How does darts work in the Premier League? Here's a guide to everything you need to know about the tournament, which you can watch live on Sky Sports between February and May.
Premier League Darts is an annual PDC tournament founded in 2005. It is not one of the seven major ranked leagues, but one of six non-ranked television leagues.
Matches take place every Thursday night between February and May, and are held in various venues across the UK, Ireland and Europe, which includes Germany and the Netherlands.
Who participates in the Darts Premier League?
The English Premier League boasts eight of the best players in the world. The top four players on the PDC Order of Merit automatically qualify, and are joined by four wildcards, determined by the PDC. And so Littler, who was ranked outside the top 150 on the Order of Merit 12 months ago, was selected for last year's tournament.
The 2025 squad will be revealed exclusively live on Sky Sports News from 4.30pm on Monday 6 January.
What is coordination?
In the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the Stars were joined by a different 'rival' who competed against one of their regulars – John Henderson comes to mind when he delighted his home crowd in Aberdeen with a memorable draw against Michael van Gerwen.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
John Henderson impressed Aberdeen fans when he returned as a Premier League contender in 2020
Since 2022, the format has changed so that an eight-person knockout bracket is contested each night.
The players meet each other once in Weeks 1-7 and again in Weeks 9-15, with Weeks 8 and 16 determined based on league standings.
Each player's performance each night will earn them points that will determine their place in the Premier League table, and the points system is as follows.
- winner: 5 points
- runner up: 3 points
- Two losses in the semi-finals: 2 points
After Week 16, the top four in the league will compete for the semi-finals and final, with the first playing for fourth place and the second for third place.
The semi-finals will be played on the final night at London's O2 Arena over 19 matches, while the final will be played over 21 matches.
Difficult selection process
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Highlights from the 2024 World Grand Prix between Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker
PDC chief executive Matt Porter admits it will be “difficult” to pick names for this year's tournament with so many top players failing to reach the top levels last year.
He said Sky Sports“We have to look for star quality and people who can perform on the big stage.
“It will be an interesting announcement. We certainly won't please everyone but we feel we have to make the right decisions for the millions who will watch the matches on TV and the 150,000 who will join us in the big arenas.”
“Whatever decision we make, as long as people are talking about it, we've made the right decision.”
Who won the Premier League title?
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Luke Littler won the Premier League in his first season after defeating Luke Humphreys 11-7 in the final
The defending champion is Luke 'The Nuke' Littler. The newly crowned World Champion teenager from Warrington won the Premier League title in his first season, with a memorable 11-7 win over Luke Humphreys as he bagged his fourth goal of 2024.
Michael van Gerwen has won seven titles (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023).
He has overtaken Phil Taylor as the Championship's most successful player, with Taylor winning six titles during his career (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012).
Gary Anderson has won it twice (2011, 2015) while James Wade (2009), Raymond van Barneveld (2013), Glenn Durrant (2020) and Johnny Clayton (2021) have each won one title.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Find out how MVG won a record seventh Premier League title at the O2 Arena in London…
2025 BetMGM Premier League confirmed dates
A capacity crowd of 14,000 turned out to London's O2 Arena to watch Littler claim his first Premier League title in May.
Night 1 – SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday 6 February
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday 13 February
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday 20 February
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday 27 February
Night 5 – Brighton Center – Thursday 6 March
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday 13 March
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday 20 March
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday 27 March
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday 3 April
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday 10 April
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday 17 April
Night 12 – M&S Bank Stadium, Liverpool – Thursday 24 April
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday 1 May
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday 8 May
Night 15 – Live from P&J, Aberdeen – Thursday 15 May
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday 22 May
Playoffs – The O2, London – Thursday 29 May
Watch English Premier League matches on Sky Sports
Littler will be aiming to defend his Darts Premier League title
Watch all the events from Premier League on Sky Sports with Luke Littler aims to defend his title. The new Premier League season kicks off in Belfast on Thursday 6 February, with the return of darts' biggest party.
Who will be in the Premier League squad? Watch it live on Sky Sports News from 4.30pm on Monday 6 January and watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more of the best sports with NOW.