The 2026 Premier League Darts lineup has been confirmed, and predictably, it’s sparked plenty of debate. World Champion Luke Littler headlines the eight-player field alongside Luke Humphries, but it’s the wildcard selections that have got fans and pundits talking.
The Full Lineup
The top four players in the PDC Order of Merit following the World Championship automatically qualified: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen.
The PDC’s wildcard picks to complete the field are Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.
Van Veen’s extraordinary run to the World Championship final saw him leap to world number three and overtake Van Gerwen as the new Dutch number one, earning his automatic spot in the process.
Bunting’s Inclusion Under Fire
Of all the selections, Stephen Bunting’s has caused the most controversy. The St Helens thrower endured a torrid time in the 2025 Premier League, failing to win a single match in the opening eight weeks before eventually being eliminated.
Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle didn’t mince his words: “I’m slightly surprised at Stephen Bunting. He’s had a decent enough year but not as good as some in my opinion. He can consider himself a little fortunate.”
Former professional Chris Mason was even more direct. “He did his good work mostly at the start of the year, but that was basically undone by the Premier League. And if you look at his last five TV tournaments, it just wasn’t good enough. Do I think he should be in? No.”
Mason went further, suggesting a year away from the Premier League could have actually benefited Bunting, giving him space to reset without the weekly pressure and public scrutiny.
Bunting was quick to defend his selection on social media: “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have been selected for this year’s Premier League. I accept the back end of the year didn’t go too well, but with six tournament wins in 2025 I would have been gutted not to have been selected.”
Noppert’s Painful Snub
If Bunting’s inclusion raised eyebrows, Danny Noppert’s absence left many scratching their heads. The Dutchman reached the semi-finals of four major tournaments in 2025, including the World Grand Prix, European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts and World Masters.
“Danny Noppert has been really unlucky,” Mardle said. “Nathan Aspinall had a squeak, but Noppert, I feel… what’s he got to do? He won the UK Open a few years ago. Since then, he’s got better and better. Maybe he’s got to reach a final or win one, but Stephen hasn’t done that this year.”
The elephant in the room is Noppert’s nationality. With Van Gerwen and Van Veen already in the lineup, there may have been commercial reluctance to include a third Dutch player. It’s hard to argue Noppert’s omission is based purely on sporting merit.
His early World Championship exit, losing in the second round to debutant Justin Hood after missing a match dart in a sudden-death leg, can’t have helped his cause either.
Aspinall Dropped After Finals Night Appearance
Nathan Aspinall won’t feature in the Premier League for the first time since 2022, despite making it all the way to Finals Night in the 2025 edition. The current world number 14’s form in major televised events hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant another wildcard, though he did win three Euro Tour events last year.
Aspinall’s departure opens the door for fresh blood, and the PDC has certainly delivered on that front.
Fresh Faces: Rock and Van Veen
Josh Rock becomes the first Northern Irish player in Premier League history, a selection few would argue against. The 23-year-old inspired Northern Ireland to their maiden World Cup of Darts victory in June and reached televised semi-finals at the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Series of Darts Finals.
Rock’s raw talent has been evident for years, but 2025 saw him break into the world’s top ten for the first time. His inclusion feels long overdue.
Van Veen’s automatic qualification caps a remarkable rise for the 23-year-old Dutchman. Just 18 months ago, he was outside the world’s top 50. His run to the World Championship final, which included a stunning quarter-final victory over Luke Humphries, has announced him as a genuine force in the sport.
Clayton’s Return
Jonny Clayton’s absence from the Premier League has felt strange. The 2021 champion, still ranked world number five, hasn’t featured in the competition since 2022.
Clayton’s form in 2025 justified his recall. He reached televised finals at the World Masters and World Cup of Darts, plus semi-finals at the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. The Ferret is back where he belongs.
The Tournament Details
The 22nd edition of Premier League Darts begins on Thursday 5 February at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle. The 17-week roadshow will visit major cities across the UK and Ireland, with European stops in Berlin, Rotterdam and, for the first time, Antwerp.
The champion will pocket £350,000, an increase of £75,000 from last year. Each night’s winner receives a £10,000 bonus.
The Verdict
On balance, the PDC has assembled a compelling lineup. Littler and Humphries provide the star power, Van Veen and Rock bring youthful excitement, and the Welsh contingent of Clayton and Price ensures there’ll be no shortage of passion on stage.
But Noppert’s omission leaves a sour taste. Four major semi-finals in a single year is a remarkable achievement, and watching Bunting walk out week after week instead will frustrate many fans who believe ‘The Freeze’ deserved his shot.
Then again, controversy is nothing new in Premier League selection. It wouldn’t be darts without something to argue about down the pub.
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