HETA BACKS ROYAL RUMBLE FORMAT

DAMON HETA has backed a bold new Royal Rumble-style format that could shake up darts.

World No. 8 Heta is in favour of the concept, which would feature rapid-fire, one-leg shootouts in a winner-stays-on format.

Each time a player loses a leg, they’re eliminated — and immediately replaced by a mystery wildcard, only revealed when they make their walk-on.

The plan could see 30 players involved: the top 10 in the world, 10 qualifiers, and a final set of wildcards picked by the PDC and broadcasters.

But ‘The Heat’ warns the format won’t attract darts’ big names unless there’s good prize money to play for.

He told Sporting Life: “The Royal Rumble is a good idea but I just don’t think the players are gonna all come a far to play one leg unless you’re going to fork out good prize money.

“Just something to keep the players in and interested. I would play in it 100 percent.”

Australian thrower Heta believes players outside the top 16 PDC Order of Merit would relish the chance to feature in the tournament.

He added: “I think a lot of players below the top 16 would play in it.

“Some above it they might just see it as an exhibition thing that does not mean anything.”

Nine-time ProTour Event winner Heta insists the format needs serious incentives and rewards to bring in the sport’s elite.

He revealed: “If it has a meaning on it like a ranking thing or maybe you get a Grand Slam spot at the end of it or something like that then you’re going to have the top players rolling up to play in it.

“It could definitely work but it’s up to the PDC obviously what they do.”

Former World Cup winner Heta suggested the format should be trialed in amateur leagues or exhibition settings first.

He admitted: “Maybe some amateur leagues should test it out to see how it rolls out.

“Or exhibition wise see whether people roll up and are interested to see how it works.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.