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Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock says he expects there to be a raucous atmosphere when he faces double world champion Luke Littler in the Premier League at the SSE Arena in Belfast in February.
Rock was named in the elite group of eight players to contest the Premier League for the first time last week, with the 17-week tournament kicking off in Newcastle on 5 February.
Belfast will host night four on 26 February, with the county Antrim native set to enjoy the support of the partisan home fans as he takes on world number one Littler.
“I think it’s going to be absolutely nuts,” the 24-year-old told BBC Sport NI.
“Daryl [Gurney] was the last one [from Northern Ireland to be part of the Premier League, in 2020], but that was prior to Covid and darts wasn’t as big back then. Now darts is bigger than it has ever been.
“I play Luke [Littler] in Belfast so we’ll see what happens. Every time I have played him it’s been 100 plus averages every time. I’ve been in front every time but just can’t seem to get over the line, but I’ll get him yet.”
Rock says he chats with Littler “nearly every day” and that the sport owes much to the English teenage sensation.
“Everything has to go down to Luke Littler. If it wasn’t for him doing what he did when he was only 16 [reaching the World Championship final as a rank outsider] and winning the Worlds the past two years the sport wouldn’t be where it is now.
“Everyone has to thank him for it.
“It has gone through the roof now. Darts is in a different place now than it was 10 years ago when I was a youth player. There are so many opportunities now.”
‘I can say I’m one of the elite players’
Getty ImagesRock, who won the World Cup of Darts with Northern Ireland team-mate Gurney in June 2025, explains that a change of manufacturer has helped him move up the world rankings over the past year.
“I’ve put a lot of time and effort in. I switched manufacturing company and I think that’s been the biggest difference and now I’m into the Premier League which was one of my goals,” he said.
“The night before [the Premier League line-up was announced] I didn’t sleep because I hadn’t heard anything and then 20 minutes before it was released I found out I was in. It was a relief in a way.
“I don’t think it has really sunk in but when I’m standing up on that stage in Belfast it’s going to hit me. I might be a bit nervous but I’ll enjoy the moment.
“They always say you’re not one of the elite players until you’re in the Premier League, now I can say I’m one of the elite players because I’m on television for the next 17 weeks straight. It’s a good feeling.”
Rock’s primary career aim remains becoming world champion one day, an achievement he must wait at least one more year to fulfil following his exit to an inspired opponent at the fourth-round stage at Alexandra Palace last month.
“I felt I could go all the way this year but then I fell into Justin Hood who hit 100% of doubles and I couldn’t do much against him, but I do believe one day I’ll be a world champion,” he said.
“I’ll be happy to walk away from this game with one world title.
“I’d like to get to the O2 for the final four [of the Premier League] and this year my aim is to get into the top four in the world.”
