Premier League Darts 2026: How Do the Bookmakers See It?

by Roy Brindley, 11 February 2026

Can a resurgent Michael van Gerwen reach the Premier League’s play-off stages for the twelfth time in 14 years?

The eight players contesting this year’s BetMGM Premier League pose for the cameras at the competition’s official launch event. © PDC/BetMGM

Key Facts:

• Back-to-form Michael van Gerwen is odds-on to reach the Premier League play-offs.
• Luke Littler is favourite to regain the title he first took in 2024.
• Bookmakers are predicting a healthy number of 170 checkouts and 9-dart finishes

2026 BetMGM Premier League may only be in its second week, but Michael van Gerwen’s positioning at the top of the table may surprise many. The Dutchman has endured a dreadful run of form and failed to win a single nightly final in last year’s Premier League.

The 36-year-old, who has undergone a divorce and multiple jaw surgeries during the past 12 months, now needs to maintain a place in the top four of the BetMGM Premier League standings to book a spot in the play-offs.

The financial reward would be significant. Following an across-the-board prize-money boost announced in early 2025, the 2026 Premier League is worth £1,250,000. A guaranteed £110,000, plus a shot at the £350,000 winner’s prize, is the reward for MVG or any player who reaches finals night.

Four Previous Winners in 2026 Premier League Field

Outright success for MVG would see him collect his eighth BetMGM Premier League title. Only three other players in this year’s competition have won the tournament before: Jonny Clayton (2021), Luke Littler (2024) and Luke Humphries (2025).

"I want to enjoy myself and results will come automatically!" 🗣️

MVG reacts to his Night One win in Newcastle 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VblCingAKi

— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) February 5, 2026

Gerywn Price was runner-up in 2023’s Premier League, and Stephen Bunting, a controversial choice for this year’s competition, finished eighth in 2015 and again in 2025. Josh Rock and Gian van Veen are making their Premier League debuts in 2026.

The current betting suggests MVG can reach the play-offs for the twelfth time in 14 years. Online betting sites quote the three-time World Champion on 4/6 odds to reach the deciding stages at London’s O2 on May 28.

Bunting an Underdog for a Top Four League Finish

MVG is one of four players priced up as an odds-on to reach finals night. Luke Littler is 1/14, Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries, both 4/9, are the others. At 3/1, Stephen Bunting is considered the most unlikely player to be in the final four.

Jonny Clayton, despite already having two points on the board, is 5/2 to reach the final night of Premier League play. Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price, without points heading into week two of the competition, are both quoted on 6/5.

The outright betting corresponds with the qualification market. Luke Humphries is 5/1 to retain his Premier League title but Littler is the 4/6 favourite. Van Veen is 11/2, MVG 10/1, Gerwyn Price 14/1, Josh Rock 16/1, and Jonny Clayton 28/1. Stephen Bunting is friendless in the betting priced on 50/1 odds.

Humphries and Littler to Clash in Antwerp and Liverpool

The Premier League is played every Thursday evening at a different venue live before Sky Sports cameras. There will be 16 league nights in total, followed by a 17th and final night of action in London, when four players will battle for the title.

The forthcoming Premier League fixtures are Antwerp (February 12), Glasgow (February 19), Belfast (February 26), Cardiff (March 5), Nottingham (March 12), Dublin (March 19), and Berlin (March 26). The first clash of the ‘big two’, Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, will take place in Antwerp.

The pair will meet again on April 23 at a fixture in Liverpool. Another interesting clash is Welsh teammates Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton. They will meet on night three in Glasgow and again in Leeds on May 7.

Betting Open on 170s and Nine-Darters

In addition to a host of betting markets on nightly games and the ante-post markets, there are some interesting ‘special bet’ opportunities. A line on the total number of 170 checkouts has been set on 6.5, with the over scenario quoted on 10/11.

There were five 9-dart finishes in 2025’s Premier League and two in 2024. This year, bookmakers quote three or more on 5/2 odds. Under 2.5 9-dart finishes is 2/5, under 1.5 is 11/10, and punters who do not believe there will be one in 2026 can avail of 5/2 odds.