Jonny Clayton, the reigning champion from 2021, along with Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price have been selected as the four wildcards for the upcoming BetMGM Premier League season. These four players will join the top four automatic picks based on their order of merit, including double world champion Luke Littler, current world No. 1, defending champion Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen.
Van Veen, who recently moved up to World No. 3 after an impressive performance at Alexandra Palace, surpassed van Gerwen to become the new top-ranked Dutch player. Van Gerwen, a seven-time Premier League champion, will face stiff competition from the talented lineup this season.
The Premier League season will span 17 weeks, featuring 16 weeks of league matches commencing in Newcastle on Thursday, February 5, and culminating in the final at The O2 in London on May 28. Littler, fresh off his world championship victory, aims to continue his success in the Premier League, seeking to win titles he has not yet claimed, such as the Masters and the European Championships.
Clayton, currently ranked fifth in the world, clinched the Premier League title in 2021 by defeating Jose de Sousa 11-5 in the final. The top prize for this prestigious tournament is set at a record £350,000, attracting darts’ top talents.
Rock, known for leading Northern Ireland to their first World Cup win and making multiple appearances in televised semi-finals, brings a wealth of experience to the competition. Bunting, ranked seventh globally, enjoyed a successful campaign, securing six PDC titles, including victories in World Series events in Bahrain and Copenhagen.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed excitement over the new lineup for this year’s Premier League, anticipating an entertaining season for fans across the UK and Europe. With the tournament set to travel to Belgium for the first time, Porter emphasized the high level of competition among the players and the anticipation for a memorable event following the success of the previous World Championship.
The league format will consist of 16 nights of action featuring quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, all played over the best of 11 legs. Points earned each night will determine the league standings, with the top four players progressing to the Finals Night for a chance at the title.