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The Premier League Darts 2026 season kicks off with night one in Newcastle on February 5, running through to finals night on May 28 in London.
Eight players have been selected, the format remains the same from last season, and after months of deliberation around who will be in the competition, it’s time to play some darts and see who can lift this trophy.
If you’re wanting to know anything about the event, then here at Throw For 180 we’ve put together a full tournament guide to point you in the right direction.
Darts Premier League Confirmed Players
Eight players will take part in the Darts Premier League for the 2026 season, keeping the number of players the same as we saw last season.
These are based on a mixture of rankings and picks by the PDC, something that was introduced in a bid to not penalise top players who fall down rankings, especially due to injury.
Here’s a look at the eight players who are in the Premier League for 2026.
- Luke Littler
- Luke Humphries
- Gian van Veen
- Michael van Gerwen
- Jonny Clayton
- Stephen Bunting
- Josh Rock
- Gerwyn Price
Premier League Darts Schedule
The Premier League takes place over a 17 week period, with 16 weeks forming the group stage of the competition and then finals night at the end, to determine who is crowned as the Premier League champion.
- February 5 – Night 1 – Newcastle
- February 12 – Night 2 – Antwerp
- February 19 – Night 3 – Glasgow
- February 26 – Night 4 – Belfast
- March 5 – Night 5 – Cardiff
- March 12 – Night 6 – Nottingham
- March 19 – Night 7 – Dublin
- March 26 – Night 8 – Berlin
- April 2 – Night 9 – Manchester
- April 9 – Night 10 – Brighton
- April 16 – Night 11 – Rotterdam
- April 23 – Night 12 – Liverpool
- April 30 – Night 13 – Aberdeen
- May 7 – Night 14 – Leeds
- May 14 – Night 15 – Birmingham
- May 21 – Night 16 – Sheffield
- May 28 – Finals Night – London
Premier League Darts Format
The Premier League darts format combines long term season standings with the thrill of seeing a final each night of the season, to give fans a chance to watch the best pro darts players in top quality action.
Each night begins with four quarter finals, with each player in action. These are pre-determined draws for 14 of the 16 weeks, the exceptions are week 8 and 16. The quarter finals for these weeks are based on league table standings (1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5).
Losers of the quarter finals end their night straight away, while winners progress to the semi finals, and then the two winners from those games will play in the final to end the evening’s entertainment.
At the end of it all, points are allocated based on performance.
- The winner of the night is awarded 5 points
- The runner up is awarded 3 points
- The two semi finalists are awarded 2 points
- The quarter final losers are awarded 0 points
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The Premier League Format Explained
The Premier League Darts is unlike any other tournament on the PDC calendar. Rather than a straightforward knockout event, it’s a touring league that visits arenas across the UK and Europe over a period of several months. Understanding the format helps you follow the action and appreciate just how much pressure the players are under week after week.
The league phase sees the eight competing players face each other in nightly events. Each night, four matches take place, with the winner of each match taking two points and a draw giving one point each. At the end of the league phase, the top four players on points qualify for Finals Night — a single-elimination event that crowns the Premier League champion.
Why the Premier League Is Special
The Premier League stands out from other PDC events for several reasons. First, the atmosphere is extraordinary — these are big arena events with crowds of thousands, creating an electric atmosphere that you simply don’t get at smaller venues. The Premier League is responsible for bringing darts to some of the biggest indoor arenas in the country.
Second, the format creates compelling narratives over months rather than days. Players can have terrible nights and recover. Hot streaks develop. Rivalries intensify. By the time Finals Night arrives, the story of the season has been fully written — and every week along the way has added a chapter.
Third, the invite-only format means that only the very best players participate. Alongside the world’s top-ranked players, the PDC select a “contender” — typically an exciting up-and-coming player or a popular returning face — which keeps things fresh from year to year.
How to Watch the Premier League
In the UK, Premier League Darts is broadcast live on Sky Sports Darts. Every nightly event is shown in full, and coverage typically includes pre-match analysis, post-match reaction, and comprehensive statistics. For those without a Sky subscription, NOW TV offers a day or month pass that gives access to Sky Sports content including darts.
The PDC also streams selected content through PDC.tv, and highlights are widely available on YouTube and social media after each night. Following the official PDC social channels is one of the best ways to stay on top of results and talking points as the season progresses.
Premier League Darts — Key Facts
- Format: League phase followed by Finals Night (top 4)
- Duration: Runs from February to May each year
- Players: Eight invited players — typically the world’s top 7 plus one contender
- Broadcast: Sky Sports Darts (UK), with international coverage in various markets
- History: First held in 2005, making it one of the most established events on the PDC calendar