Get ready for the Premier League Darts 2026! This year promises an electrifying tournament with a refreshed line-up, a record-breaking prize fund of £1,250,000, and a thrilling format across 17 venues. Fans will witness the world’s best darting talent battle it out in mini-tournaments each week, culminating in the grand Play-Offs in London, where the champion will claim a staggering £350,000. Expect intense rivalries, emerging stars, and darting excellence as the competition unfolds.
The Premier League Darts 2026: Format Explained
The 22nd edition of the Premier League Darts maintains its popular format, featuring 17 exhilarating match days. The league phase consists of 16 weekly mini-knockout tournaments, with players competing in Best of 11 Legs matches. Each week, the quarter-final pairings are strategically set so that every player faces each other twice over the 16 league nights.
Points are awarded based on performance in these weekly tournaments:
- Winner: 5 points and a £10,000 bonus prize.
- Runner-up: 3 points.
- Semi-finalists: 2 points.
There’s a unique twist on two specific nights: Match Day 8 in Berlin and the final league night (Match Day 16) in Sheffield. On these evenings, the quarter-final matchups are determined by the current league standings, pitting the top-ranked player against the bottom, second against seventh, and so on, promising high-stakes encounters.
The Road to the O2 Arena: Play-Offs and Final
After 16 intense league nights, the top four players in the standings will advance to the Play-Offs. These are traditionally held at the iconic O2 Arena in London, scheduled for May 28th, where the ultimate champion will be crowned.
The Play-Off structure is as follows:
- Semi-finals: The first-placed player faces the fourth-placed, while the second-placed player takes on the third. These matches are played over the longer format of Best of 19 Legs.
- Grand Final: The winners of the semi-finals clash in a thrilling climax, where the first player to win 11 legs will lift the coveted Premier League trophy.
Record-Breaking Prize Money & Special Bonuses
The 2026 Premier League Darts boasts an unprecedented prize fund, with a total of £1,250,000 to be distributed among the participants – a significant 25% increase from the previous year. This makes it the second-richest tournament in darts, surpassed only by the PDC World Championship.
Here’s a breakdown of the prize money:
- Champion: £350,000 (an increase of £75,000 from the prior year)
- 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
In addition to these substantial sums, each weekly winner receives an extra £10,000 bonus. Furthermore, the title sponsor offers a unique reward for every 9-darter hit during the tournament: a specially crafted 18-carat gold dart set, valued at approximately £30,000. Last year, five such sets were awarded, with Gerwyn Price claiming two.
Important Note: As an invitational tournament, the prize money from the Premier League Darts does NOT contribute to the PDC Order of Merit rankings.
New Battlegrounds and Familiar Stages
The 2026 season will visit 17 different locations, introducing a notable change to the schedule:
- The action kicks off on Thursday, February 5th, 2026, in Newcastle.
- For the first time ever, the Premier League will make a stop in Antwerp, Belgium, for Match Day 2. This new venue replaces Exeter on the calendar.
- Berlin remains a popular and fixed fixture, hosting Match Day 8.
- Rotterdam returns for Match Day 11.
- The final league night, Match Day 16, will take place in Sheffield.
- The grand finale, the Play-Offs, will be held the following week at the O2 Arena in London.
The Elite Eight: Players to Watch
This year’s Premier League features two new faces among the field of eight, alongside familiar darting giants. The selection has already sparked much discussion among fans and pundits.
- Luke Littler: “The Nuke” enters as the absolute top favourite, having continued to demonstrate his incredible talent and making him exceptionally difficult to beat.
- Luke Humphries: “Cool Hand Luke” is the defending champion, having defeated Littler in the 2025 final. He is widely regarded as the second favourite for the title.
- Gian van Veen: One of two exciting debutants, the reigning European Champion has climbed to World No. 3, showcasing his immense potential and surpassing even his compatriot Michael van Gerwen in the rankings.
- Michael van Gerwen: Despite winning the Bahrain Darts Masters this year, there are questions surrounding “Mighty Mike’s” form, especially after an early exit at the Winmau World Masters.
- Jonny Clayton: “The Ferret” returns after a consistent year in 2025, reaching several Major semi-finals and proving to be one of the most reliable players outside the top two Lukes.
- Stephen Bunting: “The Bullet” gets another chance, despite struggling to translate his floor form to major stages last year, including a winless streak for the first eight Premier League nights. His popularity makes him a strong crowd favourite.
- Josh Rock: The second debutant, the Northern Irishman’s inclusion was only a matter of time. A World Cup winner, he is yet to secure a major individual title, and managing the demanding Premier League schedule will be a key test.
- Gerwyn Price: “The Iceman” has shown a resurgence in form in recent months, securing titles in smaller events and looking to bring that winning momentum to the Premier League stage.
Notable Absences
The selection process always leads to debate, and this year is no exception. Several strong contenders, including James Wade, Danny Noppert, Chris Dobey, and Nathan Aspinall, were not included in the 2026 line-up, much to the surprise of some fans.
How to Watch the Premier League Darts 2026
Fans worldwide can follow all the thrilling action of the Premier League Darts 2026. Major sports streaming services and dedicated darts channels typically provide live coverage of all significant tournaments, including the Premier League. Viewers are advised to check their local broadcast listings and sports subscription services for specific availability and schedules in their region. Many platforms also offer the option to watch missed matches on-demand.
Opening Night Fixtures: Newcastle (Thursday, February 5th, 2026)
The first night promises an electrifying start with these quarter-final matchups:
- Josh Rock vs. Jonny Clayton
- Luke Littler vs. Gian van Veen
- Luke Humphries vs. Gerwyn Price
- Stephen Bunting vs. Michael van Gerwen
The winners will progress to the semi-finals, followed by the evening’s final, where the first weekly champion of 2026 will be crowned.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
