Gerwyn Price, known as ‘The Iceman’, made history by winning the inaugural Premier League Darts event in Belgium. He triumphed over rival Michael van Gerwen with a decisive 6-3 victory in the Antwerp final, solidifying his lead at the top of the 2026 Premier League table. While Price showcased dominant form, the night was also filled with dramatic comebacks, including Jonny Clayton’s incredible recovery from a 0-4 deficit, and a nail-biting decider between young sensation Luke Littler and reigning World Champion Luke Humphries. Rookies Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting, however, continued their search for their first points.
The 2026 Premier League Darts made its much-anticipated debut in Belgium, transforming Antwerp’s AFAS Dome into a thrilling arena for darting excellence. The second night of the season delivered high drama, stunning checkouts, and intense rivalries, culminating in a memorable victory for Gerwyn Price.
Price’s Dominant Run to the Title
Gerwyn Price demonstrated why he’s a formidable force in darts, navigating a challenging field to claim the night’s honours. His journey included a hard-fought 6-5 victory against Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals, where he came from behind, and a tense 6-5 semi-final win over fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton.
In the final, Price faced his long-standing rival, Michael van Gerwen. Despite van Gerwen’s spectacular 167 and 160 finishes early on, Price remained composed. He secured crucial breaks, including an 82-finish against the throw, and ultimately closed out the match with a brilliant 12-dart leg to seal a 6-3 victory.
Dramatic Quarter-Finals Unfold
Littler Edges Humphries in a Thriller
One of the most anticipated matches of the night saw teenage sensation Luke Littler face World Champion Luke Humphries. Humphries started strong, but missed three crucial match darts in the deciding leg, allowing Littler to seize the opportunity. Littler, despite some uncharacteristic struggles on his doubles earlier in the match, kept his cool to convert his fourth match dart on D15, securing a 6-5 victory.
Clayton’s Incredible Comeback
Jonny Clayton produced arguably the comeback of the night against Stephen Bunting. Bunting looked to be cruising, establishing a commanding 4-0 lead. However, ‘The Ferret’ Clayton found a new gear, reeling off six consecutive legs in impressive fashion to turn the match around and win 6-4, leaving Bunting stunned.
Van Gerwen Overcomes Rock
Michael van Gerwen continued his strong start to the season by defeating debutant Josh Rock 6-2. Rock, still finding his feet in the Premier League, showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn’t match the consistent power scoring and clinical finishing of ‘Mighty Mike’.
Semi-Final Showdowns
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Luke Littler: Van Gerwen maintained his impressive form, overcoming Littler 6-4 in a high-quality encounter. Both players traded blows, but van Gerwen’s experience shone through in the crucial moments, denying Littler a place in the final.
- Jonny Clayton vs. Gerwyn Price: A Welsh derby saw Price emerge victorious over Clayton in another tight 6-5 battle. Price’s stronger scoring in the deciding leg, despite some nervy moments on the doubles, secured his spot in the final.
Antwerp Results at a Glance
Here’s a summary of the action from the AFAS Dome in Antwerp on Thursday, February 12, 2026:
Quarter-Finals:
- Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphries (Averages: Littler 105.16, Humphries 102.37)
- Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Josh Rock (Averages: van Gerwen 89.05, Rock 79.34)
- Jonny Clayton 6-4 Stephen Bunting (Averages: Clayton 103.93, Bunting 99.55)
- Gerwyn Price 6-5 Gian van Veen (Averages: Price 94.46, van Veen 95.61)
Semi-Finals:
- Luke Littler 4-6 Michael van Gerwen (Averages: Littler 95.18, van Gerwen 100.70)
- Jonny Clayton 5-6 Gerwyn Price (Averages: Clayton 95.19, Price 100.87)
Final:
- Michael van Gerwen 3-6 Gerwyn Price (Averages: van Gerwen 96.29, Price 104.44)
Looking Ahead: Glasgow Awaits
The Premier League Darts roadshow now moves to the OVO Hydro in Glasgow for Matchday 3 on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Fans can anticipate more thrilling darting action with these exciting fixtures:
Quarter-Finals:
- Stephen Bunting vs. Gian van Veen
- Luke Humphries vs. Josh Rock
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Luke Littler
- Jonny Clayton vs. Gerwyn Price
Semi-Finals:
- Winner of Bunting/van Veen vs. Winner of Humphries/Rock
- Winner of Van Gerwen/Littler vs. Winner of Clayton/Price
Final:
- Winner Semi-Final 1 vs. Winner Semi-Final 2
Premier League Darts Prize Money
The Premier League Darts offers substantial prize money, making it the tournament with the second-highest prize fund in professional darts, trailing only the PDC World Championship. Please note, this prize money does not contribute to 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
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
