Premier League darts announcement LIVE: Full line-up revealed as Luke Littler leads the way but three champs to be AXED
THE PREMIER League Darts announcement is taking place today - with THREE former world champions at risk of being axed.
The tournament's holder and current world champ Luke Littler will be looking to retain his title won during his unprecedented first 12 months in the sport.
Littler will compete in the 17-week extravaganza alongside some of the sport's biggest names, including Michael van Gerwen and World No1 Humphries.
But THREE former world champs are at risk of being axed from the blockbuster tournament.
- Start time: 4.30pm GMT
- TV channel: Sky Sports News
- Explainer: Full Premier League Darts schedule
Follow ALL the latest updates with our live blog below...
Aspinall tells Premier League to snub rivals
Nathan Aspinall has told the Premier League to leave out Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Price over previous comments.
The Asp has suggested that Price and Anderson should be left out of the eight-man lineup after they both claimed they didn't want to have to play in a different city every week for 16 weeks in the past.
In an interview last month, Aspinall claimed their spots should be given to people willing to commit to the schedule.
You know what, it really grates on me [players saying they don't want to play in the Premier League].
Im really good mates with Gary Anderson, really good mates with Gerwyn Price, but if they don't want it, don't give it to them whether they deserve it or not.
Why should they get that spot when people like myself, okay I've had a bad year and I don't deserve it, but I want it and I will bring something.
I will give 110 per cent every single night on that stage. If they can't be arsed, why put them in? I just don't get it. I don't even know why the PDC would consider it. If they put them in it looks bad on the PDC in my opinion.
Nathan Aspinall
Out of Luk
Luke Littler is old enough to win the Premier League and World Championship, but not old enough to buy his own darts...
It is illegal for retailers to sell him a set of arrows because they are classed as age-restricted items like knives.
Shops face a fine of up to £5,000 if they sell darts to Littler or any youngster under 18.
Just another reminder of how remarkable The Nuke's achievements are at this age.
Premier League prize money
We don't know exactly what this year's Premier League prize pot will be, but it's likely to be similar to the amount on offer last year.
Here's a break down of the 2024 cash...
- Winner: £275,000
- Second: £125,000
- Semi-Finalists: £85,000 each
- Fifth: £75,000
- Sixth: £70,000
- Seventh: £65,000
- Eighth: £60,000
- Weekly Winner: £10,000
Smith urged to skip Premier League
Michael Smith has been urged to avoid playing in this year's Premier League in order to find his best form once again.
Bully Boy failed to live up to his usual standard last year and has been urged to pick and choose his events in order to reach his top level by former major winner Paul Nicholson.
, Nicholson said: "I actually think this is a good thing for Michael Smith [to miss the Premier League lineup], because I think this is a chance for him to re-establish a time away from the Premier League, because I don't think he should be in it.
"Do a calendar for the year well in advance and say, ‘I'm going to these definitely’. Just leave a few [events] with an asterisk against them. ‘I'll go to these if I need to go to these’.
"This is how golfers prepare their seasons. When does Rory [McIlroy] ever play more than three weeks in a row? If he has to, that's it. End of story."
Premier League darts schedule
So we're only about six hours away from knowing the Premier League lineup.
But where will the eight superstars be showing off their tungsten tossing talents? And when will they be doing it?
Here's a look at the full schedule for the 2025 Premier League of Darts...
- Night 1 - The SSE Arena, Belfast - Thursday February 6
- Night 2 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow - Thursday February 13
- Night 3 - 3Arena, Dublin - Thursday February 20
- Night 4 - Westpoint Exeter - Thursday February 27
- Night 5 - The Brighton Centre - Thursday March 6
- Night 6 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham - Thursday March 13
- Night 7 - Utilita Arena, Cardiff - Thursday March 20
- Night 8 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle - Thursday March 27
- Night 9 - Uber Arena, Berlin - Thursday April 3
- Night 10 - AO Arena, Manchester - Thursday April 10
- Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam - Thursday April 17
- Night 12 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool - Thursday April 24
- Night 13 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
- Night 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds - Thursday May 8
- Night 15 - P&J Live, Aberdeen - Thursday May 15
- Night 16 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield - Thursday May 22
- Play-Offs - The O2, London - Thursday May 29
Phil's Littler tips
Phil Taylor believes Luke Littler is young enough and good enough to beat his record 16 world titles.
But Taylor has given the teenage sensation two tips to stay at the top — comfortable shoes and a personal mattress topper.
The Power, 64, said: If I could give him one piece of advice, or one tip to help him stay at the top, it wouldn’t be anything to do with his darts or the way he navigates his way around the board.
“I would tell him shoes. If you’re not standing comfortably on the oche, you’re not going to hit a target the size of your little fingernail, so make sure your shoes fit perfectly — and take two or three pairs with you everywhere.
“And sleep. Make sure you get enough rest. I still take a mattress topper with me everywhere I go because some hotel beds are like sleeping in the middle of the road.
"Your darts won’t go where you want them to land if you are bleary-eyed after a restless night.”
Who could make the cut?
It's fair to say that there's a few big names that we are certain will be touring the nation for the Premier League this year.
It's a no-brainer that the likes of Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries will be chosen for the eight-man lineup.
But who else is in the mix?
Here's a look a some of the names that will be in consideration...
- Rob Cross
- Stephen Bunting
- Gerwyn Price
- Damon Heta
- Michael Smith
- Nathan Aspinall
- Callan Rydz
- Chris Dobey
- Peter Wright
- Mike De Decker
- Dave Chisnall
- Gary Anderson
Premier League lineup
Today's the day! The eight-strong Premier League Darts lineup will be announced this afternoon.
Eight of the best players in the world will be chosen to travel the UK and Europe slinging tungsten for cash from February to May.
The announcement is set to take place at 4:30pm this afternoon.
You can tune into a broadcast of the announcement on Sky Sports or follow the action on our live blog RIGHT HERE.
Littler's goal
LUKE LITTLER is aiming to become the greatest darts player in history – perhaps by the age of 40.
Bookies have made him 33-1 to reach 17 world championships and Littler said: “I want to become one of the best of all time.
“It will take however many times. Phil Taylor won many. I know Michael has won 100-plus titles and three worlds.
“But for myself, I want to win as much as I can.
“I just want to pick up every title. Obviously that’s what people will be looking into, after I won my first world title so young.
“But if I want it, then I’m sure deep down I can go do it.
“I’ve said previously I would like to win one of every major and then add on to them.
“But I could be chasing Michael’s three titles – and potentially Phil’s 16.”
Trophy cabinet
LUKE Littler has revealed where the Sid Waddell trophy will go his in swish Warrington mansion.
He said: “When we moved into the house, there were two cabinets on either side of the TV.
“We were like: ‘There’s only one thing going in there, and that’s all the trophies.’
“Will I get a man cave? Not at the minute. I just have to see where it goes.
“Yeah, I’m very different to a normal 17-year-old. I am glad I’ve gotten into this darts world.
“I don’t go out, wandering around the streets. I have really knuckled down on this sport.”
MVG 'wasn't good enough'
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN'S friend slammed his performance against Luke Littler as "unforgivable" and "not good enough".
Vincent van der Voort, who is a two-time quarter-finalist at Alexandra Palace and close pals with Van Gerwen, criticised his start to the match.
Van der Voort told the Darts Draait Door podcast: "He is so upset about the first four sets.
"He finds that incomprehensible and unforgivable for himself at that moment. You notice that he is so disappointed.
"If Gian [van Veen] comes second at this World Championship, he will think it was a really top tournament. But if you have already won it three times, then you experience second place very differently.
"Second is a very good performance. Out of 96 men, biggest tournament of the year.
"But if you have won it three times, you think it does not count."
'The game that really mattered'
LUKE LITTLER has picked out the "game that really mattered" on his journey to becoming the youngest ever PDC world champion.
Just moments after defeating MVG, Littler said: “I said in interviews that I needed to get to a quick start and that’s what I did.
“Michael was behind me, he was right behind me the whole way through.
“The first game against Ryan Meikle was the game that really mattered. Throughout I have settled.
“At 2-0 up, I started getting nervous, but I told myself to relax. To get it over and done with, that was special.”
Upcoming darts schedule
Can't wait for the darts in 2025?
Well, the schedule is action-packed? Can Luke Littler repeat his heroics?
See the full calendar below
Littler's rise
LUKE Littler's rise continues to move more rapidly than pal Lando Norris tearing around a race track.
The teenage sensation, still only 17, has taken the darts world by storm - conquering all in front of him.
His spectacular victory over Michael van Gerwen to win the World Darts Final confirmed his place as one of sport's greatest prodigies.
Littler has also become a millionaire in just 12 months - thanks to success on the oche, as well as savvy sponsorship deals.
Winning the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and starring on the ITV reboot of Bullseye over the Christmas period has thrusted him into popular culture outside of the arrows.
And his historic victory at Ally Pally has cemented his place as one of the nation's favourites.
And he's done this all before he can legally sink a pint in a pub.
So, what's next for Littler and where can he go?
SunSport has a look at what awaits the Nuke in the next 12 months, with insight from PR expert Mark Borkowski.
Littler's TV gold
THE Christmas telly ratings battle involved the usual clash of comedies, soaps and dramas – but for ITV, it turns out you can’t beat a bit of Bully.
With the dust finally settled on the holiday period, it’s emerged that the festive one-off of Bullseye, hosted by Freddie Flintoff, has now been watched almost 8million times.
Luke Littler appeared on the reboot, wowing fans with his darts skills.
Taylor gives Littler two tips
PHIL TAYLOR believes Luke Littler is young enough and good enough to beat his record 16 world titles.
But Taylor has given the teenage sensation two tips to stay at the top — comfortable shoes and a personal mattress topper.
“If I could give him one piece of advice, or one tip to help him stay at the top, it wouldn’t be anything to do with his darts or the way he navigates his way around the board," he said.
“I would tell him shoes.
“If you’re not standing comfortably on the oche, you’re not going to hit a target the size of your little fingernail, so make sure your shoes fit perfectly — and take two or three pairs with you everywhere.
“And sleep. Make sure you get enough rest.
“I still take a mattress topper with me everywhere I go because some hotel beds are like sleeping in the middle of the road. Your darts won’t go where you want them to land if you are bleary-eyed after a restless night.”
Taylor warns of 'United syndrome'
Phil Taylor has warned Luke Littler to be wary of 'Man Utd syndrome'.
He explained: "What Luke has to be careful of is: ‘Don’t be complacent.’
“I used to call it the 'Manchester United syndrome'. Because United never got an easy game.
“I never got an easy game as everybody tried their best against me.
Whoever plays Luke will either play brilliantly or play poorly. There will be no middle section.
“They will go up there and try their socks off. Because one, they will earn good prize money and secondly, they’ll make a big name for themselves.”
Littler's United advice
LUKE LITTLER shared his ruthless verdict on what needs to be done to turn things around at his beloved Manchester United.
Littler told the BBC: "No idea. Well, we've all got an idea.
"The players. There are some players at the club that are getting on a bit. They need to go and play somewhere else.
"And we need to find the right players to fit in the squad."
Littler's reveals dad's role
LUKE LITTLER has revealed the key part his dad played in the World Championship final.
His father kept a lid on his emotions throughout the final and The Nuke has revealed that looking at his him controlled his nerves.
Littler said: "My dad looked so settled throughout the game. When I was looking over to him, he didn't look nervous.
"So I knew myself that if he is not nervous then I just need to play with freedom.
“I look at everyone who's there. But he is probably the main one.
"He said that he was not nervous but at 4-0, he started to get that feeling in his stomach.”
Littler's to take time out
LUKE LITTLER will not throw another dart in anger until he travels to the Bahrain Masters in less than 10 days’ time.
Littler, who prefers to spend more time on his Xbox, laughed: “I don’t want to practise really. l just want to chill out!
“It’ll probably be the same as last year, leading up to the Bahrain Masters I won’t pick them up.
“I didn’t know too much about Bahrain, but once we flew over there, a few hours on the plane, it was a really nice country.
“To win the first title of 2024 was to say that “I’m here on the World Series”.