What's happened
The 2025 Premier League Darts season kicks off on February 6 in Belfast, featuring reigning champion Luke Littler and world No. 1 Luke Humphries. The tournament will include eight players competing for a £1 million prize pool, culminating in the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on May 29.
What's behind the headline?
Key Players and Format
- Luke Littler: The reigning champion, known for his impressive performances, will aim to defend his title after a successful 2024 season.
- Luke Humphries: As the world No. 1, he is a strong contender and will be looking to capitalize on his ranking.
- Michael van Gerwen: A former champion, he remains a significant draw and is expected to perform well despite recent setbacks.
Tournament Structure
- The tournament features an eight-person knockout format, with players guaranteed to meet each other twice in the initial rounds.
- Points are awarded based on performance, with the top four players advancing to the semi-finals.
Implications for Players
- The absence of Peter Wright means no Scottish representation, which could impact local fan engagement.
- Players like Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross are also in contention, adding depth to the competition.
The Premier League Darts 2025 promises to be an exciting season, showcasing top talent and thrilling matches across various venues.
What the papers say
According to Jack Rathborn in The Independent, the Premier League Darts 2025 will feature reigning champion Luke Littler and world No. 1 Luke Humphries, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament. Rathborn notes, 'The Littler effect continues to transform the sport,' emphasizing Littler's impact on the game.
David Hepburn from The Scotsman provides details on the tournament's structure, stating, 'Originally the tournament featured seven players, but that has since been expanded to eight.' This change reflects the growing popularity of darts and the need to accommodate more talent.
The Scotsman also mentions the absence of Peter Wright, which could affect Scottish fan engagement, as noted by Hepburn: 'No invite for Peter Wright means that there will not be a Scottish player in this year’s competition.' This highlights the significance of player representation in regional tournaments.
How we got here
The Premier League of Darts, established in 2005, is part of the sport's Triple Crown. The 2025 edition will see an expanded format with eight players, including top-ranked competitors and wildcard selections, competing across 17 venues in the UK and Europe.
Go deeper
- What are the key matches to watch in the tournament?
- How does the format of the Premier League Darts work?
- Who are the top players competing this year?
Common question
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What to Expect from the 2025 Premier League Darts Season?
The 2025 Premier League Darts season is set to kick off on February 6 in Belfast, promising an exciting lineup of matches and top-tier talent. With reigning champion Luke Littler defending his title and world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the mix, fans are eager to know what to expect this season. Below, we answer some common questions about the tournament format, key players, and historical highlights.
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More on these topics
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Luke Littler is an English professional darts player who currently plays in the Professional Darts Corporation events.
He is the current PDC World Youth Champion.
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Michael van Gerwen is a Dutch professional darts player. He is currently ranked number one in the world and is a three-time PDC World Champion, having won the title in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
Van Gerwen began playing darts at the age of 13.
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Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom and the second-largest on the island of Ireland.
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Luke Humphries is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. He won the 2019 PDC World Youth Championship.