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 the order of merit, including double world champion Luke Littler, current world No. 1 Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen.
Gian van Veen, who recently rose to World No. 3 after an impressive performance at Alexandra Palace, surpassed Michael van Gerwen to become the top-ranked Dutch player. The Premier League season spans 17 weeks, commencing with 16 weeks of league matches starting in Newcastle on February 5, culminating in the final at The O2 in London on May 28.
Following his recent world championship victory, Luke Littler aims to defend his title against strong contenders. Jonny Clayton, the world No. 5 and the 2021 Premier League champion, defeated Jose de Sousa in the previous final. The tournament offers a record-breaking top prize of £350,000 for the competitors.
Josh Rock, who led Northern Ireland to its first World Cup win in June, has also excelled in various televised events, including the UK Open, World Matchplay, and World Series of Darts Finals. Stephen Bunting, ranked seventh in the world, had a successful campaign with six PDC titles, including wins in the World Series and European Tour events.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed excitement about the fresh lineup for this year’s Premier League season, anticipating a thrilling competition that will captivate fans in the UK and Europe. The league format will feature 16 nights of action, consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final with the best of 11 legs. Points will be accumulated each night to determine the top four players advancing to the Finals Night.
With a focus on continuing the momentum from the recent World Championship, the organization is looking forward to hosting the BetMGM Premier League in Belgium for the first time in 2026. The competition is set to be a memorable event, building on the success and record-breaking ticket sales from the previous season.