The roar of the crowd is about to reach a fever pitch. Premier League Darts is back, bigger than ever, poised to welcome over 150,000 passionate fans – a testament to a transformation two decades in the making. It’s a world away from the humble beginnings in 2005, when Phil Taylor claimed the inaugural title and a £50,000 prize.
Now, victory brings a staggering £275,000 reward, a figure Luke Humphries earned last year. Even defeat isn’t a small consolation, with runner-up Luke Littler taking home £125,000. The stakes have never been higher, and the arenas reflect that ambition.
The days of smaller venues like Wellsprings Centre and Glades Arena are long gone. Sell-out crowds now pack the 3Arena in Dublin, the Uber Arena in Berlin, and the newly added AFAS Dome in Antwerp, signaling the sport’s explosive international growth. Earning a place amongst the elite eight has always been a battle, but the current rewards amplify the pressure tenfold.
This year’s lineup – Humphries, Littler, van Veen, van Gerwen, Price, Clayton, Rock, and Bunting – sparked debate amongst fans. Who deserved a spot? Who was a controversial inclusion? Matt Porter, the PDC’s chief executive, reveals the complex process behind those crucial selections.
“It tends to happen towards the back end of the World Championship,” Porter explains. “It’s funny how people discuss it in September and October, because that’s way before we even begin seriously considering it. So much can change.” The selection isn’t based on a single metric, but a carefully considered package.
“We look at rankings, form, personality, popularity, on-stage presence – it’s a whole package. It’s unfair to suggest someone is only in because of their walk-on. We assess every aspect of what a player brings to the table. And frankly, universal agreement is impossible, which is a good thing. It means people care.”
Stephen Bunting’s inclusion proved particularly divisive, given his last-place finish in the 2025 tournament and early World Championship exit. Porter defends the decision, highlighting Bunting’s world ranking and consistent performance throughout the year. “Stephen finished the year ranked number seven and won six tournaments. He’s a popular player, and jettisoning him after one year felt wrong.”
However, that decision meant another player missed out. “Danny Noppert probably had the strongest case to feel unlucky. He was very, very close to being selected.” Porter acknowledges the difficult choices involved, noting that James Wade’s strong start to the year ultimately faded, allowing others to outperform him in the latter half of the season.
Despite ongoing discussions, the Premier League format remains largely unchanged. Porter anticipates future adjustments, but insists the current system is working. “The live crowds and TV audience numbers are improving. As long as people continue buying tickets and tuning in, we’ll stick with what’s proven successful.”
The format isn’t without its critics. Sixteen-time world champion Phil Taylor recently argued that the frequent matchups diminish the impact of rivalries. “You need rivalry, but not week in and week out. It becomes less exciting.” Porter acknowledges the repetition, but defends the format’s appeal to fans eager to see top matchups in their cities.
“If you’re in Nottingham, you want to see Littler versus Humphries. It’s difficult to deny people that opportunity. And the short format games provide enough variety. Besides, how many tennis fans complain about watching Federer versus Nadal?”
This year marks the biggest Premier League Darts event in history, with over 150,000 tickets sold. The addition of Antwerp to the schedule reflects the sport’s growing global reach. “We identified Antwerp because of the growth of darts in Belgium. We’re not a UK company; we’re a global company, and the sport needs to spread.”
The PDC’s recent foray into Saudi Arabia with the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters offered a different atmosphere. Porter describes the event as “interesting,” noting the more restrained crowd but also the significant local interest. “It went as well as we’d hoped.”
Players adapted to the unique environment, familiarizing themselves with the arenas before the crowds arrived. Porter doesn’t foresee a significant expansion into Saudi Arabia beyond the initial event. “One event in a developing country is the right approach at this stage.”
Looking ahead, the ambition is clear: continued growth and increased prize money. Discussions about a potential £5 million winner’s prize at the World Championship are underway. “Who’d have thought we’d be paying £1 million ten years ago? As the sport grows, we’ll continue to deliver across all events.”
But perhaps the most exciting development is the emergence of a “frightening” new generation of darts stars. “The talent base is remarkable. The number of teenagers throwing 100 averages and nine-dart finishes is astonishing.”
The sport is undeniably becoming younger, with the average age of players steadily decreasing. “It’s a sport young people are entering because there’s a genuine career path. There are very few barriers to entry, meaning natural talent is the only real denominator.”
For Matt Porter, it’s been an incredible 25-year journey alongside Barry Hearn, from Leyton Orient press officer to PDC chief executive. “Every day is a different challenge. We’ve grown so much organically. It’s been a remarkable transformation.”
“We haven’t reinvented the wheel; we’ve simply delivered products that people want to engage with and enjoy. And at the moment, that’s going really well.” The future of darts is bright, and the Premier League is leading the charge.
