The fourth night of the Premier League Darts in Belfast delivered a thrilling spectacle, crowning a new champion for the fourth consecutive week. Stephen Bunting, who had yet to win a single match this season, produced a sensational performance to claim his maiden nightly victory, defeating Gian van Veen 6-2 in the final. Bunting’s path to glory saw him overcome tough opponents like Luke Humphries and Jonny Clayton. Meanwhile, Gian van Veen’s search for a first Premier League title continues, as he suffered his third final defeat. The night also saw an early exit for fan favorite Luke Littler and a nine-darter from Josh Rock, who still awaits his first league points.
Quarter-Finals: Upsets and Close Calls
The night kicked off with some high-stakes encounters:
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Jonny Clayton Stuns Luke Littler
The highly anticipated clash between Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton saw “The Nuke” struggle significantly. Littler’s usually reliable finishing faltered, with a **disappointing checkout percentage below 25%** leading to a 3-6 defeat. Clayton capitalized on Littler’s missed opportunities, securing the first three legs and hitting crucial finishes like **156 and 80**. Despite Littler finding some rhythm with two 14-darters, he continued to miss doubles, allowing Clayton to close out the match.
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Stephen Bunting Breaks His Duck Against Luke Humphries
In a match of exceptional quality, Stephen Bunting finally secured his first win of the season, overcoming reigning World Champion Luke Humphries 6-4. Bunting was in scintillating form, boasting an **average of almost 107** and a remarkable **75% checkout success rate**. While Humphries also played brilliantly, Bunting’s clutch finishing, including a **stunning 143 checkout in 12 darts**, proved decisive in a tightly contested affair.
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Gerwyn Price Edges Out Michael van Gerwen
A topsy-turvy battle saw Gerwyn Price stage a dramatic comeback against Michael van Gerwen, winning 6-5. Van Gerwen initially held a comfortable 5-3 lead, but missed doubles proved costly. Price, who found his stride after a slow start, capitalized on MvG’s errors, including a crucial **10-darter in the deciding leg** to snatch victory from the Dutchman.
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Gian van Veen Dominates Josh Rock Despite Nine-Darter
Gian van Veen put on a clinical display to defeat local hero Josh Rock 6-2, despite Rock producing the highlight of the night. After an even start, van Veen reeled off a series of impressive finishes – **109, 167, and 113** – to take control. Rock then brought the house down with a **sensational nine-darter**, including a 141 finish, but the momentum was short-lived as van Veen quickly closed out the match, leaving Rock still searching for his first points.
Semi-Finals: Bunting’s Dominance and Van Veen’s Fightback
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Bunting Blanks Clayton in Masterclass Performance
Stephen Bunting continued his incredible run with a **dominant 6-0 whitewash** over Jonny Clayton. Bunting maintained an **average of over 106**, while Clayton struggled to find his rhythm. Bunting secured early breaks with a **123 finish in 12 darts** and a **100 checkout**, cruising to a flawless victory and booking his spot in the final.
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Van Veen Survives Thriller Against Price
In a truly memorable semi-final, Gian van Veen battled back from a dreadful start to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-5. Van Veen missed a staggering **eight checkouts in the opening two legs**, allowing Price to take an early lead. However, “The Giant” showed immense resilience, producing a magnificent **160 finish** to get back into the match and eventually taking the lead. Price fought back valiantly, even missing a **match dart on the bullseye** in the deciding leg, before van Veen sealed his place in the final with a clinical double 16.
The Final: Bunting’s Moment of Glory
Stephen Bunting (97.15) 6-2 Gian van Veen (95.76)
The night culminated in a clash between two players with contrasting journeys to the final. **Stephen Bunting**, riding a wave of confidence, proved to be the more stable and clinical player, securing a **6-2 victory over Gian van Veen**. Bunting established an early lead with a **15-dart break** and a **106 finish**. Van Veen’s struggles with doubles resurfaced, allowing Bunting to extend his advantage. Despite a late surge from van Veen, “The Bullet” maintained his composure, closing out the match in 13 darts to claim his first-ever Premier League nightly title. This win marks a significant breakthrough for Bunting, while further extending van Veen’s frustrating run of reaching finals but failing to win them.
What’s Next? Premier League Darts Heads to Cardiff!
The Premier League Darts action continues next **Thursday, March 5, 2026**, as the players head to the Utilita Arena in **Cardiff, Wales**. Fans can look forward to another night of top-tier darts, with all the matches broadcast live.
Belfast Night 4 Results (February 26, 2026)
Quarter-Finals:
- Luke Littler 3-6 Jonny Clayton (Average: 95.53 – 96.16)
- Stephen Bunting 6-4 Luke Humphries (Average: 106.63 – 106.29)
- Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Gerwyn Price (Average: 94.06 – 100.88)
- Gian van Veen 6-2 Josh Rock (Average: 96.08 – 91.05)
Semi-Finals:
- Jonny Clayton 0-6 Stephen Bunting (Average: 90.04 – 106.09)
- Gerwyn Price 5-6 Gian van Veen (Average: 102.13 – 105.22)
Final:
- Stephen Bunting 6-2 Gian van Veen (Average: 97.15 – 95.76)
Cardiff Night 5 Schedule (March 5, 2026)
Quarter-Finals:
- Michael van Gerwen vs Luke Humphries
- Gian van Veen vs Jonny Clayton
- Gerwyn Price vs Stephen Bunting
- Luke Littler vs Josh Rock
Semi-Finals:
- Winner of Van Gerwen/Humphries vs Winner of Van Veen/Clayton
- Winner of Price/Bunting vs Winner of Littler/Rock
Final:
- Winner of Semi-Final 1 vs Winner of Semi-Final 2
Premier League Darts Prize Money
The Premier League Darts boasts the second-highest prize fund in darts, surpassed only by the PDC World Championship. Please note that this prize money does NOT count towards the PDC Order of Merit rankings.
- Winner: £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
- Bonus (per nightly win): £10,000
Total Prize Fund: £1,250,000
The matches are broadcast live by DAZN and Sport1 in relevant regions.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
