Premier League Darts 2026 begins in Newcastle with defending champion Luke Humphries aiming for glory
The 2026 Premier League Darts gets underway this evening in Newcastle, with defending champion Luke Humphries setting his sights on a historic achievement, reports BritPanorama.
If the world number two successfully retains his crown, he would become only the third player in history to achieve back-to-back Premier League victories. Previously, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen accomplished this feat, with Taylor holding the trophy from 2005 to 2008 and Van Gerwen securing consecutive wins between 2016 and 2019, later repeating the success in 2022 and 2023.
Humphries opens his title defence against Gerwyn Price, who the champion believes is eager to re-establish his name among darts’ elite. This marks only Humphries’ third Premier League appearance, yet he has reached the final in both of his previous campaigns.
The 29-year-old is motivated by the prospect of adding another prestigious accolade to his already impressive resume. “I think it would mean a lot from the fact that I want to have these great accolades, these great things next to my name, do things that other players haven’t done,” Humphries told Sky Sports, expressing that joining Taylor and Van Gerwen in this elite club would “cement my name a bit higher up in the sport.”
Humphries feels that the 17-week format plays to his strengths, emphasizing his reliability over spectacular scoring bursts. “I am a consistent player. You won’t always see big 110 averages from me,” he explained, stating that he produces 100-plus averages more frequently than many of his competitors.
He has also made adjustments to his routine, focusing more on his health to cope with the demands of lengthy tournament schedules. “I have just been looking after my health a bit more… trying to keep myself healthy,” Humphries noted. These changes have led to incremental improvements in his game, he reported, noting that he feels more comfortable at the dartboard.
Luke Littler, the bookmakers’ favourite after defeating Humphries in the 2024 final, arrives at the tournament with substantial momentum, having also won the World Championship and World Masters earlier this year. The 18-year-old now holds the top spot in the PDC world rankings and, like Humphries, has automatically qualified for this season.
Along with Humphries and Littler, the field includes Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Price, who has wildcard entry into the eight-player lineup.
The Premier League Darts will unfold over 16 nights, encompassing venues such as Antwerp, Glasgow, Belfast, and Berlin. Each evening will serve as a standalone event featuring best-of-11-leg matches. The top four players in the standings post-16 matches will proceed to Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 28, where the victor will secure a prize of £350,000.
As the competition commences, all eyes will be on Humphries, not just to defend his title but to carve out his legacy in a sport steeped in history—fitting for an evening that promises both spectacle and intensity.
