The Premier League Darts tournament is one of the most anticipated events in the world of darts, and the 2024 season, known as the BetMGM Premier League Darts, has delivered yet another thrilling chapter. Organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), this tournament has grown into a major attraction for fans of the sport, featuring eight of the world’s best darts players competing for supremacy.
This article will cover the 2024 Premier League Darts, its unique format, top players like Michael van Gerwen, Luke Littler, Michael Smith, and Luke Humphries, and the significance of the Premier League Play-Offs.
Premier League Darts Overview
The 2024 Premier League Darts began on Thursday, 1 February, at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, and will culminate in the Premier League Play-Offs on Thursday, 23 May, at the O2 Arena in London. With eight of the top players in the world competing, the Premier League Darts has showcased intense matches and remarkable performances.
Michael van Gerwen, the defending champion, entered the tournament looking to retain his title. However, he faced a tough challenge from rising stars like Luke Littler and Michael Smith, making the 2024 season one of the most competitive in recent years.
Tournament Format
The Premier League Darts tournament follows a unique format. It features eight players, and each night sees them compete in a knockout bracket. The matches are played as the first to six legs, ensuring fast-paced, high-stakes darts action. The league phase runs across 16 nights, after which the top four players in the standings move on to the Premier League Play-Offs.
Players accumulate points by advancing in the tournament: two points for a semi-final finish, three points for a runner-up finish, and five points for winning the final on each night. This system adds strategic importance to every match as players vie for a spot in the play-offs.
Venues Across Europe
The Premier League Darts tour visits some of the most iconic venues across Europe. Starting in Cardiff, the tournament travels to cities such as Berlin, Glasgow, Manchester, and Leeds, before concluding at the O2 Arena in London for the Premier League Play-Offs.
Notable venues this season include:
- Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on 8 February.
- AO Arena in Manchester on 4 April.
- Leeds’ First Direct Arena on May 9.
- The London O2 Arena, the grand finale.
Prize Money and Rewards
With a prize pool of £1,000,000, the Premier League Darts tournament offers significant financial rewards. The winner of the Premier League Play-Offs will take home £275,000, while the runner-up earns £125,000. Even the players who don’t make it to the semi-finals receive substantial prize money, highlighting the tournament’s prestige.
- Winner: £275,000
- Runner-up: £125,000
- Semi-finalists: £85,000
Key Players to Watch
Michael van Gerwen: The Defending Champion
Michael van Gerwen, a seven-time Premier League Darts champion, was the defending champion going into the 2024 Premier League Darts. Known for his incredible consistency, Van Gerwen looked to add another title to his illustrious career.
Van Gerwen had a strong start in the tournament, winning on night two in Berlin and night three in Glasgow. However, he faced tough competition from rising stars, which made his quest for the title more challenging. He reached the semi-finals, but his journey was cut short by a surprising defeat to Luke Humphries, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
Michael Smith: A Consistent Contender
Michael Smith has been a consistent force in Premier League Darts and the World Championship. He won his first major title at the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts and has since remained one of the top contenders in the sport.
Smith has shown remarkable consistency in the Premier League Darts this season, advancing through the league stage and securing important wins.
Smith’s quarter-final win over Nathan Aspinall during the final league stage night in Sheffield secured his place in the Premier League Play-Offs, where he will be a formidable challenger.
Luke Littler: The Teenage Sensation
The story of the 2024 Premier League Darts is incomplete without mentioning Luke Littler. At just 17 years old, Littler made history as the youngest player to win a major PDC tournament. He claimed his debut Premier League Darts title by defeating Luke Humphries in the final with an 11-7 victory.
Littler’s meteoric rise also includes a stunning nine-darter in the Premier League final, cementing his place among the brightest young talents in darts.
His journey to the finals included a commanding 10-5 semi-final win over Michael Smith, showcasing his maturity and skill under pressure.
Luke Humphries: A Rising Star
Luke Humphries has had an impressive Premier League Darts season. Known for his composure and consistency, Humphries became a dominant force during the league stage, securing three consecutive night wins.
His performances, particularly on night six in Brighton and night eight in Dublin, were remarkable, with Humphries averaging over 100 in all his matches.
Humphries’ ability to maintain high averages and win crucial matches against top players like Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith has made him a strong contender heading into the Premier League Play-Offs.
Nathan Aspinall: A Fighter in the League
Nathan Aspinall has been a tough competitor throughout the Premier League Darts season. Though he narrowly missed a place in the final four after losing to Michael Smith in the last league stage night, Aspinall’s performances have shown that he is capable of competing with the best in the world.
His aggressive style and relentless energy make him a fan favorite, and his presence in future Premier League Darts tournaments is all but guaranteed.
Gerwyn Price: A Challenger for the Crown
Gerwyn Price, the 2021 World Champion, remains one of the most feared players in darts. Price showcased his talent by hitting a nine-darter during his semi-final match against Michael Smith on night 10.
Despite facing stiff competition, Price consistently placed himself among the top contenders, securing key wins that kept him in the hunt for the Premier League Play-Offs.
Peter Wright: A Fan Favorite
Peter Wright, known for his colorful mohawks and electrifying presence, remains a crowd favorite in the Premier League Darts.
Though Wright struggled at times in the league phase, he secured important wins, including a hard-fought battle against Nathan Aspinall. Despite not making the semi-finals, Wright’s resilience and character continue to endear him to fans across the world.
The League Phase: Building to the Play-Offs
The league phase of the Premier League Darts saw 16 weeks of intense competition as players battled for points to secure a place in the Premier League Play-Offs. With each player guaranteed to meet once in the quarter-finals, the pressure mounted as the season progressed. Luke Littler emerged as the top player in the league phase, followed closely by Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, and Michael van Gerwen.
The Premier League Play-Offs
The top four players in the league standings advance to the Premier League Play-Offs, where they compete for the prestigious title. The play-offs consist of two semi-final matches and the final, all played on the same night. The stakes are high, with the winner taking home a significant portion of the prize money and the title of Premier League Darts Champion.
Key Matches
As we head into the Premier League Darts play-offs, several key matches stand out that promise excitement and high-level competition.
Nine-Darter Thrills
The 2024 Premier League Darts season has been notable for its incredible moments, including two nine-darters. Luke Littler hit a nine-darter in the Premier League final, while Gerwyn Price achieved the feat during his semi-final against Michael Smith. These moments of perfection added extra excitement to an already thrilling tournament.
Michael Smith vs. Luke Littler
The semi-final clash between Michael Smith and 17-year-old Luke Littler is highly anticipated. Smith, the 2023 world champion, secured his spot in the play-offs with a strong performance, including a notable 136 checkout against Nathan Aspinall. Littler, making his Premier League debut, topped the league table and has shown remarkable skill throughout the season. This match will be a test of experience versus youthful exuberance.
Michael van Gerwen vs. Luke Humphries
In another semi-final, seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen faces Luke Humphries. Van Gerwen secured his third-place finish with a solid opening-round win and will look to leverage his vast experience in high-stakes matches. Humphries, on a remarkable winning streak with consecutive night victories, will be eager to prove himself against the seasoned champion. Expect high averages and thrilling finishes as these two clash.
The Final Showdown
Regardless of the semi-final outcomes, the final will feature some of the best players in the league competing for the £275,000 prize. The final is played over 21 legs, promising a dramatic and potentially nail-biting conclusion to the season. Whether it’s Smith battling Littler or van Gerwen against Humphries, this match will be the highlight of the evening.
The O2 Arena Showdown
The Premier League Darts Play-Offs will take place at the iconic O2 Arena in London. With thousands of fans expected to fill the arena, the atmosphere will be electric as the top four players battle it out for the title. The winner will be crowned Premier League Darts Champion and take home £275,000 in prize money.
Conclusion
The 2024 Premier League Darts season has been nothing short of spectacular. With top players like Michael Smith, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Luke Humphries delivering world-class performances, the Premier League Play-Offs promise to be a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable season. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the action, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and BBC Sport.
