The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has unveiled the complete eight-player field for the highly anticipated 2026 BetMGM Premier League season, setting the stage for a thrilling 17-week campaign.
The Elite Eight: Automatic Qualifiers and Wildcard Picks
The selection process combines the sport's top-ranked players with discretionary wildcard choices. The top four places were awarded automatically based on the PDC Order of Merit. Topping the bill is the new double world champion and world number one, Luke Littler. He is joined by the defending Premier League champion, Luke Humphries, Dutch sensation Gian van Veen, and the legendary seven-time Premier League winner Michael van Gerwen.
The PDC has supplemented this quartet with four wildcard selections, chosen for their recent achievements and crowd-drawing power. The wildcards for the 2026 season are:
- Jonny Clayton (World No. 5 & 2021 Premier League Champion)
- Stephen Bunting (World No. 7)
- Josh Rock (Northern Ireland's World Cup winner)
- Gerwyn Price (Former world champion)
Debutants and Storylines to Follow
This year's line-up introduces fresh faces to the Premier League stage. Both Gian van Veen and Josh Rock will be making their tournament debuts. Van Veen's inclusion comes after a spectacular run to the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace, where he was defeated 7-1 by Littler. That performance catapulted him to World No. 3 and saw him overtake van Gerwen as the Dutch number one.
Rock earns his spot after a stellar year that saw him inspire Northern Ireland to a historic World Cup of Darts victory in June. The season promises compelling narratives, not least the ongoing rivalry between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, who have contested the last two Premier League finals. Littler won in 2024, only for Humphries to reverse the result and lift the title in 2025.
Tournament Structure and Record Prize Money
The 2026 Premier League season will span 17 weeks, commencing with the first league night in Newcastle on Thursday, February 5. The roadshow will visit venues across the UK and Europe before culminating in the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on May 28. For the first time, the tournament will visit Belgium.
Each of the 16 league nights will feature quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final played over the best of 11 legs. Players earn points weekly to form a league table, with the top four advancing to Finals Night. The sport's biggest names will be competing for a record top prize of £350,000.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter commented on the selection, stating: "There's a fresh new look to this year's line-up, which I'm sure will entertain our incredible crowds. The selection was particularly difficult given the incredible standard of darts we've seen over the last 12 months." He added that the PDC aims to build on the momentum from a historic World Championship, with record-breaking ticket sales already secured for the upcoming season.
