Van Veen and Rock to Make BetMGM Premier League Debuts in 2026
The 2026 BetMGM Premier League will feature a fresh lineup of players, including the talented Gian van Veen and Josh Rock, who will make their debut appearances. Reigning champion Luke Humphries and World Champion Luke Littler will headline the star-studded tournament, which promises to be a thrilling spectacle for darts fans.
Littler's remarkable 2025 season saw him retain the Sid Waddell Trophy, becoming only the fourth player in PDC history to win back-to-back World Championship titles. With his sights set on another Premier League triumph, the 18-year-old joins an elite group of eight players competing for a record-breaking £350,000 top prize across 17 weeks of intense action from February to May.
Humphries, the world number two, secured his Premier League success after winning the World Masters in January, followed by runner-up finishes at the World Grand Prix, European Championship, and Grand Slam of Darts. However, the 2026 edition will introduce a new dynamic with the inclusion of van Veen and Rock.
Van Veen, the European Champion, soared to world number three following his impressive run at Alexandra Palace, dethroning Michael van Gerwen as the new Dutch number one. He will join forces with the seven-time Premier League champion, who returned to the winner's circle with a memorable victory in September's World Series of Darts Finals.
Rock, a World Cup winner with Northern Ireland, inspired his team to their maiden World Cup victory in June, while also reaching televised semi-finals at the UK Open, World Matchplay, and World Series of Darts Finals. Adding to the excitement, 2021 champion Jonny Clayton returns after featuring in televised finals at the World Masters and World Cup of Darts, as well as reaching semi-finals at various prestigious events.
Clayton will be joined by his World Cup partner, Gerwyn Price, who enjoyed a resurgence in form in 2025, winning five ranking titles and landing two nine-darters during the Premier League. Completing the eight-player lineup is Stephen Bunting, who claimed six PDC titles, including World Series wins in Bahrain and Copenhagen, as well as European Tour successes in Riesa and Basel.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed his enthusiasm for the fresh lineup, stating, 'There's a new look to this year's lineup, which will surely entertain our incredible crowds across the UK and Europe.' The selection process was challenging due to the exceptional standard of darts witnessed over the past 12 months.
Looking ahead, the 2026 BetMGM Premier League, commencing in Newcastle on February 5, will feature intense competition across 16 nights, with each league night comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final over the best of 11 legs. Points will be awarded nightly, determining the league table, from which the top four players will advance to the Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 28.
The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for the rest of the world. With record-breaking ticket sales for the 2026 season, this year's event promises to be a memorable and highly anticipated occasion for darts enthusiasts.
