The Premier League Darts 2026 season has ignited, captivating fans worldwide. After three thrilling nights, we have seen three distinct champions emerge: Michael van Gerwen in Newcastle, Gerwyn Price in Antwerp, and Jonny Clayton in Glasgow. While their individual skills and styles are undeniable, a critical, often overlooked, factor in their triumphs is their meticulously chosen dart setups. This article dives into the specific equipment these darting titans wielded, revealing the engineering and design choices that contribute significantly to their championship-winning performances.
Michael van Gerwen: The Mighty Mike’s Precision Power
The opening night in Newcastle saw Michael van Gerwen, “Mighty Mike,” demonstrate his formidable prowess. He swept aside Steven Bunting and Luke Humphries with identical 6-2 victories before clinching the final 6-4 against Gian van Veen, sealing his dominance with an impressive 114 checkout.
Beyond his extraordinary talent, Van Gerwen’s equipment plays a vital role. He consistently relies on his Winmau Signature Edition darts, a model he was directly involved in engineering. This collaboration ensures the darts perfectly complement his powerful, high-speed throwing style. Key features include:
- Weight: Typically around 21.5-23 grams.
- Tungsten Content: High 90% tungsten for a slimmer barrel and tighter groupings.
- Balance: Centre-balanced barrels, crucial for maintaining a straight trajectory at his high throwing speed.
- Grip: Distinctive ring grooves and “atom” precision milling. This advanced grip prevents over-gripping, allowing for a consistent, smooth release and providing Mighty Mike with the ultimate precision and control needed under intense competition.
Gerwyn Price: The Iceman’s Aggressive Edge
Night 2 in Antwerp, marking Belgium’s debut in Premier League Darts 2026, belonged to Gerwyn Price. “The Iceman” battled through two nail-biting 6-5 deciders before securing a convincing 6-3 victory over Night 1 champion, Michael van Gerwen, in the final.
Price, known for his aggressive and forceful throwing style, often opts for the Red Dragon Blue Ice darts. These darts are engineered to complement his dynamic approach:
- Weight: Commonly 24 grams.
- Tungsten Content: 90% tungsten, offering a dense, durable barrel.
- Grip: Features prominent buttress grooves that run across the barrel. This robust grip ensures the dart remains firmly in Gerwyn’s hand, even during the most high-pressure throws, preventing any unwanted slippage.
- Weight Distribution: The precise barrel weight and its distribution are perfectly aligned with Price’s powerful style, ensuring the darts fly true and land exactly where he intends.
Jonny Clayton: The Ferret’s Smooth Accuracy
Glasgow hosted Night 3, where Jonny “The Ferret” Clayton delivered an epic performance, culminating in a dominant 6-2 win over Gian van Veen. It was a masterclass in accuracy, following his victories against Gerwyn Price and Luke Littler (6-1) in earlier rounds.
Clayton often favors an refined classic design, with the Red Dragon Hiraeth darts frequently cited by fans as his top choice. These darts are designed to enhance his fast and highly accurate throwing motion:
- Weight: Typically 22-24 grams.
- Tungsten Content: 90% tungsten, providing a sleek and compact barrel.
- Balance: A centre-weighted balance ensures a stable flight path and a consistently straight trajectory, crucial for Clayton’s precision.
- Grip: Equipped with dual grooves that offer a medium grip. This design allows for more precise throws and a smooth, consistent release, which is vital for his rapid-fire style.
- Profile: An upgraded, more tapered front profile. This subtle design change is specifically engineered to reduce the chance of frustrating bounce-outs, keeping more darts in the board.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead in Premier League Darts 2026
As the Premier League Darts 2026 season progresses, the next stop is the SSE Arena in Belfast for Night 4 on Thursday, February 26. Despite not securing wins in the opening three nights, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries remain strong favorites among bookmakers to clinch the overall title. Night 4 promises exciting matchups, including a potential revenge match for Littler against Clayton, and a highly anticipated clash between Michael van Gerwen (returning after illness) and Gerwyn Price. Other quarter-final battles feature Stephen Bunting vs. Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen vs. Josh Rock.
It’s interesting to note a common thread among our first three champions: all utilize 90% tungsten darts, typically of moderate weight, and a standard barrel shape. This consistency highlights that while personal preference is key, certain design principles are universally effective at the elite level. The upcoming nights will undoubtedly showcase more incredible darts and reveal which setups continue to lead the charge towards the Premier League 2026 title.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
