The 2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts kicks off on Thursday 5 February, and this year’s edition promises to be one of the most exciting yet. World Champion Luke Littler headlines a star-studded eight-player field that includes two debutants, the return of a former champion, and enough storylines to keep fans gripped for the next four months.
Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament.
The Eight Players
The top four players on the PDC Order of Merit following the World Championship qualified automatically, with the remaining four selected as wildcards by the PDC.
Automatic Qualifiers
Luke Littler – World No. 1 The 18-year-old is the biggest draw in darts. After claiming his second consecutive World Championship title with a dominant 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen, Littler enters the Premier League as the overwhelming favourite. His 106.02 average in the final, along with 16 maximums and a 147 checkout to seal victory, underlined just how far ahead of the field he currently is.
Luke Humphries – World No. 2 The defending Premier League champion and 2024 World Champion will be determined to prove that his Premier League triumph was no fluke. Humphries’ consistency at the highest level makes him one of the few players capable of matching Littler over a prolonged campaign.
Gian van Veen – World No. 3 The breakthrough star of 2025. Van Veen’s run to the World Championship final saw him leap from outside the top 50 to world number three in just 18 months. The 23-year-old Dutchman has overtaken Michael van Gerwen as the Dutch number one and will make his Premier League debut full of confidence.
Michael van Gerwen – World No. 4 The three-time World Champion and seven-time Premier League winner may have slipped from his dominant peak, but writing off MVG is always a mistake. After back-to-back Premier League titles in 2022 and 2023, Van Gerwen will be desperate to reclaim the crown he lost to Humphries last year.
Wildcard Selections
Gerwyn Price – World No. 6 The 2021 World Champion endured a frustrating 2025 but remains one of the most competitive players on the circuit. Price’s fiery temperament and never-say-die attitude guarantee drama, and on his night he can beat anyone.
Jonny Clayton – World No. 5 The 2021 Premier League champion returns after a two-year absence. Clayton’s omission from recent editions felt strange given his consistent form, and his recall is richly deserved after reaching multiple televised finals and semi-finals throughout 2025.
Josh Rock – World No. 8 The first Northern Irish player in the Premier League since Daryl Gurney in 2020. Rock’s raw talent has been evident for years, but 2025 saw him break into the world’s top ten and lead Northern Ireland to their maiden World Cup of Darts victory. At 23, his best years are still ahead of him.
Stephen Bunting – World No. 7 The most controversial selection. Bunting endured a difficult 2025 Premier League, failing to win a single match in the opening eight weeks. However, six tournament victories throughout the year earned him another shot at redemption.
Full Schedule & Venues
The 2026 Premier League spans 17 nights across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. For the first time, Belgium joins the rotation with Antwerp hosting Night 2.
| Night | Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thursday 5 February | Newcastle | Utilita Arena |
| 2 | Thursday 12 February | Antwerp | AFAS Dome |
| 3 | Thursday 19 February | Glasgow | OVO Hydro |
| 4 | Thursday 26 February | Belfast | SSE Arena |
| 5 | Thursday 5 March | Cardiff | Utilita Arena |
| 6 | Thursday 12 March | Nottingham | Motorpoint Arena |
| 7 | Thursday 19 March | Dublin | 3Arena |
| 8 | Thursday 26 March | Berlin | Uber Arena |
| 9 | Thursday 2 April | Manchester | AO Arena |
| 10 | Thursday 9 April | Brighton | Brighton Centre |
| 11 | Thursday 16 April | Rotterdam | Rotterdam Ahoy |
| 12 | Thursday 23 April | Liverpool | M&S Bank Arena |
| 13 | Thursday 30 April | Aberdeen | P&J Live |
| 14 | Thursday 7 May | Leeds | First Direct Arena |
| 15 | Thursday 14 May | Birmingham | Utilita Arena |
| 16 | Thursday 21 May | Sheffield | Utilita Arena |
| Finals | Thursday 28 May | London | The O2 Arena |
How the Format Works
The Premier League format changed in 2024 and returns for 2026. Each Thursday night is a mini-knockout tournament featuring all eight players.
League Phase (Nights 1-16)
Every night follows the same structure:
- Quarter-Finals – Four matches, best of 11 legs
- Semi-Finals – Two matches, best of 11 legs
- Final – One match, best of 11 legs
Players are seeded based on their league position, with the top seed facing the eighth seed, second facing seventh, and so on. In the opening weeks before standings are established, seedings follow Order of Merit positions.
Points System:
- Night winner: 5 points
- Night runner-up: 3 points
- Losing semi-finalist: 2 points
- Losing quarter-finalist: 0 points
Players face each other twice during the league phase – once in Weeks 1-7 and again in Weeks 9-15. Week 8 and Week 16 feature matches determined by league position rather than a set fixture list.
Finals Night (Night 17)
The top four players in the league standings after Night 16 qualify for Finals Night at The O2 Arena in London.
- Semi-Finals – Best of 19 legs
- Final – Best of 21 legs (first to 11)
The winner is crowned Premier League champion.
Prize Money
The total prize fund for 2026 is £1,250,000, an increase from 2025. Here’s the breakdown:
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Champion | £350,000 |
| Runner-up | £170,000 |
| Semi-finalists | £110,000 each |
| 5th place | £95,000 |
| 6th place | £90,000 |
| 7th place | £85,000 |
| 8th place | £80,000 |
Additionally, each night’s winner receives a £10,000 bonus, meaning a dominant player could add up to £160,000 to their total earnings.
The champion’s prize of £350,000 represents a £75,000 increase from 2025, reflecting the tournament’s continued growth.
How to Watch
The Premier League Darts is broadcast live on Sky Sports every Thursday from 7pm. Coverage typically runs until around 10:30pm, depending on match lengths.
If you don’t have a Sky subscription, you can watch via NOW (formerly NOW TV) with a Sports Day Pass or Sports Membership. No contract is required.
For those in venues, most Thursday darts nights at pubs show the Premier League on their screens.
Key Storylines to Watch
Can Anyone Stop Littler?
Luke Littler’s form heading into 2026 is frightening. His dominant 7-1 World Championship final victory saw him average 106.02 with 16 maximums, and he enters the Premier League having won 11 of his last 12 televised matches. The question isn’t whether he’ll make Finals Night – it’s whether anyone can take a set off him.
The Two Lukes Rivalry
Littler and Humphries have developed one of darts’ great modern rivalries. Humphries won their Premier League final encounter in 2025, but Littler has had the edge in recent meetings. Expect fireworks whenever they meet.
Van Veen’s Debut
The Dutchman’s meteoric rise has been remarkable. Can he handle the pressure of a 17-week campaign, or will the relentless nature of the Premier League expose his relative inexperience? His quarter-final demolition of Luke Humphries at the World Championship suggests he’s ready for anything.
Clayton’s Return
Jonny Clayton returns for the first time since 2023 after missing the last two editions. The 2021 champion knows the format well, and his big-stage experience makes him a threat to anyone on his day. The Ferret loves an occasion.
Bunting’s Redemption
Stephen Bunting has a point to prove. After a dismal 2025 Premier League campaign, he’ll be determined to silence critics who questioned his wildcard selection. Early results will be telling.
Premier League Darts History
The Premier League has been running since 2005 and has grown into one of darts’ biggest events. Here are the most successful players in the tournament’s history:
| Player | Titles | Finals |
|---|---|---|
| Michael van Gerwen | 7 | 10 |
| Phil Taylor | 6 | 8 |
| Gary Anderson | 2 | 4 |
| Luke Littler | 1 | 2 |
| Luke Humphries | 1 | 2 |
| Jonny Clayton | 1 | 1 |
| Glen Durrant | 1 | 1 |
Van Gerwen’s dominance of the Premier League has been extraordinary – he won in 2013, claimed four consecutive titles from 2016-2019, then added two more in 2022 and 2023. However, Humphries ended his reign last year, and a new generation now commands the stage.
Predictions
Winner: Luke Littler It’s hard to look past the World Champion. Littler’s consistency, scoring power, and ability to produce his best under pressure make him the clear favourite. Anything other than victory would be a surprise.
Dark Horse: Gian van Veen The debutant has nothing to lose and all the talent in the world. If he can handle the weekly grind, he could challenge for a Finals Night spot.
One to Watch: Josh Rock Northern Ireland’s first Premier League player has the game to trouble anyone. His finishing can be erratic, but when he’s on, he’s box office.
Related Articles
- Premier League 2026 Lineup Revealed – Full breakdown of the wildcard selections and player reactions
- Luke Littler Retains World Title – How Littler claimed his second world title
- How to Play 501 Darts – Learn the rules of the game the pros play
- Darts Checkout Chart – Master the finishes the professionals use