Broadcaster Gary Lineker expects to feel the exact same adrenaline rush hosting tomorrow's live Luke Littler Netflix event as he experienced when presenting an FA Cup or World Cup final for the BBC.
The 65-year-old former Tottenham and Barcelona striker will anchor Friday night's Beat Luke Littler challenge, where 20 part-timers will face the world number one in a single leg of darts. Any amateur who defeats Littler in this single-leg shootout will walk away with £501,000, bringing an immediate end to the stunt.
Lineker departed the BBC in May 2025 after years of fronting major television moments in football. He stated that almost all of his broadcasting career has been live, creating a genuine thrill whether covering an England fixture at Wembley, an FA Cup final, or the World Cup.
He noted that he has never attended a darts tournament before, but finds them lively and fun. Lineker praised the format for its immediate tension, comparing the stakes to 501,000 times the pressure of a standard professional match. He also mentioned that amateurs rarely grasp the high standard of Premier League or Championship players, making this format special because fans can actually challenge a world champion.
While darts currently relies heavily on the 19-year-old mainstream star to drive headlines, Lineker believes football could adopt a similar concept, potentially featuring new Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane in a penalty shootout against amateurs.
Reflecting on his own sporting background, Lineker scored 48 goals in 80 England appearances, won the 1986 World Cup Golden Boot, and was twice named FWA Footballer of the Year. He also won the 1988 Copa del Rey and the 1989 European Cup-Winners' Cup with Barcelona, alongside winning the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991. Additionally, Lineker joked about his undefeated record against Littler after beating him at speed darts during the summer.
Lineker described Littler as a kind teenager who introduced him to the sport, praising the event as a clever concept filled with potential drama. Although the participating amateurs are skilled, he warned that the pressure will be immense and Littler is fiercely competitive.
