Yesterday saw the line-up for the 2026 Premier League Darts be revealed. As always the line-up consisted of the world’s top four, and four invitees selected by the PDC. The top four this year consists of three returning players and one debutant.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen will all be looking to add to their collection of Premier League crowns, with Humphries looking to defend the title he won by beating Littler in the final last year.
Meanwhile, new world number three Gian van Veen will be looking to build on an incredibly successful 2025, which included a first major crown at the European Championship and a first ever world final, as he takes to the Premier League stage for the first time.
The wildcard picks this year also include three returning players and one debutant.
Jonny Clayton is the first of the wildcards, who returns to the Premier League for the first time since 2023. The Ferret had a successful 2025, reaching three major semis and the final of the World Cup for Wales. He will be looking to repeat the glory days of 2021, when he claimed the Premier League title by beating Jose de Sousa in the final.
Josh Rock also features for his debut Premier League campaign. The Northern Irish star has had an impressive year in 2025, winning the World Cup for his country, and making semi-finals at the World Matchplay, UK Open and World Series Finals. He will be looking to keep his good form going into the Premier League campaign as he chases his first solo major.
Another Welshman got an invite, in the form of Gerwyn Price. During 2025, The Iceman made four semi-finals in majors, including in the Premier League, and made the final of the World Cup with Clayton for his country. He will be looking to go one better than the final he made in 2023 at this year’s Premier League.
The wildcard selection which has caused the most controversy is Stephen Bunting. Despite winning six titles in 2025, The Bullet had a relatively poor year in majors, only making two quarter-finals, and suffering an early exit at the World Championships. He will be looking to improve on finishing bottom of the Premier League table, which he has done on his two previous appearances.
As with every year, there is fierce debate about the wildcard selection, and a few notable absentees who may feel hard done by to miss out.
Names being mentioned include James Wade, who made two major finals last year, Danny Noppert, as he made five major semis, and Nathan Aspinall, who had a major final, semi-final and three quarter-final appearances this year.
The eight names who made it in will begin their battle for the Premier League crown on 5th February in Newcastle, with 16 weeks of action before the top four head into finals night at the O2 Arena in London on 28th May.