LUKE LITTLER was shut down after talking up a so-called ‘banned’ concept.
And a major darts chief ruled out the new idea.
Luke Littler is among the darts players wanting the official recognition of the Triple Crown
PDC chief executive Matt Porter rubbished the suggestions
World champion and world No1 Luke Humphries are among the darts stars wanting the Triple Crown to be officially ratified.
The Nuke, 18, became the youngest man and only fifth player ever to , Premier League and World Matchplay.
He completed the set by – coming from 5-0 down to win 18-13 – in July.
Littler joined greats Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Humphries in the exclusive club.
But while many fans and even lots of the players recognise the Triple Crown, the PDC have no plans to formalise the achievement.
That is largely down to the fact that the Premier League is an invitational, non-ranking exhibition event.
But asked about thoughts for a possible Triple Crown – even replacing the Premier League with another big tournament – was rubbished by PDC chief executive Matt Porter.
Porter told Online Darts : “No, we haven’t. A small number of people have invented a phrase called the triple crown.
“All you do by categorising some events at one level is relegate other events.
“If we said events A, B, C and D were at that level, what does that say about events E, F, G and H? That they’re still good, but… it doesn’t work when we then go to sell those events.
“This narrative is great, keeps you all busy, gives fans something to talk about over a pint.
“But if you look at our new prize money structure, there are categories of events within that. It’s not difficult to work out.
“We’re not going to start chucking things in buckets, because if you put something in a high bucket, you automatically put others in a low one.”
Quizzed on whether the PDC ever discuss the term “triple crown”, Porter joked the topic is strictly off limits: “If we had a swear jar in our office, then that would be on the list.
“Not one of us ever sits in the office and goes, ‘Let’s call it this.’
“It keeps you all talking and gets people engaged on social media. But officially, it’s not something we’re adopting.”
The PDC also announced plans for a bumper 2026 calendar – their biggest, most stacked schedule yet with Slovakia and Poland added to the host nations.
And a .
Exeter has been dropped for the first time since 2009 and replaced by Antwerp, which makes its debut, amid the rise in popularity of darts in Belgium.
Porter admitted the decision was a business one.
He added: “It’s never an easy decision to drop a Premier League venue, particularly Exeter.
“There’s nothing else in that part of the country. But this is a commercial decision.
“The growth of darts in Belgium has been explosive, and I think Belgium deserves a Premier League night. The AFS Dome in Antwerp will be a wonderful venue.”
