Luke Littler to Face Amateurs in Manchester Netflix Special 2026

Key Points

• Beat Luke Littler Manchester has been set at Manchester Central Convention Complex.
• The live darts special will air on Netflix on October 30, 2026.
• Number one in the world, Luke Littler, will be pitted against 20 amateur players in an exclusive leg of 501.
• The successful amateur will get the opportunity to win £501,000.
• Many aspirants attended an audition in London.
• An additional Manchester audition will be held using a three-phase selection method.
• The applicants will be required to try and complete one leg of 501 with 24 darts or less.
• Successful applicants will undergo interviews from production company Workerbee.
• The third phase will involve interviews by Barry Hearn, Phil “The Power” Taylor and Laura Turner.
• Gary Lineker will be hosting the Netflix show, while Richard Osman will be analysing.
• Beat Luke Littler special will be produced by Workerbee, a subsidiary of Banijay UK, with support from the Professional Darts Corporation.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) September 18, 2026 – Manchester has been confirmed as the host city for Netflix’s live darts special, Beat Luke Littler, which will be broadcast from Manchester Central Convention Complex on October 30, 2026.

The programme will feature Luke Littler, the world number one, taking on 20 amateur players in a one-off leg of 501. The amateur competitors will be attempting to defeat Littler, while the eventual winner will have the opportunity to claim a £501,000 prize.

The event places Manchester at the centre of a major live television production involving one of the most prominent names in modern darts. Netflix will stream the special live, with the programme combining a competitive darts format, a substantial cash prize and a public search for amateur talent.

The Manchester venue was confirmed in a report by Prolific North, which stated that the programme will be filmed and broadcast from Manchester Central Convention Complex. The report did not identify an individual author.

How will the amateur darts players be selected?

Applicants in Manchester will face a three-stage audition process to secure one of the 20 places on the programme.

The first stage requires hopefuls to complete a single leg of 501 in 24 darts or fewer. That test is designed to identify players capable of producing a competitive performance under pressure, although completing the leg will not by itself guarantee a place on the show.

Those who pass the initial darts challenge will progress to an interview with the programme’s producers, Workerbee. The production company will assess the candidates before a final selection stage.

The final assessment will be conducted in front of Barry Hearn, the founder and president of Matchroom Sport; Phil “The Power” Taylor, a 16-time darts world champion; and Laura Turner, a professional darts player and television pundit.

The selection process means applicants will be assessed on more than their ability to complete a leg of 501. Their suitability for a live television event will also be considered during the interview and final assessment stages.

When is the Manchester audition taking place?

The Manchester heat is due to take place this weekend, according to Prolific North. It follows an open audition in London, where thousands of hopefuls attempted to win a place among the final 20 amateur competitors.

Phil Taylor said the London auditions had produced a significant amount of talent and that he expected the Manchester event to reach a similar standard.

As reported by Prolific North, Taylor said: “We saw a huge amount of talent in London last week and I’m expecting a similar level of quality in Manchester this weekend.”

The auditions are therefore expected to attract players with a range of experience, from committed amateur competitors to people who have developed their skills through local leagues, social competitions or home play.

However, the available announcement does not specify the precise number of candidates who will attend the Manchester heat or how many places will be allocated to players from the city and the surrounding region.

What will the winner receive?

The amateur who defeats the required opponents and wins the competition will have the chance to claim £501,000.

The prize directly reflects the game format, which is based on a single leg of 501. The programme will therefore combine the traditional scoring structure of darts with a high-value prize and a live head-to-head challenge involving Littler.

Taylor described the opportunity to face Littler and compete for the prize as a major motivation for the amateur players.

In comments attributed to Taylor by Prolific North, he said: “The opportunity to face Luke and play for £501,000 is a massive motivation and is clearly bringing the best out in people.”

The structure of the programme is intended to create a sharp contrast between the experience of the amateur contestants and Littler’s status as the world number one. The competitors will be required to perform in a high-pressure environment, in front of a live audience and for a substantial financial reward.

The report does not set out any additional rules governing the prize, including whether the money will be awarded in full after the final leg or whether other conditions will apply. Those details may be clarified by Netflix, Workerbee or the PDC ahead of the broadcast.

What did Phil Taylor say about Luke Littler’s challenge?

Taylor said Littler would need to perform at his highest level when the event takes place at Manchester Central.

As reported by Prolific North, Taylor said there was “no doubt” Littler would need to bring his best darts because one of the amateurs could potentially secure “the victory of a lifetime”.

Taylor said:

“There is no doubt Luke will have to bring his best darts to Manchester Central on October 30 or one of these amateurs could be celebrating the victory of a lifetime.”

He also described the planned programme as a major spectacle and linked the event to the growing popularity of darts.

Taylor said: “Darts has never been more popular but Luke and Netflix are taking things to the next level with this event.”

His comments underline the central selling point of the broadcast: Littler’s established position at the top of the sport against amateur players who will be given a rare opportunity to compete against him in a live Netflix production.

Who will host the Netflix darts special?

Gary Lineker will host Beat Luke Littler, while Richard Osman will provide expert analysis.

Lineker is listed as the programme’s presenter, and Osman will join the broadcast in an analytical role. The announcement does not provide further details about the format of the analysis or whether additional guests will appear during the live special.

The involvement of Lineker and Osman gives the event a wider television profile beyond the established darts audience. Their roles also reflect Netflix’s attempt to present the programme as a mainstream live entertainment event rather than solely as a conventional darts match.

The broadcast will be available on Netflix on October 30, although the available report does not state the exact start time or whether viewers will need a particular subscription package beyond access to the streaming service.

Who is producing Beat Luke Littler?

Workerbee is producing the programme in partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation.

Workerbee is part of Banijay UK, while the PDC is the governing organisation and commercial promoter associated with professional darts. Their partnership brings together a television production company and the sport’s established professional organisation.

Workerbee will also be involved in the candidate interview stage, meaning the company has a role in both selecting the amateur players and producing the final programme.

The partnership with the PDC is expected to support the darts-related structure of the event, while Netflix will provide the live streaming platform and international entertainment distribution associated with the special.

Why is Manchester important to the event?

Manchester’s selection gives the city a prominent role in a live programme linked to one of the fastest-growing names in darts.

Manchester Central Convention Complex will serve as the broadcast location, bringing the event to one of the city’s established large-scale venues. The location also follows the London audition, creating a two-city selection process before the final 20 contestants are chosen.

The announcement does not confirm whether any Manchester-based player has already secured a place in the final line-up. It only confirms that a Manchester heat will take place as part of the selection process.

The city’s involvement may nevertheless increase local interest in the auditions and encourage amateur players from Greater Manchester and nearby areas to apply or attend, subject to the eligibility and registration conditions set by the organisers.

What has Netflix announced about its wider content plans?

The report also referred to a wider Netflix regional slate involving Kate Winslet, Roald Dahl and Luke Littler.

The mention formed part of broader coverage of Netflix’s regional programming announcements, with Beat Luke Littler included among the projects associated with the platform’s UK content plans.

The available report does not provide full details of the other projects in that slate. It does, however, place the darts special within Netflix’s wider efforts to develop UK-based programming featuring recognised public figures and locally produced entertainment.

The Manchester event therefore represents both a sports broadcast and part of a broader streaming strategy involving UK talent, production companies and regional locations.

When will Beat Luke Littler be streamed?

Netflix will stream Beat Luke Littler live on October 30, 2026.

The broadcast will come from Manchester Central Convention Complex, although the exact transmission time has not been announced in the available coverage.

The programme is expected to centre on the one-off 501 format, with 20 amateur players competing for the opportunity to beat Littler and win £501,000. Further information about the running order, contestant line-up, audience arrangements and broadcast schedule has not yet been provided.

Netflix, Workerbee and the PDC may release additional details before the event, including information about the selected players and the final rules governing the contest.

Background to Netflix’s Beat Luke Littler development

Luke Littler has become one of the most recognisable figures in professional darts, and his status as the world number one is central to the concept of the Netflix special. Rather than placing him in a standard professional tournament, the programme will present him against amateur players selected through public auditions.

The planned format uses one leg of 501, a familiar darts structure, but raises the stakes through the live broadcast and £501,000 prize. The format also allows the programme to present the possibility of an upset in a short, easily understood contest.

The Manchester announcement follows the London audition, where thousands of hopefuls reportedly attempted to enter the programme. The selection process will narrow those applicants to 20 competitors through a darts challenge, a producer interview and a final assessment involving Barry Hearn, Phil Taylor and Laura Turner.

The special is being produced by Workerbee, part of Banijay UK, in partnership with the PDC. Gary Lineker will host and Richard Osman will provide expert analysis. Netflix will stream the programme live on October 30, 2026.

How could Beat Luke Littler affect darts fans?

For darts fans, the event could provide a different type of live competition from a conventional professional tournament. Viewers will see Littler compete against amateur players who have earned their places through an open selection process rather than through rankings or a professional qualifying route.

The £501,000 prize may also increase attention from casual viewers who do not usually follow darts. The presence of Gary Lineker and Richard Osman could broaden the programme’s appeal, while the involvement of Taylor and other established darts figures connects the event to the sport’s traditional audience.

The effect on local audiences will depend partly on the final selection of contestants and the level of public access to the Manchester event. At present, the confirmed details show that Manchester will host the live broadcast and a regional audition, but they do not confirm local ticketing arrangements or the identities of the 20 amateurs.

For aspiring amateur players, the programme creates a high-profile route to compete against Littler, although entry remains subject to the organisers’ selection process. The event is likely to attract significant interest because it combines an accessible darts format, a major prize and a live appearance by the world number one.