Premier League Darts: Thrilling line-up announced for Sky Live action in 2014
A thrilling line-up has been revealed for the 2014 Premier League, including colourful new crowd favourite Peter Wright.
Last Updated: 09/01/14 11:08pm
Scottish-born Wright has been rewarded for his success in reaching the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship final with his first appearance in darts' roadshow tournament.
Chisnall, meanwhile, has risen into the world's top five, which has included a run to the World Grand Prix final, a European Tour win and two Players Championship victories, with his debut in Premier League Darts.
New World champion Michael van Gerwen, who won the Premier League Darts title in his debut season in 2013, will defend his title this season alongside six-time champion Phil Taylor and 2011 winner Gary Anderson, who is one of the Sky Sports Wildcards in the event.
Former Premier League Darts finalists Adrian Lewis and Simon Whitlock are joined by Raymond van Barneveld, a six-time semi-finalist in the tournament, while Robert Thornton and Wes Newton retain their places after making their Premier League Darts debuts in 2013.
"This is a fantastic line-up for the 2014 Premier League Darts and I congratulate Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall on their selection, which is fully deserved after their brilliant years," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"The Premier League Darts has always guaranteed excitement, shocks and world-class darts, and this line-up of ten players is sure to provide that by the bucket-load!
"We'll be welcoming record crowds for the Premier League Darts and also visiting the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and Leeds' First Direct Arena for the first time in what promises to be a memorable four months."
Debate
Hearn added: "There is always going to be debate and discussion over which players are included but the Wildcards chosen both by ourselves and Sky Sports provide a great mix of quality, experience and personalities.
"Many more players came into consideration due to the incredibly high standard now on the PDC circuit, particularly Andy Hamilton and Kim Huybrechts, as well as James Wade.
"James has enjoyed six great years in Premier League Darts and was a worthy champion in 2009, however this year we believe that he would benefit from a break from the pressures and travel of competing in the tournament to continue his treatment for his well-documented health issues."
The 16-week Premier League Darts campaign initially sees the ten players play each other once, before the bottom two are relegated after Judgement Night on week nine.
The remaining eight players will then meet once more over the next six weeks before the top four players progress to the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on Thursday May 22.
2014 Premier League Darts Competitors
Phil Taylor - 16-time World Champion
Michael van Gerwen - Reigning Premier League Darts Champion
Simon Whitlock - 2012 European Champion
Adrian Lewis - 2011 & 2012 World Champion
Dave Chisnall - 2013 World Grand Prix Runner-Up
Peter Wright - 2014 World Championship Finalist
Wes Newton - Two-time Major Finalist
Robert Thornton - 2012 UK Open Champion
Raymond van Barneveld - Five-Time World Champion
Gary Anderson - 2011 Premier League Darts Champion
2014 Premier League Darts - Dates & Venue
Night One February 6 Echo Arena, Liverpool
Night Two February 13 BIC, Bournemouth
Night Three February 20 Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Night Four February 27 SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Night Five March 6 Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Night Six March 13 Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
Night Seven March 20 First Direct Arena, Leeds
Night Eight March 27 The O2, Dublin
Night Nine April 3 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Night Ten April 10 Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Night 11 April 17 GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen
Night 12 April 24 Phones 4u Arena, Manchester
Night 13 May 1 NIA, Birmingham
Night 14 May 8 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Night 15 May 15 The Brighton Centre
Play-Offs May 22 The O2, London
