Premier League Darts

Premier League Darts, known for sponsorship purposes in 2024 as BetMGM Premier League Darts, is a darts tournament which launched on 20 January 2005 on Sky Sports. Now played weekly from February to May, the event originally started as a fortnightly fixture in small venues around the United Kingdom. The tournament originally featured seven players, gradually expanded to ten by 2013, before reduced again from 2022 to eight players from the Professional Darts Corporation circuit competing in a knockout style format, with nights also hosted in Europe at different venues. The top four players in the PDC Order of Merit are joined by four wildcard selections to make up the eight-person field. Alongside the World Championship and the World Matchplay, it is considered part of the sport's Triple Crown.

While active, Phil Taylor dominated the event, winning six of the thirteen tournaments he appeared in. He went unbeaten throughout the first three seasons before James Wade ended his 44 match run in the first match of the 2008 season. A new champion was to be crowned after Mervyn King defeated him in the 2009 semi-finals, where Wade defeated King 13–8 in the final, to pick up the £125,000 first prize. Taylor defeated Wade the following season to claim his fifth title in the competition in 2010, achieving two nine-dart finishes in the final, the only player to achieve this accomplishment.

Although there have been eight overall winners of the Premier League, the league stage has been dominated by Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, with Taylor topping the table for each of the first eight editions and van Gerwen winning the next seven. In 2020, Glen Durrant became the third player to finish top after all league fixtures had been completed. He went on to win the title, meaning all three players both topped the table and won the play-offs at their first attempt. In 2024, this feat was then repeated by Luke Littler who became the fourth player to both top the table following the completion of the league stage and then win the play-offs on their debut Premier League appearance.

The prize fund has risen from £265,000 in the early years of the tournament, steadily increasing each year for a prize fund of £1,000,000 in 2022. The winner currently receives £275,000.

Premier League Darts is an electrifying and highly anticipated annual tournament that showcases the world's top professional darts players. This prestigious event brings together the crème de la crème of the sport, captivating fans with its thrilling atmosphere and intense competition.

The tournament features ten elite players who compete against each other over a span of several months, battling it out in a round-robin format. These players, carefully selected based on their exceptional skills and rankings, represent the pinnacle of darts excellence.

Premier League Darts takes place in various iconic venues across the United Kingdom and Europe, creating an electric atmosphere that resonates with the passionate crowd. The venues are transformed into vibrant arenas, with pulsating music, dazzling light displays, and a sea of enthusiastic spectators, all adding to the spectacle.

Each match is a captivating display of precision, strategy, and nerves of steel. The players showcase their exceptional dart-throwing skills, aiming for the coveted 180 maximum score and striving to hit the elusive bullseye. The tension builds with every throw, as the players battle to outscore their opponents and secure crucial points in the league standings.

The tournament's format ensures that every player faces each other at least once, guaranteeing a thrilling clash of styles and strategies. As the weeks progress, the intensity heightens, and the pressure mounts, leading to captivating rivalries and unforgettable moments.

Premier League Darts culminates in a climactic playoff stage, where the top four players battle it out for the ultimate glory. The atmosphere reaches fever pitch as the finalists step onto the stage, with the crowd roaring in anticipation. The tension is palpable as the players vie for the prestigious title, showcasing their exceptional skills under immense pressure.

This tournament not only showcases the incredible talent of the players but also serves as a platform for the growth and popularity of darts as a sport. Premier League Darts has become a must-watch event for darts enthusiasts and sports fans alike, captivating audiences with its thrilling matches, passionate atmosphere, and unforgettable moments of darting brilliance.