2026 Premier League Darts lineup announced
The 2026 Premier League Darts field has been revealed, and it’s packed with talent, reports BritPanorama.
World champion Luke Littler leads the way after securing his spot automatically through the PDC Order of Merit rankings. He is joined by three other players who earned their places the same way: defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries, World Championship finalist Gian van Veen, and the ever-brilliant Michael van Gerwen. Van Gerwen knows a thing or two about this competition, having lifted the trophy a remarkable seven times throughout his career.
These four stars form the core of what promises to be another thrilling season of Thursday night darts action. The wildcard picks have also been confirmed, with Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price, and Jonny Clayton all receiving selections from the selectors.
There is only one change from last year’s lineup, with Rock taking the spot previously held by Nathan Aspinall. This is a tough break for ‘The Asp’, who made it all the way to Finals Night in the 2025 edition of the tournament. However, sitting at world number 14 in the rankings wasn’t enough to secure his place this time around.
The Northern Irish star Rock joins the Premier League, along with van Veen, both making their debuts this year, which is exciting news for fans wanting fresh faces in the competition. Rock had a strong 2025, reaching the semi-finals at both the UK Open and World Matchplay before ultimately falling during his run at Alexandra Palace.
Bunting, meanwhile, will be aiming for a much better showing after a difficult 2025 campaign. The 40-year-old lost his opening eight matches before finally securing a win on Night Nine in Berlin. He finished rock bottom of the table last season but clearly impressed enough to earn another opportunity. Clayton’s return is particularly noteworthy, as he hasn’t featured in the Premier League since 2023.
The world number five Bunting had a fantastic 2025, reaching the last four at the UK Open, World Matchplay, and World Grand Prix, along with a quarter-final spot at the World Championship. Price, despite a shock second-round exit at the Worlds, has been selected for his eighth Premier League appearance. The Welshman didn’t reach any televised ranking finals last year but consistently performed well throughout the season and made the Play-Offs in the 2025 Premier League. Humphries will defend his title when the action kicks off in February.
This upcoming season promises to be as exciting as ever, with old champions defending their titles and new talents stepping into the spotlight.
