By Brad Williams
As sports fans, we are always on the lookout for the next superstar to arise, an underdog story to come to life, or the next larger-than-life character to grace our TV screens.
And in darts, that is no different. You only must look at Luke Littler’s meteoric rise to stardom as a prime example of his. With the sports’ ever-growing popularity, a big breakthrough is a possibility at any time.
So, with that said, here are the five players who could potentially take the step-up this year and leave their mark on the sport.
5 Arno Merk
The 33-year-old German has already had a fierce start to 2026, reaching the third round of the World Championship in his debut year, where he dispatched of Kim Huybrechts, and stunned former two-time Champion of the world, Peter Wright in straight sets.
He eventually succumbed to Michael Van Gerwen, in a game where he still gave a respectable account of himself. Well, his year has only gotten better as he has managed to get himself through Q-School, with a 6-5 comeback victory over Jeffrey Sparidaans to secure his spot on the PDC tour, for at least the next two years. So, watch this space, as I believe Arno Merk can cause a few more upsets in the coming year.
4 Damon Heta
Damon Heta is one of those players who, when on his A-game, there are few on the circuit who can live with him. An easy on-the-eye throw and a monster scorer, the only thing stopping ‘The Heat’ from reaching that next level is his consistency.
If you are doubting the heights that Heta can hit in a game, go back and watch his exhilarating 10-8 victory over Luke Littler in the 2024 UK Open, where he averaged over 106 while taking out 48% of his attempts on the double. One of his best performances to date, against the now two-time World Champion and World number one.
Off the oche, the Aussie number one has already been endeared by the darting masses with his rather fitting Bruce Springsteen walk-on, his signature handlebar moustache and fiery headgear, which you can often spot fans replicating in the crowd. This could be the year that sees Heta finally claim his maiden PDC televised title.
3 Charlie Manby
Charlie Manby’s name is justifiably at the top of a lot of people’s minds when they think about players to look out for this year.
After a stellar 2026 World Championship campaign, which saw him reach the fourth round on debut after victories over Cameron Menzies, Adam Sevada, and Ricky Evans, Manby was a single win away from automatically securing a PDC Tour Card.
Unfortunately, he ran into eventual runner –up Gian Van Veen, who proved just to be a step ahead on the occasion. Take nothing away from the 20-year-old as he proved he belongs on the big stage. We await to see if he manages to get through Q-School, but if so, the promising youngster could really have an impact over the next year or two.
2 Beau Greaves
Greaves is an exceptional talent in the world of darts, who you feel could really have that breakthrough moment at any time now, which would see her become a force on the PDC tour. I, for one, think it will happen this year.
“Beau ‘n’ Arrow” bagged her tour card when she finished second on the order of merit of the development tour in 2025 and already boasts an impressive resume at just 21-years-old, which includes winning the WDF Women’s World Championship three times consecutively.
More recently, the Doncaster native reached the final of the 2025 World Youth Championships, besting Luke Littler 6-5 in the semi-finals on the way with an average of 105. Although she lost in the final to Gian Van Veen, she still showed many moments of promise that have fans excited for the next year.
1 Gian Van Veen
Putting the runner-up of the 2026 World Darts Championship on the list may seem like a lazy pick; however, the Dutchman is just scratching the surface of what he can achieve.
For the first time since 2013, the Dutch have a new number one in the form of Van Veen, who has ended Michael Van Gerwen’s dominance at the top of that list following his inspired World Championship campaign.
The reigning World Youth Champion is still just 23 years old and bagged his first PDC televised major last October in Minehead, when he defeated Luke Humphries 11-10 to capture the European Championship.
Many fans and pundits spoke of the potential Luke Littler and Luke Humphries rivalry, which looked set to dominate the sport for years to come, and while it still may, Gian Van Veen is the player to throw a spanner in the works and closely compete with both. So do not be surprised if ‘The Giant’ bags a few trophies this year and really cements himself as one of the best in the world.