-ups should be allowed into the Euro Tour qualifiers after the Pro Tour double-headers. If places become available because players don’t enter, it seems fair that those already earning call-ups should have the opportunity.”
Asked if the ProTours were then daunting, he wasn't of that viewpoint. “I wasn’t really daunted by them. There’s always a bit of excitement, but I think most of the Challenge Tour lads look at it as a chance to prove themselves. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.“
World Championship remains the ultimate dream
Hunt's impressive season has opened up more and more possibilities. Earning a Tour Card through the Challenge Tour rankings has become a realistic objective, but he has another major ambition for this year.
His ultimate goal is clear. “Absolutely. My aim is to qualify for the World Championships. That would make everything worthwhile.”
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He also gave his darting wish that he wants just one Challenge Tour event a day instead of two. Very much wishful thinking. “I’d probably look at having one Challenge Tour event per day rather than doubling up. I’d also be in favour of Challenge Tour call-ups having more opportunities in the Euro Tour qualification system.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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