Why Luke Littler prefers a rollercoaster to the oche in New Zealand: Van der Voort sees a big problem at the PDC

The World Series of Darts touches down this month in New Zealand and Australia, but not all big names fancy the long journey to the other side of the world. Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen are skipping the trip Down Under. According to Vincent van der Voort, that speaks to a broader trend. The former professional believes interest among the world’s elite in these events has dropped sharply.

The podcast Darts Draait Door looked ahead to the two World Series tournaments. Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock, Ross Smith, and Damon Heta make up the PDC lineup. The absence of Littler, Humphries, and Van Gerwen particularly stands out.

Van der Voort clearly remembers that players used to jump at the chance to go to Australia and New Zealand. Back then, the trip also featured three tournaments.

“You can just tell in general that enthusiasm for that trip has become much lower than a few years ago. Ten years ago everyone was genuinely upset if they weren’t allowed to go.”

Van der Voort adds that the journey was seen as a special experience at the time. Players mixed darts with excursions and had the chance to explore a part of the world they wouldn’t normally visit.

“There were three tournaments and they got a great trip with it. I remember Michael doing some sightseeing and seeing the best spots. You felt genuinely slighted if you weren’t picked. And now they really have to push and pull at the lads to see if anyone wants to be there.”

The waning interest also prompts Van der Voort to reflect on the bigger picture behind the World Series. The concept was created to grow darts internationally. The Dutchman questions how much progress has actually been made.

“In that sense, the World Series is, well… I’m not really sure what to think of it. Why it was set up. I always thought they’d build something there and then see if ranking events could follow to spread everything more globally. But compared to ten years ago, nothing has changed. If anything, it’s gone backwards.”

Van der Voort points out that the PDC Tour remains heavily Europe-focused. Although international circuits exist, he sees hardly any new players from, for example, Oceania and North America breaking through to the world’s elite.

“Ultimately, it’s really just Europe. Because outside Europe you’ve got next to nothing. Asia neither. They can’t really make it work. Maybe it’s still too early.”

He also notes that the names from Oceania facing PDC stars at the World Series change very little. Players like Raymond Smith and Haupai Puha have been familiar faces for years.

“You probably saw those on the list five or six years ago as well. And it’s the same in America. Nothing’s coming through there either. No new intake, no youth talents.”

That’s exactly why Van der Voort cites Corey Cadby as an example of what the World Series should deliver in his view. Years ago, the Australian was regarded as one of the biggest talents outside Europe and immediately held his own against the established elite at a young age.

“That’s what you want to see, of course. That’s why Corey Cadby was a great story. A young lad. And suddenly making life very hard for the biggest names in the world and beating them. So yes, reaching a World Series final against Kyle Anderson. That’s pretty much what it’s meant for. But now it’s all a bit stagnant. Not much is really happening.”

The fact that only two World Series events are played on the Down Under swing these days is, to Van der Voort, another telling sign.

“That also shows that interest is declining. Otherwise you could easily do three. As brilliantly as the PDC has set everything up and as much money as you can earn, they still aren’t managing to take it truly global.”

For Gian van Veen, the situation is different. The Dutchman makes his debut at the World Series Down Under and does so as the highest-ranked player in the field. Van der Voort mainly sees the upside of such a special trip for Van Veen. “Of course that’s great. And for him it’s also a trip he’ll never forget. You’ll visit places you wouldn’t normally go to so quickly.”

Even so, the absence of Littler, Humphries, and Van Gerwen remains a sensitive issue for the organizers. Van der Voort knows the PDC regularly tries to persuade top players when they are not keen on taking part.

“I also know the PDC often makes calls to those players. ‘Can’t I still talk you into going?’ Michael has a pretty good reason with his kids and last year’s divorce for not going. But even before that he didn’t always go. So you still have to make it appealing somehow for them to go.”

According to Van der Voort, money doesn’t even have to be the main issue. The top players are on the road an awful lot during the season and therefore make different choices in their free time. Littler, for example, opted for a vacation in the United States.

“They travel so much, Littler and Humphries as well. Littler is now traveling to America to ride roller coasters. So that’s not exactly nearby either. But he might enjoy that. That’s what I mean. Then he doesn’t enjoy this as much. I don’t think it’s a money matter. It’s simply not feeling like it.”

Van der Voort can understand Littler’s choice to some extent. The young Englishman has won a lot this season and now opts for relaxation instead of another long darts trip. “I can also imagine he enjoys those theme parks more. I can definitely see that a bit more.”

With a wink, Van der Voort still has one wish for Littler’s holiday. With a busy autumn ahead, he mostly hopes the world number one keeps his darts in the case for now. “Let’s hope he just doesn’t touch any darts there. And that his level is a bit lower when he comes back. So we get a fun, exciting autumn.”