Story Highlight
– Player selection for Premier League Darts causes discontent.
– James Wade and Danny Noppert criticize their non-nomination.
– Stephen Bunting receives a nomination despite weak major performance.
– Gary Anderson declines participation due to travel demands.
– Premier League Darts begins on February 5, 2024.
Full Story
The player selection for the upcoming Premier League Darts has sparked disappointment among some, as notable figures such as James Wade expressed their frustration on social media.
After the Darts World Championship, attention turns to the Premier League, where this year’s player selection posed a significant challenge for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). The World Championship revealed numerous upsets, witnessing several highly ranked players eliminated early in the tournament.
The top four players from the Order of Merit, set to participate, include reigning champion Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian Van Veen, and Michael Van Gerwen. The PDC announced the additional participants on January 5, which include Jonny Clayton (ranked fifth), Stephen Bunting (seventh), Josh Rock (ninth), and Gerwyn Price (twelfth). However, despite commendable performances, some top players did not receive invitations, leading to frustration, particularly for Danny Noppert and James Wade, who are ranked tenth and eleventh in the world, respectively.
James Wade’s disappointment was palpable in his Instagram post, where he questioned, “Hard work pays off… is that really so?” seemingly directed at the PDC. Wade reached two major finals this year and secured a Players Championship title, but was eliminated early in the World Championship by Ricky Evans. Nevertheless, he remains focused on the future, stating, “Disappointed but proud of the work I’ve done this year. … Back to work. 2026, I will be ready.”
Danny Noppert also reflected on his exclusion, having been eliminated in the second round of the World Championship by Justin Hood, who went on to defeat Premier League participant Josh Rock. Noppert had previously enjoyed a successful year, reaching five major semifinals and securing a title on the European Tour. His Instagram response, while acknowledging his non-selection, expressed gratitude to his supporters: “Unfortunately, I was not nominated for this year’s Premier League. … it really means a lot to me to see more and more people speaking positively about me.”
Amidst the discussions, Stephen Bunting, who won six smaller tournaments but struggled in major events last year, faced scrutiny regarding his selection as a participant. Former player Wayne Mardle commented on “Sky Sports UK,” expressing surprise at Bunting’s inclusion, suggesting others performed better, yet acknowledging Bunting’s good fortune in being selected. Bunting himself recognized his year had not concluded ideally but justified his inclusion, stating, “I cannot express how happy I am to be selected for this year’s Premier League,” emphasizing his six tournament wins as a reason for his selection.
Notably absent this year are Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle, both of whom reached the World Championship semifinals. Anderson has previously indicated he would not participate due to the travel demands, while Searle’s lack of success outside of the World Championship, achieving only two tournament victories, likely contributed to his exclusion.
Jonny Clayton, returning to the Premier League, expressed his joy on Instagram, stating, “Anyone who knows me, knows how much I wanted to be part of the field again.” His fellow Welshman, Gerwyn Price, also celebrated their partnership, light-heartedly adding, “This year I’m not the oldest.”
The Premier League Darts is set to commence on February 5 in Newcastle and will conclude on May 28 in London, with a record prize fund in place. The champion will receive £350,000, equivalent to approximately $403,000.