Luke Littler's calls for a return to the 10-player Premier League format have been dismissed by PDC chairman Barry Hearn. The teenage darts sensation, who recently won the 2026 Premier League title, had advocated for changes to the current structure, which has been in place since 2022.
The current format features eight players competing in mini knockout tournaments each Thursday, with the top four advancing to the play-offs. Littler proposed reverting to the older system, last used in 2021, which included 10 players, one match per night, and a 'judgement night' elimination round. He stated, 'I'd like to see a change. I'd like to play in a Premier League where it's just one game a night.'
However, Hearn confirmed the existing format will remain unchanged, citing record ticket sales. 'This year we have sold 98.2 per cent of all tickets. If something isn't broken, you shouldn't fix it,' he told HLN. The PDC chief added that while evaluations occur annually, any changes are unlikely in the near future.
Despite Hearn's stance, PDC chief executive Matt Porter had earlier suggested openness to reviewing the format, noting that the current system has been in place for four years and would not last eight. He said, 'We will always look at what we can do.' The Premier League format has faced criticism for repetitiveness, with Littler and Luke Humphries meeting nine times during the 2026 tournament.
