MODUS announces new Royal Rumble-style darts tournament: Here’s why Luke Littler and co can’t play

The darts world has been buzzing with excitement following MODUS Super Series’ official announcement of a Royal Rumble-style tournament, a concept that has been floated backstage for years and received backing from none other than world champion Luke Littler. However, there’s a catch that will disappoint many fans: PDC tour card holders, including the sport’s biggest stars, are prohibited from competing.

The innovative format promises to bring WWE-style entertainment to the oche, but strict contractual obligations mean the likes of Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price will all be watching from the sidelines rather than participating.

The Royal Rumble Concept

The tournament concept mirrors the famous WWE Royal Rumble, bringing mystery opponents and dramatic entrances to the world of darts. The format would start with two players facing each other on stage, with the winner remaining at the oche while the loser is replaced by a new competitor for the next match. This process would continue until player number 30, or a similarly high number, had walked on to play, with the winner of the final match becoming champion.

Luke Littler, who recently defended his PDC World Championship title with a dominant 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen, has been a vocal supporter of the concept. Speaking to SPORTbible in May 2025, the 18-year-old world number one expressed his enthusiasm for the format. “Have it!” Littler said. “I don’t think they can go above one leg of 501. Straight away, one leg, the loser goes off. Then the next player, they’ll do their walk-on, and so on.”

The idea has also received support from former PDC player Paul Nicholson, who claimed in 2025 that the concept had been “floated around for a little while now.” Nicholson has been particularly vocal about the potential for drama and entertainment, envisioning mystery opponents being unveiled behind curtains each week, with their walk-on music hitting to create huge reactions from the crowd and the player on stage.

MODUS Makes It Official

On Thursday, January 23, 2026, MODUS Super Series finally made the long-awaited announcement official. Alongside a promotional video featuring darts legends Steve Beaton, Robert Thornton, Kevin Painter, Fallon Sherrock, and Adrian Lewis, MODUS wrote: “ROYAL RUMBLE DARTS EDITION COMING SOON! Who will enter the Royal Rumble?”

The announcement sent ripples through the darts community, with fans immediately sharing their excitement and speculation about which players might compete. The promotional video showcased a mix of experienced professionals and beloved characters from the sport, hinting at the diverse field that could participate in the groundbreaking event.

The PDC Contract Restriction

Here’s where the excitement meets reality for many fans: as a MODUS event, full-time PDC tour card holders cannot enter as it would be in breach of their PDC contracts, unless a specific agreement was made between the organizations.

The restriction stems from a fundamental rule governing PDC tour card holders. Players who hold a PDC Tour Card are guaranteed participation in all 34 Players Championship tournaments in 2026, can participate in qualifying tournaments for Euro Tour events, qualifiers for the Grand Slam of Darts and World Series of Darts Finals, and the World Championship qualifying tournament. However, they cannot play in streamed events outside the PDC bracket.

This prohibition specifically includes the MODUS Super Series, the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC), and the World Darts Federation (WDF). Only those who fail to secure a tour card and play on the Challenge Tour are permitted to compete in these external streamed competitions.

The restriction means that the entirety of darts’ elite are off-limits for MODUS’s Royal Rumble. Luke Littler, fresh off his back-to-back World Championship triumphs and sitting comfortably at world number one, cannot compete. Luke Humphries, the defending Premier League champion and world number two, is also barred. The same applies to Michael van Gerwen, who recently won the Bahrain Darts Masters, Gian van Veen, James Wade, Nathan Aspinall, and all other members of the PDC’s top 64.

In total, 128 players currently hold PDC tour cards for 2026, and none of them would be eligible to participate in the MODUS Royal Rumble without special dispensation from the PDC.

Who Can Actually Play?

While the restriction rules out darts’ current elite, it opens the door for a fascinating mix of competitors that could make the event equally compelling in different ways.

Retired legends represent perhaps the most exciting possibility. Phil Taylor, the 16-time world champion who officially retired from darts, could potentially be tempted out of retirement for a one-off event. Fans have already begun speculating about “The Power” being number 30 in the Royal Rumble, making a dramatic late entrance that would send social media into meltdown.

Former PDC stars who no longer hold tour cards are also eligible. Adrian Lewis, the two-time world champion who returned to darts last year after an absence of over two years, decided not to enter Q-School to win back his PDC tour card. This makes him eligible to compete in the MODUS Royal Rumble, and his presence in the promotional video suggests he could well be involved.

Players who competed at Q-School in January 2026 but failed to secure one of the coveted tour cards would also be eligible. Many of these players are highly skilled and experienced, having competed at the highest level before losing their tour cards or attempting to break through for the first time.

The MODUS Super Series regularly features well-known names who don’t hold PDC tour cards, including darts legends Martin Adams, Kevin Painter, Robert Thornton, and Neil Duff. Women’s stars like Fallon Sherrock, Lisa Ashton, Mikuru Suzuki, and Trina Gulliver have also competed regularly on the circuit, with Beau Greaves joining the PDC tour proper in 2026 after winning through the Development Tour Order of Merit.

Even Luke Littler himself has history with MODUS, having played in the Super Series before joining the PDC and winning titles there during his development years. Many current PDC stars cut their teeth on the MODUS circuit before graduating to the main tour.

Fan Reactions and Speculation

The announcement has sparked immediate excitement and speculation among darts fans, with many already suggesting names they would love to see enter the MODUS version of the Royal Rumble.

“Phil Taylor has to be number 30,” one fan wrote on social media, envisioning the dramatic moment when the 16-time world champion’s walk-on music hits for a surprise appearance.

“This has got Matthew Edgar written all over it,” another suggested, referencing the former PDC player and current analyst who has been discussing the Royal Rumble concept on his YouTube channel.

Others have suggested incorporating entertainment personalities who have shown interest in darts, with one fan claiming: “Gotta throw a Jaack or Angry Ginge style entrant into the mix.” This references the YouTuber Angry Ginge, who entered Q-School in 2026 and has become a popular figure in the darts community despite his controversial online persona.

The mixture of genuine competitive darts and entertainment value could make the MODUS Royal Rumble a unique spectacle in the sport. The format lends itself to surprises, dramatic moments, and the kind of unpredictable entertainment that has made WWE’s Royal Rumble one of wrestling’s most anticipated annual events.

The Path Forward

While MODUS has confirmed the Royal Rumble concept is coming soon, specific details about dates, venues, prize money, and the full list of competitors remain under wraps. The organization’s track record suggests it will be well-organized and professionally produced, with the MODUS Super Series having established itself as the premier competition for non-PDC tour card holders.

The event will be streamed live, following MODUS’s standard practice of broadcasting all their competitions. Fans can expect professional commentary throughout each match, with the organization having built a reputation for high production values despite operating outside the PDC’s mainstream structure.

If the MODUS Royal Rumble proves successful, it could create pressure for the PDC to develop its own version of the format. Paul Nicholson has long advocated for the PDC to embrace this concept, suggesting it could be a one-night tournament played once per season, featuring the top 10 in the world plus 20 spots determined through a qualifying event.

The PDC has shown willingness to experiment with formats in recent years, expanding the World Championship field from 96 to 128 players in 2026 and continually adjusting the structure of various tournaments. A Royal Rumble-style event featuring the world’s best players, complete with mystery opponents and dramatic entrances, could become one of the most talked-about innovations in modern darts.

The Entertainment Factor

What makes the Royal Rumble concept particularly appealing is its emphasis on entertainment alongside competition. The mystery element, where players don’t know who they’ll face next, adds genuine suspense that traditional bracket-style tournaments cannot replicate. The cumulative fatigue factor, where one player might have to win multiple consecutive matches while fresh opponents keep arriving, creates natural drama and tests endurance as well as skill.

The format also lends itself to storytelling. Imagine a scenario where a young upstart eliminates a legend, only to be eliminated themselves moments later. Or a veteran going on an improbable run, defeating challenger after challenger while the crowd rallies behind them. These narratives emerge organically from the format itself, without requiring any predetermined scripting.

For MODUS, the Royal Rumble represents an opportunity to create a signature event that distinguishes their brand from the PDC’s traditional tournament structure. While they cannot compete with the PDC’s prize money or prestige, they can offer something different, something that appeals to both hardcore darts fans and casual viewers who might be drawn in by the spectacle.

The Bigger Picture

The announcement also highlights the complex ecosystem that exists in professional darts. While the PDC dominates the sport’s top tier, organizations like MODUS provide essential opportunities for players to compete, develop their skills, and earn prize money. The MODUS Super Series offers an annual prize fund exceeding £1 million, with more than 30 hours of matches broadcast every week.

For players who narrowly miss out on PDC tour cards at Q-School, MODUS provides a lifeline, allowing them to continue competing professionally while working toward another shot at the main tour. Several current PDC stars spent time honing their skills on the MODUS circuit before breaking through.

The Royal Rumble concept, while born out of entertainment considerations, could also serve a practical purpose: raising the profile of MODUS and the talented players who compete there. Greater visibility could translate to larger prize funds, more sponsorship opportunities, and increased recognition for players working to reach the PDC level.

Conclusion

The MODUS Royal Rumble promises to be one of the most innovative and entertaining additions to the darts calendar in recent years. While the absence of current PDC stars like Luke Littler, who has been such a vocal supporter of the concept, will disappoint some fans, the restriction opens the door for a different kind of spectacle.

Retired legends like Phil Taylor could make surprise appearances. Former world champions like Adrian Lewis, currently without a tour card, are eligible to compete. Rising stars looking to make names for themselves will have a platform to shine. And beloved characters from darts’ past and present can showcase their skills in a format designed for maximum drama and entertainment.

Whether the PDC eventually creates its own version of the Royal Rumble, allowing fans to see the world’s current elite compete in this format, remains to be seen. For now, MODUS is seizing the opportunity to do something different, something innovative, and something that could become a genuine highlight on the darts calendar.

The Royal Rumble is coming to darts. Luke Littler and his PDC colleagues may not be able to participate, but they’ll almost certainly be watching. And if MODUS pulls it off successfully, the pressure on the PDC to develop its own version will become impossible to ignore.

As one element of the darts community noted, if it’s a one-day event, not taken too seriously and including some players plucked from retirement, it’s hard to see how anyone wouldn’t enjoy it. The Royal Rumble concept may have been born in wrestling, but darts is about to make it its own. And even without the current elite, it promises to be unmissable viewing.