Story Highlight
– Player selection for Premier League Darts causes dissatisfaction.
– James Wade and Danny Noppert express their disappointment.
– Stephen Bunting receives criticism for his nomination.
– Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle decline to participate.
– Premier League begins on February 5, with a high prize fund.
Full Story
The recent selection of players for the upcoming Premier League Darts has sparked disappointment among some, notably with stars such as James Wade expressing their discontent on social media. Following the World Darts Championship, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) faced challenges in choosing participants due to numerous unexpected outcomes in the tournament, where many highly-ranked players faltered early.
The top four players in the Order of Merit have secured their places: reigning champion Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian Van Veen, and Michael Van Gerwen. The remaining four participants announced on January 5 include Jonny Clayton (ranked fifth), Stephen Bunting (seventh), Josh Rock (ninth), and Gerwyn Price (twelfth).
Several prominent players, despite commendable performances in the previous season, did not receive invitations. Notably, both Danny Noppert and James Wade, ranked tenth and eleventh in the world respectively, have voiced their frustration over this decision. Wade, in particular, took to Instagram to express his feelings, questioning if hard work truly pays off. He noted, “Hard work pays off… is that really so?” Despite his disappointment, Wade remains focused on future opportunities, stating, “Back to work. 2026, I will be ready.”
Noppert, who also faced an early exit in the World Championship after a tough match against Justin Hood, shared a more reconciliatory message on social media. He expressed gratitude for the support from fans despite not being selected for the Premier League. “It means a lot to me to see more people speak positively about me and mention my name as a potential candidate,” he wrote, adding he would concentrate on maintaining a solid performance in the current season.
Among the selected players, Stephen Bunting has come under scrutiny. Although he secured victory in six minor tournaments in the past year, his performances in major competitions were lackluster. Following an early exit in the World Championship, some experts, including former dart player Wayne Mardle, questioned his nomination, suggesting he may be fortunate to be included among the line-up. Bunting acknowledged his struggles but maintained his belief in deserving the nomination, stating, “With six tournament wins in 2025, I would have been disappointed not to be selected.”
The line-up is also missing semi-finalists from the previous World Championship, Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle. Anderson has repeatedly indicated his reluctance to commit to the additional travel demands. Conversely, Searle’s fewer tournament victories in 2025 potentially hampered his chances.
Jonny Clayton, returning to the Premier League, expressed his happiness at being part of the event once again. He shared his excitement on Instagram, stating, “Anyone who knows me understands how much I wanted to be part of the field again. I have won it before, and I want to thank the PDC for the invitation.” His fellow Welsh player, Gerwyn Price, humorously noted that the presence of two Welsh competitors in the lineup was a boost, adding, “This year I am not the oldest.”
The Premier League Darts is set to commence on February 5 in Newcastle, culminating on May 28 in London. Notably, the prize money for this season has reached an all-time high, with the winner set to take home £350,000 (approximately €403,000).