Antwerp’s AFAS Dome was buzzing with anticipation on February 12, 2026, as the Premier League Darts rolled into Belgium for the very first time. Fans packed the arena, eager to witness the world’s top eight dart throwers battle it out on Night Two of this year’s electrifying competition. When the dust settled, it was Gerwyn Price—the man known as ‘The Iceman’—who stood tall, clinching his first nightly win of the 2026 campaign and injecting new life into his Premier League ambitions.
Price’s path to glory was anything but straightforward. The Welshman had to dig deep, displaying steely nerves and world-class consistency in a night that saw him edge past Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton in two nail-biting 6-5 thrillers before facing Michael van Gerwen in the final. The result? A commanding 6-3 victory over the Dutch superstar, with Price averaging 104 and even flirting with an astonishing 115 average in the closing legs. That’s the stuff of champions!
“I started off really slowly. I was really edgy after losing the first game last week and you want to get off to a good start. I thought I played decently second game, Jonny pinched a couple of legs,” Price told Sky Sports after his win, reflecting on the pressure that comes with the Premier League’s relentless format. He continued, “I know I’m playing well but you still have to do it on the big stage and it doesn’t always happen. Gian had a shot at the bull to beat me and it could have been a different story. I played fantastically in Germany but it’s trying to do it on the main stage. Two points I was happy, five points even better, and 10 grand.”
The AFAS Dome crowd witnessed a night of darting drama, with each match packed with tension and clutch moments. In the quarter-finals, Luke Littler staged a remarkable comeback to edge Luke Humphries 6-5, overturning a 4-1 deficit as Humphries faltered at the finish line. Michael van Gerwen, meanwhile, dispatched Josh Rock 6-2, showing the kind of ruthless efficiency that’s kept him at the top of the Premier League table. Jonny Clayton produced his own magic, rallying from 4-1 down to defeat Stephen Bunting 6-4, while Price survived a scare against Gian van Veen, eventually prevailing 6-5 after both men missed crucial doubles in a nervy decider.
The semi-finals brought even more fireworks. Van Gerwen and Littler traded breaks of throw in a see-saw battle, but it was the Dutchman who pulled away late, sealing a 6-4 win with a clinical double 16. Price’s clash with fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton was equally tight, with Clayton grabbing a 5-4 lead before Price forced a decider and held his nerve to advance. “Ranking points and ranking tournaments are the main priority, but turning up week in week out in front of crowds is what gives you confidence. It’s probably top of the priority at the minute,” Price said, underlining the importance of momentum in this grueling league.
The final between Price and Van Gerwen was a showcase of high-octane darts. Price struck first, breaking throw and roaring with delight after a 78 checkout for a 2-0 lead. Van Gerwen, ever the competitor, responded with a nonchalant 167 checkout and later a 160 to keep himself in the hunt. But Price’s relentless scoring—peppered with 140s and 180s—kept the pressure firmly on. A missed opportunity on 108 gave Van Gerwen a glimmer of hope, but Price slammed the door shut, nailing double ten for 4-2 and then double six for 5-2. Though Van Gerwen clawed back a leg, Price would not be denied, sealing the win and sending the Belgian crowd into raptures.
This victory earned Price five crucial points and a £10,000 prize, catapulting him to second in the Premier League standings—just behind Van Gerwen, who remains top thanks to his consistency across both opening nights. “I think I’m playing some of the best stuff I’ve played, I’m just not winning tournaments. There’s no way I can’t win a major, bigger Pro Tours, Europeans. Averages are just for show and if you play well on your darts and win matches you win tournaments. I’m going to get some,” Price declared, brimming with confidence about his form and future prospects.
The 2026 Premier League Darts, which began at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on February 5 and runs through to the O2 Arena in London on May 28, features a star-studded line-up: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock, Stephen Bunting, and Gerwyn Price. The format pits these elite throwers against each other week after week, with valuable points and prize money on the line—£350,000 awaits the overall winner, and £10,000 goes to each weekly champion.
Night One in Newcastle had seen Van Gerwen emerge victorious, defeating Gian van Veen in the final after dispatching Stephen Bunting and Luke Humphries in earlier rounds. Price, for his part, had suffered a narrow 6-5 loss to Humphries, a setback that fueled his determination heading into Antwerp. Now, with his first win of the campaign, Price has firmly reasserted himself as a title contender.
Looking ahead, the Premier League juggernaut rolls on to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro for Night Three on February 19. The draw promises more mouthwatering clashes, including a rematch between Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals. With Michael van Gerwen still leading the table and both Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock yet to register a point, the competition is wide open and every leg matters.
The Premier League’s debut in Belgium was a resounding success, with the AFAS Dome crowd treated to world-class darts, dramatic comebacks, and a champion’s performance from Gerwyn Price. As the league moves to its next stop, the big question lingers: can ‘The Iceman’ maintain this red-hot form and chase down Van Gerwen for the top spot? One thing’s certain—this Premier League season is shaping up to be a thriller from start to finish.