Premier League Darts 2026: Luke Humphries to reignite, Josh Rock and Gian van Veen try to impress, as Michael van Gerwen makes his mark
Ahead of the Premier League Darts 2026, we take a look at some of the key storylines to follow in the tournament as Luke Humphries defends his title; watch Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports every Thursday from February 5 to May 28
Monday 2 February 2026 23:59, UK
The Premier League Darts 2026 is nearly upon us and with it, all eyes turn to what the eight players can achieve on darts' biggest roadshow.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price will battle it out over 16 weeks to try and make it to Finals Night at London's O2 Arena on May 28.
Throughout those weeks, each player will experience highs, lows, and everything in between but in the end if they are in that final four, they will have had a race well run and know it is down to themselves whether they will be taking home the coveted title.
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There are debutants with a point to prove, old heads who want to show their worth, and a couple of Lukes at the top of the pile.
Let's take a look at the key storylines for the Premier League of Darts 2026...
Time for a dream debut?
Two players who will certainly want to make their mark on the Premier League circuit are Van Veen and Rock who make their debuts.
As world No 3, Van Veen automatically qualified for the Premier League after his run all the way to the World Darts Championship final in January.
However, as a newcomer in the world's top four and the Dutch No 1, snatching the crown from Van Gerwen, he will want to show that he belongs where he is ranked.
Van Veen secured his maiden TV major title with European Championship victory over Humphries in Dortmund then defeated Humphries once again plus Gary Anderson to set up his world final clash with Littler.
He has been showing he can be one of the big boys, now it is about embracing that and doing it for at least 16 weeks straight.
Meanwhile, Rock was picked as a wildcard and with his pacy game, the 24-year-old is tipped to mix it with his seven competitors.
He was a semi-finalist at the World Matchplay and UK Open, and inspired Northern Ireland to a maiden World Cup victory in June of last year alongside Daryl Gurney.
If Wayne Mardle is correct, the Premier League is a format that could help Rock shine.
"Josh is one of those players that will relish it," said the Sky Sports pundit.
"He's a fiery character and he seems to thrives on the competition. The Premier League is all that - it's the big stage, it's competition, it's relentless."
Bunting to show he 'deserves spot'
The one inclusion in the Premier League 2026 that raised the most eyebrows was Bunting.
Bunting is the current world No 7 but had a really tough campaign in the Premier League last year. He finished bottom of last year's Premier League and failed to win more than one match at any of the majors following July's World Matchplay.
He did win two World Series events and two European Tour events, which 'The Bullet' himself believes strengthens his case for inclusion.
Indeed, many believed it was between Bunting and Nathan Aspinall for the eighth spot in this year's Premier League but Bunting said he did not like that there was a question mark over his spot and that he had earned another go in 2026.
"I am a bit disappointed people thought it was between me and Nathan to be honest," Bunting said.
"I believe I deserve to be in, I am world No 7, I had a great year last year, I won six tournaments, and I was in 10 finals.
"It is one of them - I have got a great fanbase, I have got a great walk-on, I know people don't talk about the walk-ons.
"I honestly believe I deserve to be in there and I am going to show everyone that I deserve to be in there."
MVG to prove a point
He has won the Premier League a record seven times but in 2025 Van Gerwen missed out on Finals Night for just the second time in his trophy-laden career.
Remarkably, MVG just could not find a nightly win in 2025 and as a result, he suffered a dismal campaign by his standards.
However, is this the moment that the Dutchman reasserts his dominance?
After a tough World Darts Championship, where he was eliminated before the quarter-finals for the first time since 2016 by Gary Anderson, 'Mighty Mike' has had a strong start to 2026.
He started by picking up the Bahrain Darts Masters title and then made it to the final at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters before he was beaten by Luke Littler.
He says he feels good, is in the zone, and now he wants to reclaim the Premier League as his tournament.
Humphries' hopes of holding on to title
Humphries heads into the Premier League this year as the reigning champion and if he can hold onto that title, it would really send a statement.
Indeed, that Premier League victory is Humphries' last major title.
He has made it to many a final but not got over the line, Littler usually stopping him in his tracks, and after crashing out of the worlds in the quarters, darts' biggest roadshow is a massive opportunity to reassert himself and show exactly why he is world No 2.
The talent is clearly there, the format suits his quick style, it is time for Humphries to reignite the Luke vs Luke rivalry.
Records on the line
Littler enjoys breaking a record or two and that is no different when it comes to the Premier League.
He became the youngest winner with his victory back in 2024, hitting a nine-darter in the process, and since then has torn up the statistics.
Despite not winning the whole thing in 2025, Littler had the most dominant campaign since the inception of the format.
Littler picked up six victories, appeared in more than half of the nightly finals, picked up more than half the 80 points available (45), and hit 10 180s in just one match.
2026 for Littler will be about breaking his own records but also making sure the trophy is his once again.
Welsh No 1 vs Welsh No 2
Two Welsh players, two former Premier League champions, and a moment for Clayton to show why he is the Welsh No 1.
Clayton and Price will first face off in a quarter-final on Night Three in Glasgow but all eyes will be on them on Night Five when we head to Cardiff- the reception will be electric!
While Price has been a mainstay in the Premier League, 2021 champion 'The Ferret' makes his return after a brace of televised finals at the World Masters and World Cup of Darts, having also reached the semi-finals of the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.
The rankings have him quite a few spots above 'The Iceman' but it would be a shock if there is a bit of friendly back and forth between the two about who is on top across the 16 weeks.
There are just storylines everywhere and that is before the action has even begun!
Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday from February until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
