Sherrock pulls off stunning upset to claim Netflix darts prize

Sherrock's victory on Friday at Manchester Central marks a significant moment in professional darts, with the British player overcoming the highly favoured Littler in what observers have described as an unexpected result. The match was broadcast live as part of a Netflix darts special, bringing the sport to a worldwide audience beyond traditional darts viewership.

The prize purse of £501,000 (approximately $671,089) underscores the growing commercial investment in professional darts events, particularly through streaming platforms seeking to expand the sport's global reach. Netflix's venture into darts programming reflects broader efforts by major entertainment platforms to secure rights to niche sports with dedicated fan bases.

Littler, one of darts' rising talents, entered the match as a strong favourite, making Sherrock's performance all the more remarkable. The upset adds another chapter to Sherrock's career, which has already included several notable achievements in a sport traditionally dominated by male players.

The Manchester Central event represents part of a wider trend of major sports properties moving to streaming platforms, with darts joining other sports in seeking new audiences and revenue streams through digital distribution channels.