BetMGM Premier League Darts 2026 Opens in Newcastle

The BetMGM Premier League Darts 2026 season begins Thursday evening in Newcastle, where eight of the world's top players will compete in the opening night of a 17-week tournament that spans the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Europe. Defending champion Luke Humphries faces immediate challenges from rivals including teenage sensation Luke Littler and world number three Michael van Gerwen, as the event kicks off at the Utilita Arena with quarterfinal matches starting at 7 p.m. local time.

The lineup features the top four players on the PDC Order of Merit, who earned automatic spots: Humphries, Littler, van Gerwen, and fourth-ranked Rob Cross. No, wait—sources confirm van Gerwen secured the final automatic qualification, with wild cards going to Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, Northern Ireland's Josh Rock, and Stephen Bunting. This invitational series runs every Thursday from February 5 to May 28, culminating in playoffs at London's O2 Arena. Venues include established UK stops like Glasgow, Cardiff, and Manchester, alongside international outings in Antwerp, Belgium—making its debut on February 12—the Netherlands, Germany, and Ireland.

Night 1's quarterfinal draw sets up intriguing...