‘Biggest honour’ – World Darts Championship final making history with first openly gay referee for Littler vs Van Gerwen

HUW WARE is making history by becoming the first openly gay referee to officiate a World Darts Championship final.

The 31-year-old is taking charge of the second half of the final between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen tonight, assuming control from fellow referee Kirk Bevins.

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It means he will formally announce the new world champion on the Ally Pally stage.

And he discussed the honour of being involved in the sport‘s biggest match on his blog on Thursday.

Ware, who is one of few openly gay people involved in professional darts, said: “To be honest tomorrow will be the biggest day of my life.

“I’ve been with the PDC for eight years now and it will be one of the biggest honours of my life to take charge of the second half and call in the champion.”

He went on to add: “If I was to say anything to that, it would be that if there are gay boys or gay girls out there who are worried that their sexuality could close doors to worlds they would like to be in but no longer feel that they can, then that is not the case.

“These worlds, like the sports world, are open to everybody both gay and straight, and even if the journey can be hard sometimes, days like tomorrow make it so worth it.

“No matter who you are you can achieve in any world you want to, and most importantly, you can belong.”

Ware has been with the PDC for eight years and has been a regular referee at this year’s world championships.

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And the 2025 final promises to be one of the most-watched matches in the history of darts.

Teenage superstar Littler, 17, is bidding to go one step further than 12 months ago when he was beaten by Luke Humphries in the final.

Van Gerwen, 35, is seeking a fourth world title and first since 2019.