Premier League Darts line-up prediction as Luke Littler joined by thrilling addition
The Premier League Darts return is just weeks away when the tournament starts in Newcastle but the final line-up is yet to be confirmed
The Premier League Darts return is just one month away from the opening night in Newcastle.
Newly crowned back-to-back world champion Luke Littler will be looking to avenge his defeat to Luke Humphries in last year’s final at the O2 with the £275,000 winners’ cheque up for grabs from the £1million prize money pool.
The 16-week regular season will see eight players battle it out every week in a knockout tournament worth £10,000 to the winner and points up for grabs before the top four head to The O2 in London for Finals Night.
Littler and Humphries are guaranteed their place in the tournament, alongside world No.3 and beaten world finalist Gian van Veen and world No.4 Michael van Gerwen due to their PDC Order of Merit ranking.
Ahead of the line-up being revealed live on Sky Sports News at 3:30pm on Monday, the Daily Star Sport predicts the four players who will be given wildcard spots.
Gerwyn Price
Price made Finals Night last year despite being fortunate to find himself in the Premier League given his poor season in 2024, but ‘The Iceman’ reached the World Cup of Darts final and four TV semi-finals in 2025, as well as quarter-final runs to the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.
The Welshman looked a certainty to retain his place but his second round exit at the World Championship has made that place more precarious than it previously looked to be.
But Price tops the Players Championship Order of Merit and has plenty of credit in the bank before a nightmare Ally Pally campaign which has seen him drop five places to No.12 in the world.
Josh Rock
One of the most exciting players in the world, Rocky is box office. He’s a must watch with his high scoring and fast play and would suit the Premier League perfectly.
The 24-year-old lifted the World Cup of Darts with Daryl Gurney last year and reached the semi-finals of the UK Open and World Matchplay as well as quarter-final appearances in the Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals.
A first TV ranking major eludes him but that looks sure to be around the corner. The world No.9 would be an exciting addition.
Stephen Bunting
‘The Bullet’ endured a nightmare Premier League campaign that year, picking up just 12 points and finishing bottom of the table after eight weeks without a win.
After his Premier League spot was confirmed last year, Bunting’s only run in a major tournament was a quarter-final appearance at the World Matchplay. And following his shock third round exit at the World Championship, he is now the world No.7, dropping three places.
However, the former World Masters champion had a good year at the floor events last year and won two World Series of Darts tournaments. Bunting is a firm crowd favourite, which holds much value with the Premier League ultimately an exhibition event given it is a non-ranking tournament.
Jonny Clayton
Clayton’s place in the Premier League looked to be nailed on after a brilliant start to the year that saw him reach the World Masters and World Cup of Darts final and enjoy runs to the semi-finals of the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.
However, his end to the year was largely saved by a quarter-final run at Ally Pally having failed to win a game at the European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship finals.
Clayton has also had a decent year on the floor and is the world No.5. The 2021 World Championship winner deserves to make his return to the competition following his best year on the PDC Tour since.
Honourable mention – Gary Anderson
The two-time back-to-back world champion climbed to No.6 in the Order of Merit with his World Championship semi-final defeat – a major performance that has been brewing for some time.
However, at 55, Anderson has insisted his darts career is winding down and the busy schedule of the Premier League would completely contradict his seeming career plan. But the prize money on offer and allure of the tournament might turn his head should he receive the invite his form, reputation and fanfare deserve.
Nathan Aspinall will also count himself very unlucky to miss out on a place after a Players Championship Final run, two quarter-final appearances, a semi-final spot in the Premier League and three European Tour titles last year.
