The world of darts is buzzing as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) officially announced its lineup for the 2025 Premier League Darts competition. Leading the charge is reigning champion Luke Littler, who will attempt to defend his title against seven other elite competitors, including the likes of Luke Humphries and Michael Van Gerwen. The Premier League is set to be another gripping season filled with excitement for fans and players alike.
At just 17 years old, Luke Littler is already making waves as one of the sport's bright stars. He clinched victory at the World Darts Championship just days before the announcement, taking home the prestigious Sid Waddell trophy and a substantial £500,000 prize money after defeating Michael Van Gerwen (reported by The Guardian). Littler earned his place not just through his recent championship win but also by finishing among the top four on the PDC Order of Merit, ensuring his automatic qualification for the tournament.
Joining Littler are world No. 1 Luke Humphries and renowned player Michael Van Gerwen, who ranked third. Both have considerable experience and have performed well across various tournaments over the past year. Humphries aims to bounce back after coming up short against Littler last season and was undoubtedly shaken by his unexpected exit at the World Championship earlier this year when he lost to Peter Wright.
Rob Cross is another notable inclusion, rounding out the automatically qualified players. He has consistently shown he’s capable of competing at the highest level, and after struggling at times, fans will look to see if he can recapture his best form. The tournament will also feature popular wildcard selections: Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey, and Nathan Aspinall. This selection brings additional excitement as each player showcases their unique style and strengths.
Stephen Bunting is making his long-awaited return to the Premier League after almost a decade, having previously played in 2015. His recent semi-final position at the World Championship has revived his popularity, making him one of the fan favorites. Price and Dobey also proved their worth with strong showings, and Aspinall aims to leverage his recent successes to make waves this season.
While the announcement brought enthusiasm, it wasn’t without disappointment as several notable players missed out. Former world champion Michael Smith ranks sixth and faced elimination early at the recent World Championship, affecting his standing. Peter Wright, who has struggled since winning the title, is another prominent omission. The cut also left out consistent performers like Gary Anderson, Dave Chisnall, and the lively Australian, Damon Heta.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter acknowledged the tough decisions to be made when selecting participants. "We have to look for the star quality and people who can perform on the big stage," he stated. These decisions are necessary, especially considering the viewing audience — approximately 10,000 fans at each venue and millions more watching at home, eager for high-quality performances.
The competition structure involves matches taking place every Thursday night from February through May. This year, the tournament returns to its established format, where players face each other once during the first weeks, before re-matching during weeks 9 through 15. The top players will then battle it out at the O2 Arena on May 29 for the playoff finals. The format assigns points based on performances, with the nightly winner receiving five points, the runner-up three, and the losing semi-finalists two.
Following last year's thrilling final, where Littler prevailed 11-7 over Humphries, the anticipation for this year’s season is palpable. Fans expect to see extraordinary matches, underlining the growth and excitement surrounding the Premier League Darts. The SSE Arena in Belfast will host the opening night of the 2025 season on February 6, 2025, heralding three months of electrifying darts action.
Each player's performance will contribute to their legacy within the Premier League, as they compete not just for the title but for £1 million in total prize money. With the combination of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the 2025 season promises to deliver unforgettable moments as the sport continues to evolve.