“Led by the main man Luke Littler” – Barry Hearn hails record global darts boom: “It’s just getting bigger and bigger!”

PDC chairman Barry Hearn insists darts is still only scratching the surface of its global potential, with demand for tournaments now outstripping what the calendar can realistically hold.

The man behind the sport’s remarkable growth over the past few decades believes that the challenge is no longer making darts popular, but keeping up with the scale of interest worldwide.

“It's just getting bigger and bigger,” Hearn said recently in conversation with Sky Sports. “I'm actually having a problem that there is only 365 days in a year! The demand worldwide is huge that I could fill that twice over."

The financial transformation of the sport shows no sign of slowing. Prize funds continue to climb across the board, with the World Championship now offering over £1 million.

That surge in rewards has turned darts from a working-class pastime into a genuine profession, with more young players than ever dedicating themselves to the sport full-time. The standard has risen accordingly, as the next generation challenge the established elite.

Hearn confirmed that more European Tour events will be added next season, a move designed to meet huge demand across the continent.

And in a landmark moment for Belgian darts, the Premier League will visit the country for the first time – recognition of its growing influence thanks to the rise of stars such as Dimitri Van den Bergh and Mike De Decker.

Hearn also hailed Luke Littler as the figurehead of darts’ new era. “It's non stop, but the players are responding with performances beyond what I've ever seen in my life in terms of averages and checkouts, led by the main man Luke Littler,” Hearn said. "He's fast becoming a phenomenon."

The 18-year-old’s rapid rise has galvanised the sport, inspiring a younger audience while pushing established stars to raise their level. For Hearn, that blend of proven names and fresh talent is exactly what keeps darts so compelling.

Hearn dismissed any suggestion that the sport could plateau. "It's the first year where our prize money goes past £25 million. The World Championship is £1 million. More European events because of the demand in Europe. A Premier League taken out the UK and going to Belgium..." Hearn lists off.

With record crowds, ever-increasing prize money and new markets opening around the world, Hearn insists the PDC is only at the start of its next chapter.