when does premier league darts start
Premier League Darts 2026 kicks off on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
This marks the start of the 22nd edition, known as the BetMGM Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries begins his title defense against Gerwyn Price. The season builds excitement with 16 league nights across Europe before culminating in playoffs at London's O2 Arena on May 28.
Opening Night Matchups
High-stakes clashes set the tone right away in Newcastle:
- Luke Humphries vs. Gerwyn Price (title defense opener).
- Luke Littler vs. Gian van Veen (rematch of the recent World Championship final).
- Josh Rock vs. Jonny Clayton (debut vs. 2021 champion).
- Stephen Bunting vs. Michael van Gerwen (seven-time winner).
Fans are buzzing about these pairings, with forums highlighting Littler's rising star power and Humphries' form after his 2025 victory over Littler in the final.
Full Early Schedule
The action rolls weekly on Thursdays, introducing Antwerp as a new stop replacing Exeter:
| Night | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 5 | Utilita Arena, Newcastle |
| 2 | Feb 12 | AFAS Dome, Antwerp |
| 3 | Feb 19 | OVO Hydro, Glasgow |
| 4 | Feb 26 | SSE Arena, Belfast |
| 5 | Mar 5 | Utilita Arena, Cardiff |
Why It Matters Now
With today being January 23, 2026, tickets are going fast for Night 1—perfect timing for fans planning ahead just weeks before launch. Trending discussions on darts forums speculate on challengers like Van Gerwen staging a comeback or Littler dominating early, adding narrative fuel to this £1.25M prize pool event.
"Newcastle's Utilita Arena will play host to the opening night... headlined by the latest clash between world No. 1s."
The format promises drama: top four qualify for playoffs, with weekly £10K bonuses keeping every throw intense.
TL;DR: Starts Feb 5 in Newcastle; full schedule confirmed with Humphries defending amid hot matchups.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.