Michael Van Gerwen Triumphs As Premier League Darts Kicks Off In Newcastle

The 2026 Premier League Darts season got off to a roaring start on February 5, as eight of the world’s top players descended on Newcastle’s Utilita Arena for Night 1. Anticipation was sky-high, with established champions and hungry debutants all vying to set the tone for a grueling campaign that stretches into late May. But as the dust settled, it was Michael van Gerwen who stole the show, proving that experience and class can still trump youthful bravado on the big stage.

All eyes were initially on reigning world champion Luke Littler, who entered the tournament as the red-hot favorite after a dominant run at the World Masters and a 7-1 demolition of Gian van Veen in the World Championship final just a month earlier. The draw for Night 1 offered plenty of intrigue, setting up quarterfinal showdowns: Josh Rock versus Jonny Clayton, Luke Littler against Gian van Veen, Luke Humphries up against Gerwyn Price, and Stephen Bunting facing Michael van Gerwen.

From the outset, the storyline was clear: would the new generation, led by Littler and Humphries, continue their recent dominance, or would the likes of van Gerwen and Clayton remind everyone why they’re former Premier League champions? The eight-player field, as confirmed by the PDC, included four previous champions—Humphries, Littler, van Gerwen, and Clayton—alongside debutants Gian van Veen and Josh Rock, plus the ever-dangerous Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price.

But the script was flipped early. In a much-anticipated rematch of the World Championship final, Gian van Veen exacted sweet revenge on Littler, clinching a 6-4 victory in the opening quarterfinal. The Dutch debutant showed nerves of steel, particularly in the final leg, where he missed double six for the match before Littler failed to capitalize on a 95 checkout. Van Veen then closed out the win, advancing to the semifinals and sending shockwaves through the arena. According to detailed match stats, Littler averaged 96.98 with four successful checkouts from 12 attempts, while van Veen was just a shade behind at 95.66, but crucially more clinical on doubles, hitting six from 14. “It was a tough match, but I held my nerve when it mattered,” van Veen told reporters after the game, reflecting on his ability to bounce back from his World Championship defeat.

Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, Jonny Clayton delivered a commanding 6-2 win over Premier League debutant Josh Rock. Clayton looked sharp and composed, making the most of Rock’s inexperience on the big stage. The third quarterfinal saw defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries edge out Gerwyn Price in a nail-biting 6-5 thriller. Both players traded blows, with ten consecutive legs won on throw before Humphries finally broke through to snatch the victory and keep his title defense alive. In the final quarterfinal, Michael van Gerwen showed his intent with a resounding 6-2 win over Stephen Bunting, reminding everyone that he remains a force to be reckoned with.

The semifinals brought more drama. Van Veen continued his dream debut, dispatching Jonny Clayton 6-2 to book his place in the final. Meanwhile, van Gerwen was relentless, overpowering Humphries 6-2 in a performance that echoed his vintage best. The Dutchman’s scoring power and composure under pressure were on full display, sending a warning to the rest of the field that he’s far from finished at the elite level.

In the night’s showpiece final, it was an all-Dutch affair as Gian van Veen faced Michael van Gerwen. Despite van Veen’s impressive run, van Gerwen’s experience shone through. He took control of the match early and held off a spirited comeback attempt from his compatriot, eventually sealing a 6-4 victory to claim top spot on the Premier League table after Night 1. The win was a statement from van Gerwen, who has endured a patchy 12 months by his own high standards but looked every bit the champion in Newcastle.

For van Veen, the opening night was a breakthrough, marking him as a genuine threat for the rest of the campaign. His victory over Littler, in particular, will be remembered as a coming-of-age moment. “I’ve shown I can beat the best, but now I need to do it consistently,” van Veen said post-match, echoing the sentiments of many seasoned pros.

Luke Humphries, meanwhile, remains bullish about his and Littler’s place at the top of the sport. Speaking before the tournament, Humphries declared, “I still think it is about the two of us. For someone else to come into that mix, you’ve got a lot to prove. You can’t make a couple of finals and, all of a sudden, it’s three people. You’ve got to consistently do it for many major tournaments.” Humphries, who defeated van Veen at the recent World Masters before losing to Littler in the final, knows the road ahead is long. “There are definitely two of us at the top who are consistent. There are 10 players who are just as good, they just need to perform at a consistent level, as we have.”

The Premier League’s demanding schedule, running from early February to late May, will test even the fittest and most disciplined players. Humphries, reflecting on the challenge, noted, “The new Premier League players think they’re going to play in everything but you’re not going to. You’re going to have to miss tournaments and you’re going to get burnout, so it’ll be interesting to see how they’re going to handle it.”

As the caravan moves to Antwerp’s FAS Dome for week two, the competition promises to heat up further. The quarterfinal lineup there—Littler versus Humphries, van Gerwen against Rock, Clayton facing Bunting, and Price taking on van Veen—sets the stage for more fireworks. With the Premier League’s unique format offering weekly redemption and drama, every night is a chance for new heroes to emerge and old legends to reassert their dominance.

For now, though, Michael van Gerwen sits atop the Premier League table, his Newcastle triumph a timely reminder of his enduring class. But with Littler, Humphries, van Veen, and the rest all hungry for success, this year’s Premier League Darts is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in recent memory. Don’t blink—this race is only just getting started.