The 2025 Premier League Darts season concluded with a thrilling finale at London’s O2 Arena, where Luke Humphries edged out teenage sensation Luke Littler 11–8 to claim the coveted title. Yet, as the dust settles on another high-octane campaign, darts legend Phil Taylor, a six-time Premier League champion, has ignited a fervent debate by calling for a sweeping overhaul of the tournament’s format. His blunt assessment—“It needs revamping. A lot of the players are not enjoying it and you can tell”—echoes growing discontent among players and fans, casting a spotlight on the grueling structure of the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) flagship roadshow.
The Premier League, launched in 2005, has evolved from a modest seven-player event into a global spectacle featuring eight elite competitors battling across 16 weekly nights, culminating in a playoff among the top four. Each night unfolds in a knockout format, with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, a setup introduced in 2022 to inject excitement. However, this structure has drawn increasing criticism for its repetitive nature and relentless demands. Taylor, whose dominance in the early years included four consecutive titles from 2005 to 2008, argues that the current format is exhausting players. “It’s very tiring… I think they do need to look at it now,” he said, emphasizing the toll of the weekly grind on competitors.
Taylor’s sentiments are not isolated. Fans have voiced frustration over the predictability of matchups, particularly with Humphries and Littler frequently clashing due to their consistent excellence. “It was nice to see Luke and Luke play each other, but almost every week they’re playing each other,” Taylor noted, highlighting how the dominance of top players diminishes the event’s variety. Veteran player Steve Beaton has also labeled the format “boring,” while social media buzz reflects fan fatigue, with some calling the Premier League a “glorified promotional tool” rather than a true test of darting prowess. The repetitive nature of seeing the same players face off weekly has sapped the blockbuster appeal of these encounters, prompting calls for a fresher approach.
Despite the criticism, the 2025 season showcased exceptional talent. Humphries, who became the fourth player to complete darts’ Triple Crown—comprising the World Championship, World Matchplay, and Premier League—credited Taylor’s mentorship for his success. “I must say to Phil Taylor a big ‘thank you’ because he’s been giving me a lot of support the past few weeks,” Humphries said after his victory, revealing private advice that bolstered his mental resilience. Littler, the 2024 champion, also made history with a record 45 points in the league phase, while Gerwyn Price’s five nine-darters underscored the season’s high standards. Yet, even Humphries, a beneficiary of the current format, acknowledged the schedule’s intensity, having described darts as a “chore” earlier in the year due to its relentless pace.
Taylor, now 64 and retired from competitive play, remains a towering figure in darts, with 16 world championships and 87 major titles. His call for change carries weight, especially as he envisions a future where the sport continues to grow. He praised the PDC’s recent announcement of a £1 million first prize for the upcoming World Championship, predicting that promoter Barry Hearn could push it to £2 million. “Barry will keep pushing forward and he’ll get more and more youngsters practising,” Taylor said, optimistic about darts’ appeal to new talent. However, he believes the Premier League’s format must evolve to sustain player enthusiasm and fan engagement.
Proposed solutions include expanding the player field, introducing team-based elements akin to golf’s Ryder Cup, or reverting to a league-style format with varied matchups. Some fans advocate scrapping the Premier League entirely in favor of reinstating events like the Las Vegas Desert Classic. While Humphries defended the current setup, stating, “Why would I want to change it when I reached the final one year and won it the next?” the broader sentiment suggests a need for innovation as the tournament approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026.
As the darts community looks ahead to the World Cup in Frankfurt, where Humphries and Littler will team up for England, Taylor’s critique has sparked a crucial conversation. His storied career, marked by iconic moments like his two nine-darters in the 2010 Premier League final, lends authority to his plea for reform. Whether the PDC will heed his call remains uncertain, but with players’ enjoyment at stake and fans craving novelty, the Premier League’s future hangs in the balance, poised for a potential transformation to reclaim its spark.
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