Michael van Gerwen demands drastic Premier League rule change hours before first night

Michael van Gerwen demands drastic Premier League rule change hours before first night

Michael van Gerwen has called for a major overhaul of the Premier League Darts format just hours before the 2026 season got under way, insisting the sport’s flagship competition must evolve to stay fresh and fair.

The three-time world champion’s outspoken comments came as the Premier League prepared to begin its 16-week tour in Newcastle on Thursday night, with eight of the world’s top players set to compete across four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a nightly final.

Van Gerwen — one of the most successful players in PDC history — argued that the current structure, which sees the same eight players contesting every night of the league phase, has become too predictable and risks diluting fan interest.

“It’s been a great format for many years, but things change,” Van Gerwen said in the hours leading up to the opening night. “We’re seeing the same fixtures and, over time, that repetition becomes noticeable. Something needs to evolve so it feels fresh for players and fans alike.”

Under the current system, players face each other once over the first seven weeks and again between weeks nine and 15. Weeks eight and 16 feature seedings based on league standings at those points, with points accumulated across all nights determining who progresses to Finals Night in London in May.

Van Gerwen stopped short of outlining a specific alternative, but hinted that greater variety in matchups — or even an expanded field — could help address the repetitiveness he believes has crept into the schedule.

“It’s not a criticism of the event itself,” he added. “The Premier League is incredible, but fans deserve variety — and so do the players. We have so much talent now, it feels like there should be opportunities for more than eight players to feature throughout the season.”

The Dutchman’s comments echoed broader discussions among players and pundits about the future direction of the Premier League, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last season and has undergone several format tweaks since its inception.

PDC chief executive Matt Porter acknowledged earlier this year that the format may eventually change, saying the league “will evolve” over time while defending the current structure as successful by most metrics.

“We never keep any format forever in the Premier League,” Porter said, pointing to the event’s history of adjustments and the need to balance consistency with fresh appeal.

Van Gerwen, 36, has been a stalwart of the Premier League throughout much of his career and remains one of its most popular figures. His backing of a structural rethink adds weight to calls for innovation within one of darts’ flagship events.

Despite the pre-match buzz, Van Gerwen was scheduled to take to the oche on Thursday night as part of the opening fixtures, with fans eager to see whether his on-board performance will match his bold statements off it.

The 2026 Premier League continues over the next 16 weeks, culminating in a Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 28, where the season’s top four will compete for the £350,000 top prize.