Luke Littler may be the world's top-ranked darts player at just 19 years old, yet he faces an emerging wave of teenage talent determined to dethrone him. Two exceptional young competitors—Mitchell Lawrie, 15, and Jayden Walker, 14—will both get their chance to face the two-time World Darts Champion in Netflix's Beat Luke Littler event on Friday, with the winner claiming a substantial £501,000 prize.
According to Sky Sports, the pair represent just two of 24 finalists competing in the format, where if any contestant defeats Littler, the event concludes and they take home the prize. Littler must win 24 legs in succession to prevent his challengers from claiming victory.
Both teenagers have previously faced Littler and are acutely focused on the opportunity ahead. The event format requires contestants to complete 501 in 24 darts or fewer to progress through the initial audition stage, which was powered by Target OMNI and DartCounter.
Lawrie's ambitions extend beyond Friday
Lawrie, a Target Darts ambassador, holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to win a match at the World Darts Federation World Championship—a record he surpassed before Littler achieved his own prominence. The Scottish teenager has already tasted competitive darts against the world No 1, though the outcome was not in his favour.
It was three or four years ago [that I played Luke Littler]. And he beat me 3-2 - I missed a few match darts!
That encounter occurred before either player reached their current level of achievement. When asked about the prospect of facing Littler again, Lawrie expressed genuine optimism about his chances.
100 per cent [I'm expecting to beat him]. It's one leg. He'll be up there throwing. I don't imagine I'll be on close to the start. Hopefully I'll win the bull-up and then hit two trebles to start -and then we'll see where the leg takes us. But that's the plan. Win the bull-up, hit two trebles, and then we'll see where it goes from there.
The financial incentive is substantial.
It's life-changing money so I'm looking forward to it,Lawrie told Sky Sports, before acknowledging the competitive field he faces.
I just obviously hope I get to get the chance to play because I know there are also 24 other good players that have been picked. I'm just hoping to get a chance to play Luke.
Lawrie's ambitions extend well beyond the Netflix event. The Scot, who turns 16 next week, has confirmed his intention to compete in the PDC's Qualifying School in 2027, aiming to secure a two-year Tour card and establish himself on the professional circuit.
No, I'm not thinking about it; I'm definitely doing [the Q-school] - that's what I want to do. I've wanted to be a professional darts player since I started. And that's what we're going to try to do in January. Hopefully, I'll get my tour card there and then go on to bigger and better things.
He explained his reasoning for pursuing the PDC route over remaining in the WDF system.
As I've said, I've loved the WDF system and stuff. They've been great with me and I've enjoyed that a lot. But the money's right in the PDC. That's where you can make a living out of darts. So, that's where you need to go.
Notably, Lawrie became the first teenager to reach a WDF World Championship final in 2025, underlining his rapid ascent through the sport's ranks.
Walker's understated confidence masks remarkable achievements
While Lawrie speaks openly about his professional ambitions and confidence in beating Littler, Walker—a year younger—adopts a more measured approach despite an extraordinary list of accomplishments for his age.
I've hit quite a few 170s, but I've only hit three nine-darters,Walker revealed to Sky Sports.
The last nine-darter was in February last year. I've been so close to hitting double 12 a few times, but hopefully it'll come. You see the professionals on the TV, they probably hit about three or four a week - compared to them, it's not much at all. But hopefully, as I develop my game more, I can hopefully hit more and maybe I can get one competitively in a game.
Walker's credentials are nonetheless formidable. He won the England International Open earlier in October, becoming the youngest winner of a senior WDF title and breaking a record previously held by Littler. At just 12 years old, he defeated world No 2 Luke Humphries, averaging 102 in the process—a performance that prompted Humphries to describe him as
the best 12-year-old [player] I've ever seen in my life.
Despite his remarkable progress, Walker has not yet fully convinced his parents that professional darts should take priority over his education.
My mum always tells me I have to finish my homework before I can go out to a night of darts. Because I love darts so much, I sort of make myself do the homework.
He credits mathematics with sharpening his darts skills.
[One of my favourite subjects is] maths - it helped me in darts, because during lockdown when I first started playing, I started focusing on it. The only schoolwork they set us was maths. I just did maths and all those mental arithmetics helped me with my game, with all the shots out.
Walker has previously encountered Littler on two occasions, with mixed results.
He beat me easily the first time, but then the second time it was quite a competitive game. If I do end up playing him on Friday, hopefully it'll be competitive.
The Dorset native recognises that the Netflix platform offers value regardless of whether he faces Littler for the prize.
Even if I don't get to play Luke on the night, it'll be good publicity for being on Netflix. Hopefully I can get a few sponsors that can help me travel on the back of that. And a few followers, that'd be quite nice.
He confirmed his preparation is intensive.
I'm excited for Friday. Obviously, I've been putting in a few hours this morning and I'll probably be putting in a few after this interview and for the rest of the week really, so I know I've got to practise and dedicate myself to beating him. I've met Luke before. I've played him twice as well, actually.
The format and field
The 24 contestants will compete for 20 places before being divided into groups and randomly selected to face Littler. The shortlist has drawn some criticism from fans, as Netflix's announced 24-person shortlist includes established players such as Fallon Sherrock, prompting criticism from fans who expected a field of everyday amateurs.
What happens next
The live event takes place on Friday, October 30, at Manchester Central Convention Complex, with a 7 p.m. UK start time. Gary Lineker will host the broadcast, with Richard Osman providing expert analysis.
Both Walker and Lawrie will aim to seize their moment and claim the £501,000 prize on Friday—and their performances suggest darts fans will be seeing these teenage sensations on screens for many years to come.
