Premier League Darts 2026: Official Lineup, 17-Night Schedule, and Ticket Guide
The wait is finally over. Fresh from the electric atmosphere of Alexandra Palace, where Luke Littler secured his second consecutive World Championship title last night, the PDC has officially confirmed the eight-player field for the Premier League Darts 2026.
The 2026 season promises to be the most explosive yet. We have a seismic shake-up in the venues, two massive debutants who have been knocking on the door for years, and a wildcard selection that is already causing fierce debate across social media.
Whether you are planning a lads’ night out in Leeds, a corporate trip to The O2, or a weekend away for the new European date, this guide covers everything. Here is the full breakdown of the Premier League Darts 2026 schedule, the confirmed lineup, and how to secure your seats before they vanish.
The Official 2026 Premier League Darts Lineup
The selection committee had a tougher job than ever this year. With the talent pool deeper than the Mariana Trench, big names were always going to miss out. But the final eight announced today represents a perfect mix of major champions and fearless young blood.
The Automatic Qualifiers (Top 4 Order of Merit)
These four earned their spots by dominating the two-year ranking cycle. No debates here, just pure class.
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Luke Littler (World No. 1): “The Nuke” enters his second Premier League season as the undisputed king of the sport. After defending his world title, he is the heavy favourite with bookmakers BetMGM Official Odds.
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Luke Humphries: The 2024 champion and former World No. 1 remains Littler’s biggest rival. Their rivalry is the fuel that powers this tournament.
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Gian van Veen (Debut): The flying Dutchman has finally arrived. After a breakout 2025 season where he reached three major semis, Van Veen makes his long-awaited Premier League bow.
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Michael van Gerwen: The veteran. He might not be World No. 1 anymore, but MVG is the Premier League. He chases a record-extending eighth title this year.
The Wildcard Selections: Who Made the Cut?
This is where things get spicy. The PDC and Sky Sports have opted for entertainment value and recent form over legacy rankings.
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Josh Rock (Debut): “Rocky” is in! The Northern Irishman’s high-scoring power game is tailor-made for the quick-fire Premier League format.
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Stephen Bunting: The “Bullet” returns. Bunting is arguably the most popular player on the circuit right now. The atmosphere when “Titanium” hits the speakers in Liverpool will be deafening.
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Gerwyn Price: You cannot have the Premier League without the Iceman. Love him or hate him, he brings the noise, the drama, and the world-class darts.
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Jonny Clayton: The Ferret is back in the fold after a stellar resurgence in late 2025.
Subject Matter Expert Note: The exclusion of Rob Cross and Nathan Aspinall is controversial, but it signals a changing of the guard. The PDC is banking on the “Next Gen” rivalry between Littler, Van Veen, and Rock to drive viewership.
Premier League Darts 2026 Full Schedule & Venues
The roadshow kicks off in Newcastle on February 5 and tours the UK and Europe for 16 weeks before the Play-Offs in London.
Major Venue Change: Say goodbye to Exeter. For 2026, the PDC has dropped the Westpoint Arena to add a third European date. The AFAS Dome in Antwerp, Belgium, joins Berlin and Rotterdam, making this a truly continental tour.
Every Night, Date, and Arena
| Night | Date | Venue | Location |
| Night 1 | Thu 5 Feb | Utilita Arena | Newcastle |
| Night 2 | Thu 12 Feb | OVO Hydro | Glasgow |
| Night 3 | Thu 19 Feb | 3Arena | Dublin |
| Night 4 | Thu 26 Feb | M&S Bank Arena | Liverpool |
| Night 5 | Thu 5 Mar | The Brighton Centre | Brighton |
| Night 6 | Thu 12 Mar | Motorpoint Arena | Nottingham |
| Night 7 | Thu 19 Mar | Utilita Arena | Birmingham |
| Night 8 | Thu 26 Mar | Utilita Arena | Cardiff |
| Night 9 | Thu 2 Apr | Mercedes-Benz Arena | Berlin |
| Night 10 | Thu 9 Apr | AO Arena | Manchester |
| Night 11 | Thu 16 Apr | Rotterdam Ahoy | Rotterdam |
| Night 12 | Thu 23 Apr | AFAS Dome | Antwerp (New) |
| Night 13 | Thu 30 Apr | First Direct Arena | Leeds |
| Night 14 | Thu 7 May | Utilita Arena | Sheffield |
| Night 15 | Thu 14 May | P&J Live | Aberdeen |
| Night 16 | Thu 21 May | SSE Arena | Belfast |
| Play-Offs | Thu 28 May | The O2 | London |
Pro-Tip for Travelling Fans: If you are eyeing the new Antwerp date (Night 12), book your Eurostar early. The AFAS Dome is known for its intense atmosphere, similar to Rotterdam, but local hotels will fill up instantly with UK fans crossing the channel. It’s the perfect “long weekend” trip.
How to Get Premier League Darts 2026 Tickets
Getting tickets for the Premier League is harder than hitting a nine-darter. Most venues sell out within hours of the general sale. However, you can still find seats if you know where to look.
Official Selling Partners vs. Resale Sites
Always start with the primary ticket agents: SeeTickets and Ticketmaster.
If (and when) they show “Sold Out,” do not panic and head straight to Viagogo or StubHub, where touts mark up prices by 300%.
My Experience: The best way to grab late tickets is the Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan Resale platform or AXS Official Resale (for venues like The O2 and Newcastle). These sites cap prices at face value. I have personally grabbed floor seats for the O2 Play-Offs two days before the event simply by refreshing the AXS app in the morning.
Hospitality Packages
If standard seats are gone, consider the “Sport and Music” hospitality upgrades. They are pricier, usually starting around £150pp, but they guarantee entry. You get early access, a two-course meal, and, crucially, access to a private bar, which means you don’t miss any action waiting for a pint.
Important Crowd Rule: The PDC encourages fancy dress, but keeps it strict. No football colours (except international shirts), no political slogans, and nothing that covers your face. If you turn up in a mask, security will confiscate it at the door.
Prize Money & Tournament Format Explained
The format remains the “Nightly Knockout” system that has revitalised Thursday nights.
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The Format: Each night is a mini-tournament. Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and a Final.
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Points: The Night winner gets 5 points. Runner-up gets 3. Semi-finalists get 2.
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The Goal: Finish in the top 4 of the league table to qualify for the Play-Offs at The O2.
The £1.25m Purse Breakdown
The stakes are massive. Here is what the players are fighting for, according to the PDC Official Prize Fund:
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Nightly Winner Bonus: £10,000 per night.
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League Winner (Table Topper): £25,000 bonus.
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Grand Final Runner-Up: £125,000.
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Premier League Champion: £350,000.
2026 Season Predictions: Can Anyone Stop Luke Littler?
Looking at the Premier League Darts 2026 lineup, it is hard to bet against the World Number 1. Littler averaged 108.5 across the World Championship, a standard that is frankly terrifying for the rest of the field.
However, the Premier League is a marathon, not a sprint.
The value bet might actually be Stephen Bunting. The “Bullet” had the highest checkout percentage on tour in 2025. In a short format (best of 11 legs), clinical finishing often beats heavy scoring. While everyone watches the “Two Lukes,” Bunting could quietly pick up points and secure a top-four spot.
Also, keep an eye on Gian van Veen. Debutants often thrive in the Premier League because they play with no fear, just look at Littler last year.
Conclusion
The Premier League Darts 2026 is set to be a landmark season for the sport. With the expansion into Belgium and a lineup that bridges the gap between the legends and the new generation, Thursday nights are essential viewing once again.
If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, check the resale sites now. If you are watching from home, clear your schedule for February 5. The arrows are ready to fly.
What do you think of the wildcard picks? Did Josh Rock deserve the spot over Rob Cross? Let me know in the comments below.
[Check out our review of the Best Darts for Beginners in 2026]
[Full Guide to PDC Order of Merit Rankings]
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