Short answer: Josh "Rocky" Rock is a 25-year-old darts player from Broughshane in Northern Ireland, currently ranked number 8 on the PDC Order of Merit. He won the PDC World Youth Championship in 2022, the PDC World Cup of Darts in 2025 with Daryl Gurney, and threw a legendary nine-darter on his Premier League debut in Belfast in February 2026. Rock plays with the Target Josh Rock G1 steel tip darts at 24 grams.
Few players have risen as fast in recent years as Josh Rock. In four years he went from Q-School entrant to the top 10 in the world, and many (including Luke Littler himself) see him as one of the two players who will dominate darts in the years ahead.
This article covers his career, biggest achievements, playing style, setup, and the most common questions about the Northern Irishman.
Joshua Rock was born on 13 April 2001 in Broughshane, a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He started playing darts in local pub leagues at the age of ten, inspired by his father. Multiple world champion Gary Anderson was his childhood hero.
During the Covid lockdowns Rock practiced seven to eight hours a day. That intensity explains the explosive start to his professional career. In September 2024 he became a father: he has a daughter with his partner Sarah.
His nickname "Rocky" refers to both his surname and his aggressive, knockout playing style, a nod to boxing legend Rocky Balboa. His walk-on song is "Welcome To The Party" by DJ Krissy, an uptempo dance track that perfectly matches his explosive style.
Rock earned his PDC Tour Card in January 2022 through Q-School. In his first season he dominated the Development Tour with five titles. His real breakthrough came in November 2022 at the Grand Slam of Darts: in his last 16 match against Michael van Gerwen he threw a televised nine-darter. He eventually lost the match 10-8, but the moment made him instantly famous.
Two weeks later he won the PDC World Youth Championship with a record average of 104.13 in the final against Nathan Girvan. That record still stands today.
Rock made his Premier League Darts debut on 5 January 2026. On week 4, on 26 February 2026, he played in his home country at the SSE Arena in Belfast against Gian van Veen. He was trailing 5-1 and playing below his level, but in the seventh leg he produced a perfect nine-darter (180, 180, 141 via double 12).
It was the 20th nine-darter in Premier League history. The prize: a set of 18-carat solid gold darts worth £30,000, sponsored by BetMGM.
Rock still lost the match 6-2, but the moment went down in history. Fans on social media called it "the best nine-darter ever", mainly because of the explosive reaction from the home crowd. Rock himself said: "I honestly don't care if I never hit a nine-darter in my life again. To have it in Belfast has just made my life a dream come true."
Rock has five PDC ranking titles to his name. His main achievements:
• 2022 - PDC World Youth Champion with a record final average of 104.13
• 2022 (November) - First televised nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam of Darts
• 2024 - Dutch Darts Championship, his first European Tour title
• 2025 - PDC World Cup of Darts with Daryl Gurney, Northern Ireland's first ever title (9 maximums in the final, a record)
• 2026 - Nine-darter on his Premier League debut in Belfast
• 2026 - Austrian Darts Open winner (8-6 over Kevin Doets in Graz, May 2026)
Rock is known for his fast rhythm and heavy scoring. His highest average ever at a PDC tournament is 121.88 (Players Championship 22 in Barnsley, 2022). On majors he peaked at 112.27 (Players Championship Finals 2023). His throw is right-handed and compact, with little wasted motion. At the 2026 World Championship he averaged 101.32 against Joe Comito.
Since January 2025 Rock plays with the Target Josh Rock Gen 1 steel tip darts at 24 grams, made of 90% tungsten with a straight barrel and a precision-milled dynamic cell grip in blue and gold. His full setup:
• Points: Target Swiss Storm Nano Points, 26mm, gold
• Shafts: Target Pro Grip TAG shafts
• Flights: Target Josh Rock K-Flex No.2 in signature blue and gold
Before signing with Target, Rock played Mission Darts. A Limited Edition variant with 95% tungsten and gold-coated barrels is also available for collectors.
Rock reached a peak ranking of number 7 in the world in 2026. When he signed with Target he stated the ambition to "dominate the sport for years" together with Luke Littler. The numbers back it up: five ranking titles by age 25, a World Cup win, a Premier League debut with a nine-darter, and on 10 May 2026 his second European Tour title secured. What's still missing from his CV is a TV major and, of course, a World Championship title.
Josh Rock is 25 years old. He was born on 13 April 2001 and lives in Broughshane, Northern Ireland.
Rock reached his career-high position on the PDC Order of Merit in 2026: number 7. He is currently ranked number 8.
Rock has nine recorded nine-darters, including two on television: against Michael van Gerwen at the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts and against Gian van Veen at the 2026 Premier League in Belfast.
Rock walks on to "Welcome To The Party" by DJ Krissy, an uptempo dance track.
Yes. Rock has a partner named Sarah and a daughter, born in September 2024.
