Future Stars of Darts: 9 Young Players Set to Shine

 With Gian van Veen retaining the World Youth Championship and the JDC holding it's World Championship currently,  it’s a great time to reflect on how important this tournament has become for shaping future stars. 

Since its current format began in 2011, winners like Michael Smith, Dimitri Van den Bergh, Josh Rock, Gian van Veen, and Luke Littler have all gone on to claim major TV titles and some big names have made finals including Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen This platform being used as a springboard to success.

Clearly, the youth system,alongside the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) and Development Tour and provides a solid grounding for players aiming for the top. So, who might we be talking about in the next few years? Here are nine names to watch:

Archie Self (England)

Currently the JDC World No.1, Archie has dominated the Advanced Tour with multiple titles and finals appearances. He also won the WDF Boys’ World Championship and reached the senior England Open semi-finals at just 15. His scoring power and composure under pressure make him a standout prospect.

Jack Nankervis (England)

Jack burst onto the scene by winning six Foundation Tour events at age 12 and three Advanced Tour titles at 13. He’s already challenged Luke Littler in the MVG Masters final and posted a 101 average in the Winmau Junior Open. Expect him to be a Development Tour force very soon.

Tergel Khurelkhuu (Mongolia)

A trailblazer for Asian darts, Tergel topped the JDC Advanced Tour rankings and has produced mid-90 averages on big stages. His rapid rise and fearless approach suggest he could become a global ambassador for the sport.

Lex Paeshuyse (Belgium)

Lex made history as the youngest JDC World Champion at 13, averaging over 90 in the final. Belgium has produced stars like Dimitri Van den Bergh, and Lex looks ready to follow in those footsteps.

Owen Bryceland (Scotland)

At just 10 years old, Owen won the JDC Scotland Masters and is already drawing comparisons to Luke Littler. His natural talent and early success make him one to watch for the long term.

Jack Johnson (England)

Jack claimed the JDC Super 16 title in 2025, defeating Jayden Walker in a high-quality final. His ability to handle pressure and produce big finishes is impressive for his age.

Jayden Walker (England)

Runner-up in the Super 16, Jayden hit a 101 average and a 14-darter during the event. His scoring power and temperament suggest he’ll be a regular name on youth leaderboards.

Colton Dunn (CAN)

North America’s brightest youth talent, Colton topped the CDC Junior Evolution Tour and earned a spot at the JDC World Cup. His progress could help ignite darts in the U.S. market.

Rebecca Allen (England)

Female talent is also emerging strongly, and Rebecca Allen is leading the charge. She’s been making waves in JDC events and is tipped as a future star who could inspire more women and girls to take up the sport.

Grand Slam of Darts Quarter-Finals: My AI-Model Predicts the Winner

 

The 2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts is down to the final eight, and it’s one of the most wide-open quarter-final line-ups we’ve seen in years.

So I decided to put my Philpot AI-Style Prediction Model to work.

This model blends:

• recent three-dart average

• checkout %

• 180s and scoring bursts

• big-stage experience

• bookmakers’ odds (converted into a rating)

• and a final Philpot Form Boost' for players trending upwards

It’s early days for the model, but it gives a fun, stats-based look at who’s most likely to lift the title this weekend.

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⭐ Philpot AI Ratings (Out of 100)

1. Luke Littler – 95/100

The defending champion, the strongest scorer in the field, and the most explosive leg-player in the world right now.
Elite 180 power + rock-solid temperament = the model’s outright favourite.

2. Luke Humphries – 90/100

Still the best all-round player on the planet when he hits top gear.
A slightly lower form rating keeps him behind Littler, but his stage experience and consistency mean he is right in the mix.

3. Gerwyn Price – 88/100

Nobody brings Grand Slam pedigree like Price.
Big-stage factor + finishing quality keep him in the top tier of contenders.

4. Danny Noppert – 85/100

Quietly in great form.
Strong doubling numbers, improved scoring, and a high “danger of causing an upset” rating in the model.

5. Michael Smith – 82/100

Still posting big numbers but hasn’t quite had the major-run consistency this season.
His ceiling is massive — but his floor can be low.

6. Josh Rock – 80/100

Momentum, yes. Experience deep in TV majors, not as much.
The model loves his long-term curve but sees this as “maybe one tournament too soon”.

7. Ricky Evans – 78/100

Playing freely and enjoying the moment.
A live danger in patches, but model marks him down on consistency and doubling.

8. Lukas Wenig – 75/100

What a story.
Huge power, fearless, but low Grand Slam / TV experience keeps the model cautious.
Still very capable of a shock.

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🏆 🏆 Philpot AI Champion Prediction

The numbers pick:

🏆 Luke Littler – 95/100

Everything points to a deep run: the scoring, the timing, the pressure handling, and last year’s title. The model says Littler is the man to beat.

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🌑 Next Best Pick

Luke Humphries – 90/100

If Littler slips even slightly, Humphries is the most likely to punish him. His consistency over long formats remains elite.

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⚡ Surprise Candidate

Danny Noppert – 85/100

The stats favour him more than many fans realise.
If Price or Littler have an off night, Noppert has the game to pounce.

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📈 What’s Next for the Model?

I’ll update this after the quarter-finals to see how well the predictions performed and adjust the model for the semi-finals and final.

Let me know in the comments who your pick is!

Who Can Follow Beau Greaves to the Very Top?

 For years, darts fans have wondered when a woman would genuinely challenge the men on the PDC stage. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from Fallon Sherrock and her history-making Ally Pally wins, Lisa Ashton’s brave runs on the Pro Tour, and Mikuru Suzuki’s impressive averages on the Women’s Series. Each showed glimpses that it could happen, but so far, none have made that final step into the upper tiers of the professional game.

Enter Beau Greaves.
Still only in her early twenties, she’s already a dominant force on the Women’s Series and has proven she can mix it with the men. Her smooth throw, natural rhythm, and icy composure under pressure have made her one of the most gifted players, male or female, to emerge in recent years. With more regular PDC appearances likely in 2025, there’s a real sense that Beau could push the boundaries further than anyone before her.

But who else might follow?

One name to watch is Gemma Hayter. She’s been steadily improving, putting in strong performances across regional events and the Women’s Series. While not quite at Greaves’ level yet, she’s not too far off and it will be fascinating to see how she performs at Q School in January. She has the temperament, the will, and the game to cause some upsets. Ireland's Rebecca Allen is one for the future and will be interesting if she tries her hand on the Women's Series soon. She is arguably the best under 18 year old female player in the world. 

In the men’s game, the next generation is already queuing up. Players like Luke Littler, Josh Rock, Gian van Veen, and Wessel Nijman, have shown that age is no barrier to competing at elite level. Their rapid rise demonstrates what can happen when young players get the exposure, support, and competitive opportunities they need.

That’s perhaps where the women’s game still has work to do.
The Women’s Series streaming boards have added some much-needed visibility — but it’s still limited. Imagine if there were regular tournament highlights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content showcasing the personalities and rivalries developing on the circuit. More visibility means more role models — and that’s what will ultimately encourage more young women to pick up the darts and believe they can make it.

Beau Greaves has shown the path.
Now the question is: who’s next to follow her?