Your Ultimate Guide To This Years’ instalment of the 2026 Darts Premier League

Another year of the PDC Premier League begins tomorrow with 17 action-packed weeks ahead of us.

Josh from Extra Time Media is here to give you a comprehensive run-down for what promises to be a thrilling, action-packed season of darts for the next four months.

We begin the first night in Newcastle tomorrow before finishing up the main season in Sheffield on May 21 – before finals night at the O2 in London. The same format as last season. Three huge changes to the line-up. Lots of talking points.

The eight players taking part in this years' premier league

Here are the 8 players who will feature in the tournament:

1: Luke Littler

The Nuke had a stellar 2025 with Tungsten in hand, adding more accolades to his ever-growing list of achievements in his professional darting career. Having won the Premier League at just 17 years of age in 2024, he will be eager to claim his Premier League title back after losing to his arch rival, Luke Humphries last year - an 11-8 loss in which was an incredible fixture. He also defended the coveted Sid Waddell trophy at the World Championships just one month ago – an incredible 7-1 victory against Gian van Veen at the Alexandra Palace in what was a phenomenal campaign for the now 19 year-old from Stoke-on-trent. He is deservingly hot favourite to claim back the title.

2: Luke Humphries

Cool Hand Luke will be eager for this year's PDC Premier League in attempting to defend it, although seven of the world's best players stand in his way. He picked up two majors last year, including winning the World Masters, an incredibly tough tournament to win. He defeated one of this years' premier league debutants in that tournament – Josh Rock – where he prevailed with an 8-5 victory in the final. His eyes will be on that prize to re-lift that trophy again this year.

Luke Humphries will endeavour to defend his Premier League title this year after his heroics in 2025

3: Gian van Veen

At just 23 years of age, the young Dutchman has shown the darting world that he can play against the world's best - highlighted by taking on Luke Littler on the biggest stage of all at Alexandra Palace. Despite the loss, he had an incredible year - securing his first maiden title when he won the European Championship in a tight tussle with Luke Humphries, which ended in an 11-10 scoreline in Gian's favour. He became the tournament's youngest winner, and he also retained his World Youth Championship title. If you didn't know already, he is certainly one to watch - now overtaking Michael van Gerwen as the Dutch number one.

4: Michael van Gerwen

Mighty Mike himself would have to agree that he had a challenging year in front of the television. We haven't seen his vintage form in a long while, and we question if we will ever revisit that unbeatable form he was once in. On a positive note, he won the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam in September and also won the German Darts Grand Prix, defeating fellow Dutchman in van Veen 8-5 in the final. He isn't an easy pushover by any means, of course, but you have a feeling that the first few nights could make or break his year in 2026 for the green machine.

Michael van Gerwen is in need of a big year on the oche

5: Jonny Clayton

The Ferret is back! Its been a few years between drinks for Clayton but he has deservedly returned to the premier league after a solid year on the circuit. He claimed victory at the Dutch Darts Championships, won titles on the European Tour, and was also solid on the pro tour. He came agonisingly close to another World Cup title alongside Gerwyn Price, although fell at the final hurdle against Northern Island's Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney in a last leg thriller - a match that will be revisited for years to come. He is a certainly a good chance to go deep in this tournament.

6: Gerwyn Price

Gezzy had another solid year in 2025, racking up a mix of accolades on the tour. He won the Poland Darts Masters in a dramatic last-leg decider against Stephen Bunting in Gliwice, the Baltic Sea Darts Open, won Players Championship events, and made deep runs in some big major tournaments - including narrowly lifting up the World Cup title with his partner in crime Clayton in Frankfurt. The Ice Man's game is in a strong stage at the moment, and he will no doubt give the competition a real shake-up. Price looks primed to make a deep run in this campaign and will have the fire in the belly to do so.

7: Josh Rock

The second debutant in this years' premier league and thoroughly deserving of his selection at just 24 years of age. One of my favourite players to date and continues to emerge as an incredible young talent. Rocky's first half of 2025 in particular was phenomenal, claiming his first PDC title of the year in PC10 in Leicester, and made multiple European Tour finals in 2025. He picked up the 2025 World Cup of Darts representing Northern Island alongside Gurney in a huge upset, the first ever title for the nation in the World Cup. He won't be phased by the crowds. If anything, it will fuel him in times of adversity on the board when it inevitably arises. He will push very hard for a top-four spot.

Rocky pumps himself up after a huge 180 in the final against Wales in the 2025 World Cup

8: Stephen Bunting

The name with the most controversy in the selection of this years' premier league lineup – and fair enough. He will be the first to say that he had a shocker of a campaign last year, finishing dead last at the conclusion of the 16 weeks. However, the PDC has gifted him a second chance, and he needs to take it with both hands. He still sits in the top echelon of players across the nation, with the Bullet sitting 7th in the world to date. He has shown he can win on the circuit, winning his first World Series title at the Bahrain Darts Masters - his first time competing on the World Series stage in 11 years. He claimed his second Euro Tour title, winning the Swiss Darts Trophy, with a convincing 8-3 over Luke Woodhouse. Ultimately, Mr Titanium needs to have a big year - and it needs to start now.

Who rejected an invitation?

Gary Anderson

The flying Scotsman sadly turned down the invitation from the PDC which was more than expected unfortunately - mostly due to the commitment and travel. Would've loved to see him play in the form he currently shows – his recent World Championship form highlights that.

Who missed out?

Nathan Aspinall

Mr Brightside was perhaps the most unlucky not to be selected. Completed a hat-trick on the European Tour, solid in Players Championship events, and constantly made solid runs in majors. A bit hard-done by if you ask me.

Danny Noppert

A guy who has been there or there abouts for a little while now. Had a decent year but nothing too crazy. His case for selection didn't help when he lost in the second round at the Worlds to Justin Hood, who had a phenomenal tournament. He whitewashed Bunting at the World Masters just last week, so, that's darts hey.

James Wade

Biggest achievement was winning the UK Open – but besides from that, a pretty lacklustre year.

The arrows are ready to fly for this year's action of the Premier League with total of €1,250,000 pounds on offer for the tournament. Game on!

Episode 46 of The 9-Dart Podcast is LIVE now via YouTube, Spotify, Itunes, or wherever you get your podcasts!