Luke Littler is renowned for landing a “Big Fish” 170 checkout on the darts stage, but next month the world champion will be hoping to reel in a different kind of prize as he returns to one of his favourite off-the-oche activities.
For the third consecutive year, the 19-year-old will headline the Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship, the UK’s biggest annual charity fishing event, which celebrates its 14th edition in 2026.
The tournament will take place at Tunnel Barn Farm in Warwickshire on July 28 and, while closed to the public, will be broadcast at a later date on ITV4.
Organisers are aiming to raise more than £40,000 for a range of charitable causes, including the Willow Foundation, St Francis Hospice, Haven House, the Ricky Hatton Foundation and Alex – The Leukodystrophy Charity.
Littler, who recently pocketed £410,000 after securing his second Premier League Darts title, first attended the event in 2024 despite admitting he had “never fished in my life” beforehand.
Since then, however, the Warrington wonderkid has developed a genuine passion for angling. Fans even caught a glimpse of his growing enthusiasm for fishing in the Netflix documentary series Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen.
While landing 180 fish in a four-hour competition may be beyond even Littler’s talents, he’ll certainly be hoping for another memorable catch when he takes to the lakeside later this summer.
The event comes at a busy time in Littler’s schedule. He is set to appear at the charity competition just two days after the conclusion of the World Matchplay in Blackpool, where he will be defending the title he won last year. It also falls just weeks before the New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland.
A total of 32 sporting stars and celebrity guests will take part, split into eight teams of four, competing for both individual and team honours.
Among those joining Littler by the water will be legendary sports promoter Barry Hearn, former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman, England rugby international Ellis Genge and former cruiserweight boxing world champion Tony Bellew.
Event organiser and JBD Media & Events chairman Jess Harding said the popularity of the competition continues to grow year after year.
“The Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship is a much-loved event that is getting bigger and bigger every year,” Harding said.
“We’re privileged that titans from the sporting world want to get stuck in, and although it’s a fun charity event, these competitors are used to operating at an elite level — everyone wants to win.”
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson, founder of the Willow Foundation, also praised the event’s continued support for charitable causes.
“We’re extremely grateful that the team at the Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship continues to support the vital work of the Willow Foundation,” Wilson said.
“The event brings together some of the biggest names from the world of sport and we thank all the competitors and sponsors for helping create this special day.
“The funds raised allow us to provide Willow Special Days that bring hope, smiles and unforgettable experiences to young adults living with life-threatening illnesses across the UK.”
For Littler, it will provide a rare chance to unwind away from the pressure of professional darts. Whether he’s hitting treble 20s or casting lines into a lake, one thing is certain — the teenager continues to make an impact wherever he goes.
Comments are closed.