The 2025 Premier League Darts line-up has been officially unveiled, featuring top players ready to compete for glory. Among them is North East sensation Chris Dobey, who expressed his thrill at the opportunity to participate alongside the world champion Luke Littler.
On Monday, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) confirmed the list of eight players who will take to the stage starting February 6, 2025. Along with Dobey and Littler, the competitors include Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, and Nathan Aspinall.
Dobey, who hails from Bedlington, reflected on his selection, stating, “I’m buzzing to be part of it, it’s another step in the right direction for my career,” as reported by The Northern Echo. The player emphasized the prestige of the Premier League, comparing it to the World Championships and highlighting the significant venues where matches will take place.
“You get to play with the elite week in, week out,” he added, eager to showcase his talent at the big arenas where darts fans gather. With the league stage set to tour various cities across the UK, excitement is building for the Newcastle event scheduled for March.
Historically, the Premier League has garnered attention and respect within the darts community. The first night kicks off at the SSE Arena, Belfast, and runs weekly through to May, culminating with the finals at the O2 Arena in London.
Dobey, known for his passionate support of Newcastle United, eagerly anticipates returning to play at Utilita Arena Newcastle on March 27. The chance to compete on home soil brings additional motivation, as he looks forward to changing his walk-on song back to the Geordie anthem 'Local Hero', which energizes local fans.
“It’s something special, and something I’m definitely looking forward to,” Dobey added, highlighting the significance of playing for hometown supporters.
Despite the excitement, the announcement of the line-up has not been without controversy. Some fans voiced disappointment at the exclusion of notable players such as World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker and UK Open champion Dimitri van den Berg. Dobey understood their frustration, reminiscing, “I was in the same situation last year where I felt I played pretty well consistently and was just overlooked.”
He suggested De Decker could have earned his spot with stronger performances during the World Championships but was optimistic about the ability of those left out to come back even stronger.
The PDC confirmed the wild card selections for this year's league included Dobey, Price, Aspinall, and Bunting, who each demonstrated impressive performances during the past events. According to PDC chief executive Matt Porter, decisions were made not just based on rankings but also on the players’ potential to attract and excite crowds. "We want people on the edge of their seats,” he explained.
The full schedule for the 2025 Premier League Darts has been laid out, showcasing matches taking place every Thursday evening across 17 different venues ranging from Belfast to London. Each of the scheduled nights will host fierce competition, as all eight players aim for the title and the substantial prize money on the line.
Matches will be contested every Thursday from February 6 to May 29, with key locations including Exeter, Cardiff, Nottingham, and several others. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as fans flock to see their favorite players battle it out for the prestigious title.
Littler, who is not only the defending champion but also the reigning world champion, is set to defend his title against formidable opponents, including world No. 1 Humphries and multiple-time champion van Gerwen. These competitors earned automatic invitations based on their high rankings, adding to the star-studded nature of this year's line-up.
The pinnacle of the tournament will culminate at the O2 Arena, where the top four players based on their performances throughout the league will contest the semi-finals and finals.
The league has become synonymous with high-caliber darts since its inception, and with this line-up, the 2025 season promises to deliver thrilling action for darts fans around the globe.
Most fans are eager to see how the newly selected players will perform against well-established stars. The collective experience and exhilarating talent brought together for this year's Premier League is definitely set to make for compelling viewing.
With just weeks to go, anticipation builds as fans prepare to witness the talent, drama, and excitement of the 2025 Premier League Darts tour. The challenge is on, and who will emerge victorious? Only time will tell as the players set out to prove their mettle on the big stage.