Luke Littler to face amateur players in live Netflix event

British darts prodigy Luke Littler is partnering with Netflix for a high-stakes live television event on October 30, 2026. Titled Beat Luke Littler, the special invites amateur players to challenge the world number one for a £501,000 cash prize after qualifying through regional heats.

Netflix UK Live Team Produces Special With Banijay UK

Netflix is continuing its massive push into live sports programming, bringing one of the sport’s most dominant modern figures directly to television screens. Netflix UK announced the brand-new live special, setting up a high-stakes showdown where everyday pub players and amateur enthusiasts can go head-to-head with the world’s biggest darts superstar.

The production brings together television makers as Banijay UK puts the event together for Netflix, with production backed by Banijay-backed Workerbee. The broadcast lands on October 30 as part of Netflix UK’s live team led by Daisy Lilley, which was formed off the back of the success of the likes of Skyscraper Live and the boxing match between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov.

The Rise of The Nuke and a Record-Breaking Season

At just 19 years old, the player known as “The Nuke” has transformed from a teenage sensation into a mainstream cultural phenomenon. His ascent began during an historic run to the final of the PDC World Darts Championship at 16 years old in January 2024. Since that explosive debut, he has collected major titles including the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts, culminating in his status as the youngest world number one at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship at age 17, alongside winning the past two World Darts Championships and the most recent Premier League.

Betfred World Matchplay Victory in Blackpool

The announcement follows a dominant stretch on the professional circuit. Littler defeated Gerwyn Price 18-9 to retain his Betfred World Matchplay title in Blackpool on Sunday, setting a new tournament final average record of 111.53. That performance lifted his overall tournament average to 111.04, breaking Phil Taylor’s previous high mark of 106.31. During the final, the champion hit 12 180s to reach 66 for the week, breaking his own competition record for 180s and keeping him on course for a clean sweep of trophies this year after already winning the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League, and the Masters.

How the £501,000 David vs. Goliath Challenge Works

The upcoming live special rests on a simple premise: 20 chosen amateur darts players will get a single perfect leg of 501 to try and take down the master on live television. The jackpot amount of £501,000 ($667,000) is a direct reference to the 501 points that players work down from in standard darts as they aim for a score of zero.

Reckon you could beat me in a game of darts? Let's go. – Luke Littler

In the promotional video released to announce the casting call, Littler swiped through confident social media comments from fans claiming they could take him down.

Everyone thinks they can beat me. Now they get a chance to prove it. Bring it on. – Luke Littler

Audition Requirements and Regional Heats

Aspiring competitors must navigate a specific set of eligibility rules and application steps before securing a spot on the stage. Open regional heats are scheduled to take place in London and Manchester in September to evaluate contenders.

BeatLukeLittler.com Registration for Amateur Players

Applicants must have or expect to have the right to legally reside in or travel to the U.K. for the duration of the production if selected. Participants must be aged 18 or over, or, if applying on behalf of a minor, the minor is or will be aged 12 or over on October 13, 2026. Anyone aged 12 and over can apply for the series, although those aged under 18 attending open auditions must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The competition is strictly for amateurs; players are not currently, and have never previously been, a Professional Darts Corporation (“PDC”) Tour Card holder. Registration is open online at BeatLukeLittler.com, where hopefuls answer a series of questions in the application form, such as how long they have been playing darts and why they think they could beat Littler.

luke littler sets netflix live event — Photo: whats-on-netflix.com

LUKE LITTLER VS PHIL TAYLOR’S DARTS | Can the World Champion Play With the GOAT'S Darts?

The Viral Spark That Inspired the Project

The path to a major streaming event follows a wave of online speculation and viral ideas. The television concept may have been written in the stars after a recent idea from one Instagram user went viral, suggesting that Littler should challenge champion British runner Mo Farah to a half marathon during which they each complete a leg of darts at the end of every mile. Littler challenged Farah to the race soon after it took off on social media, helping fuel the momentum that brought the professional darts star and Netflix together for a full-scale live broadcast.