The excitement is building in the world of darts as the 2026 BetMGM Premier League season gears up for its explosive start. This prestigious tournament, featuring the cream of the crop in professional darts, promises another year of high-stakes drama, nail-biting finishes, and unforgettable moments under the bright lights. With a lineup boasting a combined ten Premier League titles and seven PDC World Championship crowns, the stage is set for intense rivalries and emerging talents to shine. Defending champion Luke Humphries, who clinched the 2025 title with an 11-8 victory over teenage sensation Luke Littler in a thrilling final, will be looking to hold onto his crown amid fierce competition. Newcomers like Gian van Veen, fresh off his runner-up finish in the recent World Darts Championship, and Josh Rock are making their debuts, adding fresh energy to the mix. Meanwhile, veterans such as Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, and Jonny Clayton—the 2021 champion returning to the fold—ensure a blend of experience and firepower.
The opener kicks off on Thursday, February 5, at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, a venue known for its electric atmosphere and passionate crowds. This marks the beginning of a 17-week journey across the UK and Europe, where eight elite players will battle it out in a round-robin format. Each league night features quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, all played in best-of-11-leg matches. Points are awarded with five going to the nightly winner, three to the runner-up, and two each to the semi-finalists, culminating in a league table that determines the top four qualifiers for Finals Night. A £10,000 bonus awaits the victor of each evening’s action, heightening the incentive for every throw.
On this opening night, fans are in for a treat with matchups that echo recent epics and set the tone for the season. The quarter-finals lineup includes Josh Rock facing Jonny Clayton, a clash pitting debutant flair against seasoned Welsh grit. Then comes the highly anticipated showdown between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen, a rematch of the World Championship final that had the darts world on the edge of its seat. Defending champ Luke Humphries takes on Gerwyn Price, a battle of powerhouses with Humphries aiming to assert his dominance early. Rounding out the card is Stephen Bunting versus Michael van Gerwen, where Bunting’s precision meets van Gerwen’s relentless aggression—the perfect opener to get the night underway.
What better way to kick off the new BetMGM Premier League Darts campaign than with the two World Championship finalists, Luke Littler and Gian van Veen, going head-to-head in Newcastle? Littler is the 4/5 pre-tournament favourite and is fancied to get past his Dutch opponent on Night One at 4/9, while he’s 13/8 to win the opening night overall. But given the quality we’ve got on show this year, with ten Premier League titles and seven PDC World Championship titles between the eight players, it’s hard to rule out any of them if they’re on song.
As the season unfolds, the action moves across borders and iconic arenas. Night Two on February 12 heads to the AFAS Dome in Antwerp, Belgium, where Littler rematches Humphries in a repeat of last year’s Premier League final, alongside van Gerwen versus Rock, Clayton against Bunting, and Price facing van Veen. Glasgow’s OVO Hydro hosts Night Three on February 19, featuring Bunting v van Veen, Humphries v Rock, van Gerwen v Littler—a nod to past World Championship clashes—and Clayton v Price.
The tour continues to Belfast’s SSE Arena on February 26 for Night Four: Littler v Clayton, Bunting v Humphries, van Gerwen v Price, and van Veen v Rock. March brings Night Five to Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on the 5th, with van Gerwen v Humphries, van Veen v Clayton, Price v Bunting, and Littler v Rock. Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on March 12 sees Rock v Bunting, Clayton v van Gerwen, Humphries v van Veen, and Price v Littler.
Dublin’s 3Arena lights up on March 19 for Night Seven: van Veen v van Gerwen, Bunting v Littler, Rock v Price, and Clayton v Humphries. Berlin’s Uber Arena on March 26 marks Night Eight, with quarter-finals drawn based on the league standings after Night Seven—1v8, 4v5, 2v7, and 3v6. Manchester’s AO Arena follows on April 2 for Night Nine: van Gerwen v Bunting, Price v Humphries, van Veen v Littler, and Clayton v Rock.
Brighton’s The Brighton Centre hosts Night Ten on April 9: Humphries v Clayton, Price v Rock, Littler v Bunting, and van Gerwen v van Veen. Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands takes Night 11 on April 16: Littler v Price, van Veen v Humphries, van Gerwen v Clayton, and Bunting v Rock. Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on April 23 features Night 12: van Veen v Price, Bunting v Clayton, Rock v van Gerwen, and Humphries v Littler.
Aberdeen’s P&J Live on April 30 brings Night 13: Rock v Littler, Bunting v Price, Clayton v van Veen, and Humphries v van Gerwen. Leeds’ First Direct Arena on May 7 hosts Night 14: Price v Clayton, Littler v van Gerwen, Rock v Humphries, and van Veen v Bunting. Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on May 14 sees Night 15: Rock v van Veen, Price v van Gerwen, Humphries v Bunting, and Clayton v Littler.
The penultimate Night 16 on May 21 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena again uses standings for matchups: 2v7, 3v6, 1v8, and 4v5. Finally, the climax arrives on May 28 at London’s The O2 for semi-finals and the grand final, where the top four will vie for the ultimate glory.
This year’s Premier League isn’t just about the darts—it’s about the stories. Will Littler, the prodigy who captivated the world, claim his first title? Can van Veen translate his World Championship form into league success? Humphries, with his smooth style and mental fortitude, remains a formidable force, while van Gerwen’s hunger for more silverware could see him reclaim past dominance. Rock’s raw power and Clayton’s consistency add unpredictability, making every night a potential upset. With international stops expanding the fanbase, the 2026 season is poised to elevate darts to new heights. Mark your calendars—Newcastle is where it all begins, and the road to London promises thrills at every turn.
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