Target Darts’ newest star Josh Rock has predicted a huge spike in prize money as darts continues to grow in popularity.
Rock revealed that he thinks the future PDC champion could win up to £1million in future contests, and it’s all thanks to one individual.
Speaking to talkSPORT Darts, the Northern Irishman said it was ‘still surreal’ to see his prize money improve from £300 a week to £30,000 at a time – quite the upgrade from his previous job at a chicken hatchery.
Asked on future prize money, he admitted that it’s ‘not far away’ from seeing a £1m prize pot.
Darts has grown exponentially in popularity since Luke Littler’s rise to stardom since he burst onto the scene at last year’s World Championship, before emerging victorious at Alexandra Palace the following year earlier this month.
“We’re not too far away, because of how much more popular darts is now because of what Littler’s done. The prize money is only going to go up,” Rock said.
“I would say, my opinion, the winner will get a million in four or five years time. It will go up gradually, not just a million straight away.
“I think it’ll be potentially five (£500,000) this year, then potentially £600,000, £750,000 and then potentially a million. That’s what I think.”
The current prize fund totals £2.5m, including £500,000 for the winner, which has been unchanged since 2019.
In 2014 and 2015, the winner received £250,000, an increase of £50,000 from the previous edition.
From 2016, the prize money increased by a further £50,000 each year until 2019, when it increased by £100,000.
But now, attention turns to the next increase, particularly given the growth in the sport seen since Littler emerged.
GettyRock signed for Target in January[/caption]Littler became the youngest world champion in darts history at 17 years and 347 days – recently celebrating his 18th birthday.
In fact, the surge in young darts players has doubled since Littler reached the final in 2024 – a year before he went one step further to lift the Sid Waddell trophy himself.
The 2024 final was watched by 3.7 million people and subsequently became Sky’s biggest audience for a non-football sporting event. Littler’s victory this January was viewed by 3.1m.
Speaking of fellow youngster Littler, Rock said: “I believe that Luke Littler and I will push each other to be the very vest, we both share the same ambition and drive and love for the game.
“I truly believe we can dominate the sport for years to come” he added.
GettyRock believes him and Littler – who showed off his World Championship trophy at Old Trafford recently – can dominate darts in the coming years[/caption]On whether the fame and ‘superstar status’ could hamper Littler’s continued success in 2025, Rock disagreed.
“No, not one bit. That kid’s just special. That won’t phase him, being world champion or not. He might get beaten a lot more often than he did, but it’s not going to phase him at all,” Rock said.
On Littler’s upcoming clash with Michael van Gerwen in Belfast for the Premier League darts match, Rock predicted a tight game, calling it ‘6-5 either way’.
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