Premier League darts announcement LIVE: Full line-up REVEALED as Luke Littler leads the way but two World Champs AXED

Full schedule for Premier League 2/2

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

Finals Night - The O2, London - Thursday, May 29

Full schedule for Premier League 1/2

• 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

How to watch this year's Premier League

With just a month to go until the 2025 edition of the Prem kicks off, here's how you can watch it:

• Premier League Darts 2025 will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports.
• Sky Sports customers can live stream each night via the Sky Sports/NOW app or website.
• Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action from Premier League Darts by following SunSport's live blog of each night.

Luke's silverware superstition

Luke Littler has revealed he refuses to touch a trophy until he's won it!

Littler said: “It was the same as the Premier League – I didn’t touch the Premier League trophy until I’d won it.

“I don’t think anyone should touch the trophy until you win it. We do get pictures next to it.

“I have watched plenty of finals over the years. Whether that has been the Premier League, the Matchplay, the World Championship.

“Everyone wants to pick up trophies. But first, you have got to go through the likes of Q School and Development Tour, which I went through.

“You have got to be at the very top of your game to win it.”

Ace tipped for future entry

Mike De Decker has been hailed as the next big name to join the Premier League in the future.

PDC chief Matt Porter told Sky Sports: "Mike is an outstanding talent and someone who we undoubtedly will see in the Premier League in the future.

"We didn't feel he was quite there. There are a lot of tournaments and winning one...

"Players in the past like Ross Smith, Danny Noppert and Andrew Gilding, they have won TV tournaments but you have to show you can compete at the latter stages of a tournament on a regular basis.

"Doing it once  is fantastic and something you will always have but to really be part of the elite, you have to be doing it on a regular basis over multiple years."

The Premier League format analysed

Matt Porter has lifted the lid on the format of this year's tournament.

He told Sky Sports: "The format of producing a winner on the night is great for the crowd, they stay engaged to the end.

"From a TV viewing perspective, you get a result every evening. 

"I get it when people say you see the same matches time after time or the best people in the world time after time.

"But if you look at Premier League Darts history, the format has evolved every three or four years, whether it's the number of players, or eliminations.

"That is something we will look at but feel it's good for now."

PDC selection criteria

More from Chief Executive Matt Porter on Sky Sports: "There are players who benefit from the break [from the Premier League].

"There's a huge amount of travel, nights in hotels, time on aeroplanes.

"The pressure is significant and if you start badly, the weight sits heavy on your shoulders and it can be an ordeal for some players.

"We have done it in the past with players where we put them in the Premier League, they really struggle and it sets them back three or four years.

"Some might say they want the opportunity but we have to think long-term.

"Luke Humphries when we didn't put him in when everyone thought he was ready, look at the year he had afterwards [ in 2023]."

Dobey another hit

Webster believes selecting Dobey was also the right decision.

He added: ";They have all played in the Premier League before. I like the fact Chris Dobey is back.

"When you get omitted from the Premier League, you go out there and show some positivity.

"It's a great line-up and I'm looking forward to getting it going."

Bunting a beauty

Former darts ace Mark Webster reckons Stephen Bunting can set the Premier League alight.

He told Sky Sports: "It's a long time since Stephen has been in the Premier League. He was in a low place four years ago.

"He's not just worked on his game but his profile. You need characters in the Premier League and he's got such a big following on social media.

"He's a great addition and, again, it sends out a message to players who aren't near the Premier League, but if you keep working then you can be in it, maybe not next year, but the year after."

So close

Jonny Clayton, Dave Chisnall and Damon Heta are sure to be gutted this evening.

They are the three highest-ranked slingers to miss out on the Premier League.

But it's joy for Stephen Bunting, who returns to the line-up for the first time in a decade.

Chris Dobey is also back, having featured in the 2023 edition.

Who missed out?

Peter Wright reached the fourth round of the World Darts Championship, knocking out defending champ Luke Humphries in the process.

But it was not enough to retain his Premier League spot, which Wright has held since 2013.

Michael Smith has also been axed after defeat in the second round of the WDC.

He will be desperate to regain his form and bounce back in 2026.

Littler backed for defence

Luke Littler has been immediately placed as the favourite to win this year's Premier League.

Bookies reckon the teen stands an incredible chance of retaining his title.

Littler has been placed ahead of Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price.

While Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall are seen as outsiders this year.

More on selections

Porter: "We have eight players.

"We pick the top four in the world then we look at the other contenders, players who have maybe performed well throughout the year or that big stage presence, a decent CV or players ready to prove a point.

"It's been quite open. There are a lot of candidates.

"There's always someone who is disappointed and someone who feels quite lucky."

Chief explains selection dilemma

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter has revealed how he and fellow darts gurus selected this year's line-up.

He told Sky Sports: "Obviously with Price, Dobey, and Aspinall. there are players above them in the rankings who haven't been selected but we have looked at it in terms of big stage presence, popularity, and the way they can get a 10,000 crowd every Thursday going.

"We want people on the edge of their seats. We want people up and enjoying their darts.

"That isn't to say other players can't do that. You have to make decisions on who is right at the time." 

Littler raring to go

Littler can't wait to get back to Thursday night action and defend his title.

He said: “Yeah, there’s always a target on your back, but not only from the top players in the world.

“Everyone on the Pro Tour – they always want to beat me, and I know half the time they’re going to play their best game against me.

“Obviously the first night it will be difficult to get off to a winning start like it was here.”

Time to shine

Here we go.

The full line-up is being revealed now.