**Nathan Aspinall Reveals Retirement Timeline and Reflects on Darts Future Amid Luke Littler Speculation**
Nathan Aspinall, one of the leading names on the darts circuit, has publicly outlined his plans for retirement, sending a clear message about his ambitions and the future he envisages for both himself and the sport. The 33-year-old player from Stockport, who is affectionately known amongst fans as ‘The Asp’, disclosed his retirement aspirations during a candid interview, shining light on the realities faced by professional players striving for success at the top level.
Aspinall, currently ranked ninth in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Order of Merit with almost half a million pounds in prize earnings over the last two years, has set his sights on bowing out at the age of 45. This would afford him just over a decade to achieve his remaining goals – both financial and sporting. He explained, “I’ve always said to my partner, 45 is the age when I’ll call it a day, unless of course circumstances change dramatically and I find myself with a fortune much sooner. But realistically, 45 is the plan.”
As he nears his 34th birthday this July, Aspinall is under no illusions about the competitive nature of the circuit or the pressure to secure both results and financial stability before leaving the spotlight. Despite having come tantalisingly close, he has never managed to clinch the most coveted of titles, the PDC World Championship, falling short in the semi-finals in both 2019 and 2020 at the hands of Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen.
Beyond his World Championship pursuits, Aspinall’s record remains illustrious. His resume boasts significant achievements, including memorable victories at some of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. In 2019, he stormed to an emphatic UK Open victory over Rob Cross, and in 2023, added the World Matchplay crown to his collection after a commanding win against Jonny Clayton. Furthermore, he has consistently featured in the finals of the Grand Slam of Darts, the World Grand Prix, and even reached the Premier League’s closing stages.
This week, Aspinall prepares for another crack at Premier League glory, scheduled to face off against world number one Luke Humphries in a highly anticipated semi-final at London’s O2 Arena. The victor of that clash will advance to face either Gerwyn Price or the sport’s new teenage sensation, Luke Littler, ensuring another headline-grabbing finale.
The backdrop to Aspinall’s latest bid for silverware is dominated by discussions about Littler’s own future. Earlier this year, Aspinall remarked that Littler, who recently became the youngest PDC World Champion at just 17, might retire within five years owing to his meteoric rise. Littler, however, was quick to refute such speculation. Responding to the comments, the young English star asserted, “I don’t know where he got that idea from – I’ll still be here in 10 years. Retirement isn’t on my mind, there’s still so much to play for.”
Littler, who is narrowly 18 and already defending his Premier League title, has displayed remarkable form this season. With 27 wins against just 10 losses, he enters Finals Night as both leader and reigning champion, targeting the top prize of £275,000.
For Aspinall and many of his contemporaries, the landscape of professional darts is evolving, with bigger rewards and greater visibility than ever before. Yet, as his comments reveal, the balancing act between rewarding careers and timely retirements remains a personal and often private matter for players at the elite level.
With both Littler and Aspinall set for key roles in Thursday’s Premier League semi-finals, all eyes will be on London’s O2 Arena to see whether Aspinall’s quest for one last major trophy continues, or if the new generation, led by Littler, will further cement their place at the top of the sport. The darts world will be watching closely as the stories of ambition, resilience and legacy continue to play out on the oche.