Darts

Joe Cullen throws during his 10-5 defeat to Nathan Aspinall in the opening round of the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Littler breaks records at World Matchplay as Bradford ace Cullen loses fine game

Joe Cullen has had success over the years, but this was only the third nine-dart finish of his whole career.

Joe Cullen has had success over the years, but this was only the third nine-dart finish of his whole career.

WATCH: Bradford darts ace delivers magical moment as he hits amazing nine-darter

Joe Cullen would have fancied his chances at the last Players Championship event after beating Chris Dobey to make the quarter-finals, but his run was halted by an unlikely opponent.

Joe Cullen would have fancied his chances at the last Players Championship event after beating Chris Dobey to make the quarter-finals, but his run was halted by an unlikely opponent.

Teen talent stuns Cullen after Dobey win gets Bradford ace dreaming of glory

Darts is getting a fresh new twist with a wild event coming to Leeds Royal Armouries as part of a UK tour

Darts is getting a fresh new twist with a wild event coming to Leeds Royal Armouries as part of a UK tour

Big Shot Darts tour heading to Leeds with bingo and dance-offs

Joe Cullen played his part in a fine game on the European stage last weekend.

Joe Cullen played his part in a fine game on the European stage last weekend.

Cullen close with quarter-final after amazing Austrian battle

Joe Cullen showed some good form in Germany earlier this week, which he will now hope to take on to Austria.

Joe Cullen showed some good form in Germany earlier this week, which he will now hope to take on to Austria.

Bradford ace Cullen claims confidence from Germany ahead of Austria showdown

Joe Cullen (r) beat Wessel Nijman at the 2025 Worlds, but the Dutchman won last week.

Joe Cullen (r) beat Wessel Nijman at the 2025 Worlds, but the Dutchman won last week.

Cullen makes maiden final of 2026 before Hungarian humiliation in Germany

Joe Cullen's numbers were high, but he could not get over the line in Belgium.

Joe Cullen's numbers were high, but he could not get over the line in Belgium.

Numbers game sound for Cullen but underdog Belgian secures stunning win

Joe Cullen has had many good battles with Gerwyn Price down the years, but this was not one of them, as the Bradford thrower faded after a solid start.

Joe Cullen has had many good battles with Gerwyn Price down the years, but this was not one of them, as the Bradford thrower faded after a solid start.

German grilling for Cullen against Price after bright start by Bradfordian

Luke Littler celebrates winning

Luke Littler celebrates winning

Two Bradford pubs to host Premier League Darts broadcasts

Joe Cullen (left) had a decent Tuesday after returning from Poland, reaching the Players Championship 5 semi-finals before losing to Chris Dobey (right).

Joe Cullen (left) had a decent Tuesday after returning from Poland, reaching the Players Championship 5 semi-finals before losing to Chris Dobey (right).

Cullen produces flashes of best in Poland before reaching Leicester semi-final

Mensur Suljovic celebrates beating Joe Cullen in the second round of the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace in December.

Mensur Suljovic celebrates beating Joe Cullen in the second round of the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace in December.

Bradford ace Cullen makes peace with Suljovic in Germany after huge 'cheat' row

Joe Cullen celebrates winning the World Masters in January 2022.

Joe Cullen celebrates winning the World Masters in January 2022.

Cullen misses first Masters since 2018 just four years on from greatest night

Pub darts teams across Yorkshire are invited to enter the Cool Hand Cup, a national competition by Marston’s offering a £10,000 prize and the chance to play 501 darts against champion Luke Humphries

Pub darts teams across Yorkshire are invited to enter the Cool Hand Cup, a national competition by Marston’s offering a £10,000 prize and the chance to play 501 darts against champion Luke Humphries

Yorkshire pub darts teams can win £10k and face champion Luke Humphries

Joe Cullen roars in delight as he lifts the trophy after beating Dave Chisnall in 2022

Joe Cullen roars in delight as he lifts the trophy after beating Dave Chisnall in 2022

Former Bradford champion Cullen forced into World Masters qualifiers

Joe Cullen (left) was furious with Mensur Suljovic (right) after their match last week, while the Austrian has since been knocked out by Luke Littler, who has now courted controversy of his own.

Joe Cullen (left) was furious with Mensur Suljovic (right) after their match last week, while the Austrian has since been knocked out by Luke Littler, who has now courted controversy of his own.

Cullen controversy baton passed to Littler as darts legend backs Bradford ace

Joe Cullen had his chances and blew them against Mensur Suljovic, somehow losing the third set despite having the darts to win it in a whitewash.

Joe Cullen had his chances and blew them against Mensur Suljovic, somehow losing the third set despite having the darts to win it in a whitewash.

Cullen stands by "cheat" claim but admits to T&A he suffered headloss at Worlds

Joe Cullen missed this crucial dart in the fourth set at D9, which essentially gifted Mensur Suljovic victory.

Joe Cullen missed this crucial dart in the fourth set at D9, which essentially gifted Mensur Suljovic victory.

REPORT: Cullen collapses at Worlds as he blows up after lightning start

Joe Cullen (left) was less than impressed with Mensur Suljovic (right) this afternoon, unhappy with the Austrian's conduct throughout the match.

Joe Cullen (left) was less than impressed with Mensur Suljovic (right) this afternoon, unhappy with the Austrian's conduct throughout the match.

Cullen loses fiery World Championship clash and claims Suljovic CHEATED

Joe Cullen is in good spirits at the Worlds this year, but he faces an awkward task in his last-64 match tomorrow.

Joe Cullen is in good spirits at the Worlds this year, but he faces an awkward task in his last-64 match tomorrow.

'It'd be easier if I disliked him': Cullen and Suljovic style clash at Worlds

Bradley Brooks was the favourite to win this game, but Joe Cullen showed him who was boss, giving up just two legs on his way to a dominant 3-0 victory.

Bradley Brooks was the favourite to win this game, but Joe Cullen showed him who was boss, giving up just two legs on his way to a dominant 3-0 victory.

Cullen batters Brooks before Bradford star bashes bookmakers at Worlds

Joe Cullen came from 3-0 down to level this second-round match against a stunned Gerwyn Price last December at the Worlds, but the Welshman fought back to claim a thrilling victory.

Joe Cullen came from 3-0 down to level this second-round match against a stunned Gerwyn Price last December at the Worlds, but the Welshman fought back to claim a thrilling victory.

Cullen knows he needs A-game at Worlds as Brooks or Greaves "hardest draw"

Joe Cullen cut a desolate figure on stage at the Winter Gardens earlier this year, thrashed in the opening round of the World Matchplay by a rampant James Wade.

Joe Cullen cut a desolate figure on stage at the Winter Gardens earlier this year, thrashed in the opening round of the World Matchplay by a rampant James Wade.

Bradford ace says he would be top five player but "motivation went 10 years ago"

Joe Cullen (right) beat Wessel Nijman (left) at last year's World Championship before losing a thriller to Gerwyn Price.

Joe Cullen (right) beat Wessel Nijman (left) at last year's World Championship before losing a thriller to Gerwyn Price.

Bradford thrower Cullen gets former World Youth Champion for Ally Pally opener

Joe Cullen (right) has his work cut out to try and beat Peter Wright (left) later this month.

Joe Cullen (right) has his work cut out to try and beat Peter Wright (left) later this month.

Cullen finishes up high but Bradford ace faces Wright challenge at finals

Joe Cullen has suffered some chastening defeats this season, like this mauling at the hands of Gary Anderson at the World Grand Prix in Leicester.

Joe Cullen has suffered some chastening defeats this season, like this mauling at the hands of Gary Anderson at the World Grand Prix in Leicester.

Wyke native Cullen "own worst enemy" as he misses European Championship

Joe Cullen had little to shout about on Wednesday night, dumped out of the World Grand Prix in emphatic fashion by Gary Anderson.

Joe Cullen had little to shout about on Wednesday night, dumped out of the World Grand Prix in emphatic fashion by Gary Anderson.

Wyke thrower Cullen collapses to awful Anderson defeat in last-16 of major

James Wade could do little to stop Joe Cullen in the opening set, with the Bradford man going on to record a 2-0 victory.

James Wade could do little to stop Joe Cullen in the opening set, with the Bradford man going on to record a 2-0 victory.

Cullen class at World Grand Prix as Wyke ace stuns red-hot Wade

Joe Cullen was quickly brought back down to earth by Luke Littler after a thrilling win over Lukas Wenig.

Joe Cullen was quickly brought back down to earth by Luke Littler after a thrilling win over Lukas Wenig.

No repeat of Hungary heroics for Cullen as epic win followed by Littler lesson

Joe Cullen fell to a heavy opening round defeat in Amsterdam. Pic: PDC

Joe Cullen fell to a heavy opening round defeat in Amsterdam. Pic: PDC

Bradford thrower Cullen falls to heavy opening round defeat in Amsterdam

Joe Cullen has the game to win tournaments for fun but, until Wednesday, he had not been anywhere near his best for months.

Joe Cullen has the game to win tournaments for fun but, until Wednesday, he had not been anywhere near his best for months.

"Enigmatic" Wyke ace Cullen ecstatic with superb title but concedes he got lazy

Joe Cullen threw away victory against Niko Springer at the Czech Darts Open on Friday night.

Joe Cullen threw away victory against Niko Springer at the Czech Darts Open on Friday night.

Bradford darts star Cullen left without Springer in step after Prague collapse

Joe Cullen made a great start in Belgium, but Stephen Bunting was just too good in the Bradford ace's last-32 clash.

Joe Cullen made a great start in Belgium, but Stephen Bunting was just too good in the Bradford ace's last-32 clash.

Cullen flounders in Flanders against brilliant Bunting but Littler triumphs

Joe Cullen pulled some form out of the bag when it mattered on Wednesday, reaching the World Series of Darts as a result.

Joe Cullen pulled some form out of the bag when it mattered on Wednesday, reaching the World Series of Darts as a result.

Cullen comes good under pressure to reach World Series darts finals in Amsterdam

Joe Cullen knows he has work to do during this break in the darting calendar.

Joe Cullen knows he has work to do during this break in the darting calendar.

Cullen "absolutely gifting games away" as strong start in Germany fades

Joe Cullen had a tough night under the lights at the Winter Gardens, as he made an early exit from the Betfred World Matchplay.

Joe Cullen had a tough night under the lights at the Winter Gardens, as he made an early exit from the Betfred World Matchplay.

Cullen crushed by red-hot 'Machine' as World Matchplay hopes end immediately

Joe Cullen entertained the crowd at last year's World Matchplay, and he is heading back to Blackpool for a 10th consecutive year.

Joe Cullen entertained the crowd at last year's World Matchplay, and he is heading back to Blackpool for a 10th consecutive year.

Cullen completes job as he sneaks into World Matchplay with three wins

Chris Dobey (right) won PC17 on Tuesday after an epic final against Dirk van Duijvenbode, but Joe Cullen (left) did not enjoy his week in Leicester.

Chris Dobey (right) won PC17 on Tuesday after an epic final against Dirk van Duijvenbode, but Joe Cullen (left) did not enjoy his week in Leicester.

Bradford ace Cullen toils in Leicester to leave World Matchplay hopes in doubt

Joe Cullen fell to a first round defeat in Leverkusen. Photo credit: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

Joe Cullen fell to a first round defeat in Leverkusen. Photo credit: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

Young talent edges Bradford's Cullen in Leverkusen thriller

Joe Cullen could not quite believe what he was seeing, as his finishing ability almost completely deserted him last Friday.

Joe Cullen could not quite believe what he was seeing, as his finishing ability almost completely deserted him last Friday.

Double trouble for Cullen as he suffers Dutch disaster against Meikle

Bobby Haste (left) after signing with Mission Darts. Pic: Mission Darts

Bobby Haste (left) after signing with Mission Darts. Pic: Mission Darts

Young darts player takes huge step forward in potentially promising career

Dartboard Maths, which was founded and created by professional darts player Devon Petersen (left), will be introduced into Bradford schools through a collaboration with Bradford City FC Community Foundation (whose Oliver Read is pictured right)

Dartboard Maths, which was founded and created by professional darts player Devon Petersen (left), will be introduced into Bradford schools through a collaboration with Bradford City FC Community Foundation (whose Oliver Read is pictured right)

Dartboard Maths: educational resource to be introduced in schools

Joe Cullen's most famous victory came over Dave Chisnall, as he won the Masters title three years ago, but the St Helens native was too good for his old adversary on Monday, winning the pair's last-16 game 6-2.

Joe Cullen's most famous victory came over Dave Chisnall, as he won the Masters title three years ago, but the St Helens native was too good for his old adversary on Monday, winning the pair's last-16 game 6-2.

Cullen claims haul of wins in Germany ahead of Dutch darts tournament

Darts can be a cruel game, and all it took was one bad leg in the whole tournament to send Joe Cullen tumbling out of the European Darts Grand Prix at the hands of James Wade.

Darts can be a cruel game, and all it took was one bad leg in the whole tournament to send Joe Cullen tumbling out of the European Darts Grand Prix at the hands of James Wade.

Cullen crushes hometown hero before tiny slip-up costs him in Germany

Joe Cullen won 6-2 against Thibault Tricole at the Austrian Darts Open, but both players were left bewildered after a crazy sixth leg.

Joe Cullen won 6-2 against Thibault Tricole at the Austrian Darts Open, but both players were left bewildered after a crazy sixth leg.

High farce in Austria as Bradford thrower Cullen claims FORTY-dart leg in win

Joe Cullen looked in decent touch against both Mickey Mansell and Luke Littler over the Easter Weekend.

Joe Cullen looked in decent touch against both Mickey Mansell and Luke Littler over the Easter Weekend.

Cullen makes mark in Munich before teen sensation Littler ends tournament hopes

Joe Cullen has endured a frustrating past seven day. Photo credit: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

Joe Cullen has endured a frustrating past seven day. Photo credit: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

Frustrating week for Cullen results in early exits in two tournaments

Joe Cullen produced some decent performances in Leicester earlier this week, but he only won one of his three matches there.

Joe Cullen produced some decent performances in Leicester earlier this week, but he only won one of his three matches there.

Cullen fails to repeat Leicester triumph ahead of Germany visit

Joe Cullen suffered a difficult week in Germany, so soon after the highs of Leicester.

Joe Cullen suffered a difficult week in Germany, so soon after the highs of Leicester.

Ghastly week in Germany for Cullen sums up highs and lows of darts

Joe Cullen stunned Luke Humphries in Leicester, before winning the final against Gian van Veen with an astonishing comeback.

Joe Cullen stunned Luke Humphries in Leicester, before winning the final against Gian van Veen with an astonishing comeback.

Bradford native Cullen claims first PDC title since 2022 after astonishing final

A frustrated Joe Cullen shakes hands with the match referee after his defeat last Friday.

A frustrated Joe Cullen shakes hands with the match referee after his defeat last Friday.

Cullen cannot make Pole pay as UK Open continues to trouble Wyke thrower

Joe Cullen (right) may have lost to Luke Humphries at the Winmau World Masters last month, but there were reasons to be positive, as he showed glimpses of his best.

Joe Cullen (right) may have lost to Luke Humphries at the Winmau World Masters last month, but there were reasons to be positive, as he showed glimpses of his best.

Bradford thrower hopes luck turns in "FA Cup of Darts" as form coming back

Joe Cullen was all over the place with his doubles in the Netherlands this week, which meant he made an early exit from both Players Championship events.

Joe Cullen was all over the place with his doubles in the Netherlands this week, which meant he made an early exit from both Players Championship events.

Double Dutch disaster for Bradford thrower Cullen as he makes early exits

Joe Cullen and Luke Humphries played out a sensational semi on Monday, which the former won, only to lose the final to Rob Cross.

Joe Cullen and Luke Humphries played out a sensational semi on Monday, which the former won, only to lose the final to Rob Cross.

Cullen superb in beating Littler and Humphries only to fall short in Wigan final