The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has unveiled the eight-player line-up for the 2026 Premier League Darts season, but the announcement has been met with significant criticism and debate from the sport's passionate fanbase.
The 2026 Premier League Darts Contenders
The prestigious invitational event will feature 16 regular season nights between February and May, culminating in a finals night for the top four players. As per the standard qualification rules, the top four ranked players in the world gain automatic entry. For the 2026 edition, this means Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen have secured their spots.
The PDC then selected four additional players to complete the roster. The chosen quartet are Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, and Gerwyn Price. Humphries enters as the defending champion, while both van Veen and Rock will be making their Premier League debuts. Van Veen earned his place after a stunning run to the World Championship final, which propelled him to world number three.
Notable Absences and Fan Backlash
The selection process inevitably left several high-profile players out in the cold, leading to immediate fan frustration online. Ryan Searle, Nathan Aspinall, Danny Noppert, and James Wade were among the notable absentees, alongside Chris Dobey and Rob Cross from last year's competition. Veteran Gary Anderson was also omitted, though he had previously expressed a desire not to participate due to the extensive travel schedule.
The inclusion of Stephen Bunting, in particular, has raised eyebrows. Bunting finished eighth in his Premier League debut last year and was eliminated in the third round of the recent World Championship. Many supporters took to social media to voice their confusion, suggesting players like Noppert, Wade, or Searle would have been more deserving choices based on recent form.
One fan commented online, questioning the merit of the picks: "Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting both had a terrible year in 2025. How come they are in the Premier League?" Another simply stated, "Bunting and Rock shouldn't be there at all." Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle also expressed surprise, noting Bunting could consider himself "a little fortunate" to be selected.
Official Justification and Looking Ahead
In response to the selection, PDC chief executive Matt Porter acknowledged the difficulty of the choices. "The selection for this year's tournament was particularly difficult given the incredible standard of darts we've seen over the last 12 months," he said. Porter emphasised the "fresh new look" of the line-up and highlighted the historic momentum following the World Championship, with the tournament set to visit Belgium for the first time.
Despite the controversy, the PDC is anticipating another record-breaking season, with ticket sales already hitting new highs. All eyes will now be on the eight selected stars to see if they can justify their places and deliver the entertainment promised across the UK and Europe in 2026.
