We are back with the 2026 edition of the Premier League of Darts, which began with the city of Newcastle playing host to night one of the action. Here’s what happened:
MATCH 1: Josh Rock vs Jonny Clayton
A nervy start to the contest from debutant Josh Rock was quickly halted, as he broke the throw of Clayton, after the Welshman squandered three darts at the double. Clayton immediately fired back by hitting six perfect darts and eventually taking the leg, after Rock missed bull for a 170.
Clayton then went through the gears for the rest of the match, rounding out a fantastic opening performance by winning the final four legs and averaging nearly 110. A brilliant welcome back to the Premier League for the Ferret.
Result: Josh Rock (101.83) 2-6 Jonny Clayton (109.81)
MATCH 2: Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen
A rematch from the final of the 2026 World Championship of Darts was up next, and it was the Dutchman who came out firing early, hitting perfection with his first five darts of the contest, before wrapping up the leg in routine fashion. Littler was quick to level the contest, before missing two darts in the following leg, allowing van Veen to clean up and retake the lead in the contest.
A similar pattern continued of Littler missing chances at the double, and van Veen punishing him, despite being second best in the scoring department. It was then van Veen’s turn to struggle on the outer ring, as he missed three darts to go 4-2 up, instead ‘The Nuke’ levelled the game, and then broke the Dutchman’s throw to take the lead for the first time.
A break back for ‘The Giant’ once again saw the momentum of the contest swing, as he followed it up with a hold of throw to go within one of victory.
Despite missed match darts from Gian, he eventually found the double six to win his first ever premier league game and upset the world number one. Revenge for Gian on the night.
Result: Luke Littler (96.98) 4-6 Gian van Veen (95.55)
MATCH 3: Luke Humphries vs Gerwyn Price
The reigning Premier League champion, Luke Humphries took on Gerwyn Price in the next game, with Price immediately firing in a maximum to set the standard. A comfortable hold of throw followed for the Iceman. A 114 checkout by Price, following his signature dropping of the dart, put him back ahead, after Cool Hand had levelled up the contest.
The game continued to go with throw for tenth leg on the spin, with both players being clinical on the outer circle. With the game levelled at 5-5, Price was one hold away from victory. Missed darts at the double from both players, saw the game in the balance, however it was Luke Humphries who kept his cool, pinning double two to win with the first break of throw in the match.
Result: Luke Humphries (104.55) 6-5 Gerwyn Price (94.92)
MATCH 4: Stephen Bunting vs Michael van Gerwen
An early punishing break of throw from ‘The Bullet’ despite being second best for much of the opening leg, was followed by a much more dominant second leg to put himself firmly in the driver’s seat of the contest. MvG got off the mark in the third leg, taking out 65 to get himself back in the game, which he then followed up with a 117 out, to get the break back and level up the match.
Five legs on the spin for the Dutchman put him in control, as Bunting struggled with his few opportunities on the doubles. ‘Mighty Mike’ capped off his dominant display by pinning double ten, impressively winning six legs on the bounce.
Result: Stephen Bunting (97.59) 2-6 Michael van Gerwen (100.58) Â
SEMI-FINAL 1: Jonny Clayton vs Gian van Veen
Jonny Clayton continued where he left off on the outer circle, holding his throw in the opening leg, where he was second favourite to win after a solid scoring start from van Veen, who’s own doubling let him down. No mistakes from the Dutchman in the second leg, as he quickly levelled up the contest.
A couple of poor visits from ‘The Ferret’ in the third leg saw van Veen capitalise and secure the first break of the match, who then failed to extend his lead, missing five darts at the double, allowing Clayton an immediate break back with a well placed double 20.
‘The Giant’ began to turn the screw, winning the next three legs, as Clayton missed crucial darts at the double. An audacious 131 attempt from van Veen saw him narrowly miss his second dart in the double tops section, which would have won him the game.
This opened the opportunity for Clayton to stop the rot, which he did to reduce the deficit and keep the game alive. A second leg on the spin saw Clayton threaten a comeback, however the Dutchman thwarted his valiant efforts with an 11-darter to reach the nights final.Â
Result: Jonny Clayton (94.86) 4-6 Gian van Veen (98.37)
SEMI-FINAL 2: Luke Humphries vs Michael van Gerwen
A fast start to the game for Humphries as he secured the first leg in routine fashion, only to be pegged straight back by MvG. ‘Mighty Mike’ bagged the first break of the game and then followed up with a hold on throw to put himself in control of the tie, against a Humphries who struggled to hit his doubles despite having more opportunities.
‘Cool Hand’ clawed a leg back, but once again MvG punished him on more missed doubles. Van Gerwen went on to comprehensively win six of the last seven legs to dominantly dispatch of the world number two, pinning 85.71 of his doubles attempted along the way to set up an all-Dutch clash in the final.Â
Result: Luke Humphries (97.02) 2-6 Michael van Gerwen (97.88)
FINAL: Gian van Veen vs Michael van Gerwen
It was Gian van Veen throwing first in this clash between the top two Dutch players in the world, but it was van Gerwen who raced to a 1-0 lead, with a break of throw, continuing his fine doubling form. A rapid-fire hold of throw put ‘Mighty Mike’ 2-0 up, with both legs won on double 16.
An inspired 170 effort nearly increased MvG’s lead, but he missed the bull allowing his compatriot to wrap up 84, getting his first leg on the board. Van Veen found seemingly found his feet in the tie with some excellent scoring, but his doubles let him down in the vital moment, allowing MvG to increase his lead to two legs once again.
Van Gerwen stretched his lead to 5-3, after both players had initially missed crucial darts at the double. Van Veen reduced the deficit further, as MvG saw match darts come and go.
The van Veen fight back was cut short, as MvG found double 14, to win the match, and go top of the table after the first week of action. A phenomenal start to the campaign for MvG, who didn’t manage a single nightly win during last year’s event.
Result: Gian van Veen (90.57) 4-6 Michael van Gerwen (97.81)