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

Darts star helped by neighbours

The UK's recent snowfall nearly froze darts star Devon Petersen's hopes of securing his PDC return.

The 38-year-old was among the many Brits caught out by the significant snow dump in the north this week. As scores of flights were axed due to the icy blast, Petersen's own plans were thrown into chaos by the snow.

His trip was not just delayed, it was on the verge of being cancelled outright. The South African-born player, who now calls Bradford home, had to make his way to Milton Keynes to compete at Q-School.

However, before he could tackle the three-hour, 150-mile-plus journey, he discovered his car was snowed in. In a heart-warming turn of events, Petersen's local community rallied, shovels in hand, to help the 'African Warrior' hit the road again.

Littler goes top gear

Jeremy Clarkson has jumped on the Luke Littler darts craze with a change at his pub.

The watering hole in Asthall near Burford now has a new dartboard upstairs for customers to use alongside the pool table.

An update was shared on the pub’s official Instagram account on Monday in the form of a temporary story captioned: “Monday night billiards?

“We’re open until 11pm. A new dartboard awaits, as does a cold pint of Hawkstone and a sausage roll.”

Clarkson purchased The Windmill in Asthall near Burford for around £1,000,000 last year and spent months renovating the spot.

Littler planning big purchase

After collecting a jackpot of £500,000 for winning the World Darts Championship, Luke Littler is planning to upgrade his car purchase.

He said: "Last year I was looking at driving and I loved the Ford Focus, but now I've gone up in the world just a little.

"I've always loved a Mercedes A-Class. Just a small car.

"I haven't had driving lessons yet because it's been so hectic.

"But I'm going to have to do it before I get into my twenties when it'll be too late and I can't be bothered. If I get a car, it won't be a birthday present from anyone. I think it would have to be a birthday present from me to me."

Royal Rumble heading to darts?

Darts star Paul Nicholson is keen to see a Royal Rumble event introduced to the sport.

He believes the WWE event would entice a darts audience thanks to the surprise element of who would be brought out next.

Nicholson said: "I think this idea for a Royal Rumble has been floated around for a little while now but nobody has done it before and it is still something the public really want to see.

"The thing about this is it is about audience interaction and it is about surprises because the person on the stage who remains there after winning, they don't know who they are going to play next.

"And the audience haven't got a clue who is coming."

PDC chief on Premier League line-up

Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall have been confirmed as this year's Premier League Darts participants.

Speaking at the launch, PDC chief executive Matt Porter said: "We are really excited by this year's line-up, which I'm sure will entertain our incredible crowds across the UK and Europe.

"The BetMGM Premier League will reach a huge live audience across the next four months, following record-breaking ticket sales for the 2025 season.

“All eight players have pedigree on the biggest stage, and fresh from some brilliant performances at the World Darts Championship we’re looking forward to 17 brilliant weeks of competition.”

Premier League Darts schedule

With the World Darts Championship having finished, fans can now begin getting excited for the new Premier League season.

Earlier this week the line-up was confirmed; with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall all set to do battle.

Here are all the dates and venues for the season ahead.

Littler compared to Wayne Rooney

Freshly-crowned world champion Luke Littler has been compared to Wayne Rooney by former Manchester United star Jaap Stam.

Speaking to , the Dutchman said: "Luke Littler seems a great guy and has so much potential at such a young age which is similar to Wayne Rooney.

"Hopefully he can make that count and win trophies and be competing for a long time in the sport.

“What is so impressive is that at a young age he is in that huge room of fans with people shouting and whatever and he can keep his composure and be so accurate.

“The comparison with Rooney is as well as being very young and breaking through, showing your ability and keep making steps to improve. Littler is doing that and could well make history in the sport.”

Star left 'Dartbroken'

One darts star has made history in the wrong way after being snubbed for the Premier League.

Belgian thrower Mike De Decker has become the first player in the Premier League's 20-year history to miss out on the lineup after winning a major televised on Sky Sports.

De Decker, 29, was overlooked for the eight-man lineup for the 2025 Premier League announced yesterday.

The Real Deal was tipped to make the cut after he won the World Grand Prix back in October.

But he didn't make the grade after the PDC beaks decided upon a lineup of Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey.

Premier League build-up

Luke Humphries can't wait to get going in the 2025 Darts Premier League.

The former world champion, 29, finished as runner-up to Luke Littler in last year's 02 Arena finale.

Having been confirmed as part of the new eight-man line-up, he wrote on social media: "Looking forward to getting started in Belfast, and hopefully going one better than 2024."

Stephen Bunting reacts

Fan favourite Stephen Bunting is thrilled to have been selected to participate in this year's Darts Premier League.

Upon receiving the news, he posted: "WOW WOW WOW just WOW.

"Absolutely delighted to have been selected for this year’s Premier League. Roll on 6th February…..

"#LetsGoBuntingMental"

From hero to zero

Darts star Lisa Ashton went from hero to zero in a "ridiculous" leg in the MODUS Super Series.

The four-time women's world champion beat Steph Clarke 3-2 in Group A yesterday.

Ashton, 54, held her nerve in a tense decider to seal victory after a disastrous fourth leg in which she had a total nightmare. The Lancashire Rose looked to be cruising to victory at 2-1 up and was heading for an 11-dart leg, having hit 140, 180 and 170.

Her last of the high-scoring arrows was meant for the 25 yet instead went into the bullseye. But with 11 on the board and her opponent on 220, there was seemingly little to worry about.

Only for it all to go wrong as Ashton bust by hitting 19, then wildly missed the single three twice, with her second arrow going into double three. That left her with five to get and she messed up her throw at single one as that also dropped into the double.

Ashton eventually got it but then fired off target with her two attempts to finally checkout. Her six wayward darts gave Clarke a way back and she made no mistake channelling her inner Luke Littler with a double ten to make it 2-2.

Bunting the right call?

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."

The Nuke tipped for success

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.

Littler aims big

Luke Littler can't wait to defend his Premier League crown.

After winning the World Darts Championship, 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.”

How much cash is at stake?

The amount for 2025 is yet to be revealed.

But last year's amounts were certainly tasty:

• Winner: £275,000
• Second: £125,000
• Semi-Finalists: £85,000 each
• Fifth: £75,000
• Sixth: £70,000
• Seventh: £65,000
• Eighth: £60,000
• Weekly Winner: £10,000

Littler's tribute to Hoy

Luke Littler hailed Sir Chris Hoy after the Team GB legend presented him with his World Darts trophy.

Littler said: “Days before, I had the news on and he was talking about the prostate cancer.

“I didn’t know much about him. Me and my mum sat down and she told me who he was.

“When my mum and dad came on stage, they pointed out who was Chris. It’s very sad what he’s going through.

“The limelight is on him and it’s good for him to come on stage and have the confidence to do it.”

Littler's record-breaking night

Luke Littler's World Darts win saw a peak audience of 3.1million tune into Sky Sports for Friday's final at Ally Pally.

That is the highest number the broadcaster has attracted for a non-football event since last year's final between Littler and Luke Humphries, which had a peak of 3.7m.

And nobody will bet against him breaking it again if he reaches the final next year.

Wheely good

Luke Littler has revealed the amazing car he has his sights set on - despite not yet passing his driving test.

Littler said: "I’ve always loved a Mercedes A-Class.

“Just a small car. Last year I was looking at driving and I loved Ford Focuses.

“But now, I’ve gone up in the world just a little!

“What model? No idea. Just an A-Class. I don’t know the different models.

“I’m going to have to do my lessons before I get into my twenties when it’ll be too late and I can’t be bothered.

“It won't be a birthday present. I think it would be a birthday present from me to me.”

Who are the eight names this year?

• Luke Littler

• Luke Humphries

• Michael van Gerwen

• Rob Cross

• Gerwyn Price

• Nathan Aspinall

• Stephen Bunting

• Chris Dobey

PDC Order of Merit

As we can see below, Dave Chisnall, Jonny Clayton and Damon Heta are all in the top eight of the Order of Merit.

If the Premier League was done entirely on rankings, those three would have made it ahead of Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall.

Keep an eye

Luke Littler has revealed where he is keeping his ever-growing number of trophies.

He declared: “When we moved into the house, there were two cabinets on either side of the TV.

“We were like: ‘There’s only one thing going in there, and that’s all the trophies.’

“Will I get a man cave? Not at the minute. I just have to see where it goes.

“Yeah, I’m very different to a normal 17-year-old. I am glad I’ve gotten into this darts world.

“I don’t go out, wandering around the streets. I have really knuckled down on this sport.”

Simply the best

Luke Littler hopes to become a darts legend after winning the World Championship.

He said: “I want to become one of the best of all time.

“It will take however many times. Phil Taylor won many. I know Michael has won 100-plus titles and three worlds.

“But for myself, I want to win as much as I can.

“I just want to pick up every title. Obviously that’s what people will be looking into, after I won my first world title so young.

“But if I want it, then I’m sure deep down I can go do it.

“I’ve said previously I would like to win one of every major and then add on to them.

“But I could be chasing Michael’s three titles – and potentially Phil’s 16.”

Taylor made

Luke Littler has been tipped to break Phil Taylor's darts records by the man himself.

The Power said: "If I could give him one piece of advice, or one tip to help him stay at the top, it wouldn’t be anything to do with his darts or the way he navigates his way around the board.

“I would tell him shoes. If you’re not standing comfortably on the oche, you’re not going to hit a target the size of your little fingernail, so make sure your shoes fit perfectly — and take two or three pairs with you everywhere.

“And sleep. Make sure you get enough rest. I still take a mattress topper with me everywhere I go because some hotel beds are like sleeping in the middle of the road.

"Your darts won’t go where you want them to land if you are bleary-eyed after a restless night.”

Who finished where in 2024?

Last year saw Luke Littler come out on top in the group stage.

He went on to win the entire thing to crown an amazing breakout season.

Michael Smith also finished in the top four and went to the semis.

But he has now missed out on a place in this year's event.

Plenty to play for

The prize money is yet to be confirmed for this year's event.

But there was plenty of cash on offer in 2024...

• Winner: £275,000
• Second: £125,000
• Semi-Finalists: £85,000 each
• Fifth: £75,000
• Sixth: £70,000
• Seventh: £65,000
• Eighth: £60,000
• Weekly Winner: £10,000