The PDC Premier League is a professional darts competition that has been held annually since 2005, featuring eight to ten of the world's top players who compete over three months, culminating in a playoff night. Initially held in smaller UK venues, the league has expanded to larger arenas across Europe by 2025 and is sponsored by BetMGM. Phil Taylor dominated the early years, winning the first four seasons, and Michael van Gerwen later set a record with seven season wins, though only matching Taylor's four consecutive titles. Recent years have seen format changes with weekly mini knockouts offering prize money and league points, and the competition has sparked discussions, especially around player selections, such as the young player Luke Littler’s controversial but triumphant debut win in 2024. Iconic moments include perfect legs by ten players and Phil Taylor's legendary 9-Darts Double, which remain as highlights in the league's history.

The PDC Premier League, established in 2005, is a key event in professional darts, featuring top players in a three-month-long competition with the top four players reaching a final playoff night.

Originally held in modest UK venues, the league has grown to occupy larger stages, with matches being hosted in significant arenas across the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe by 2025.

Phil Taylor, known as 'The Power', dominated the initial seasons, winning the first four events, while Michael van Gerwen later achieved a record of seven season victories, including four consecutive wins.

The league's format has evolved, with changes such as weekly mini knockout events offering £10,000 in prize money and contributing points toward the overall league standings.

The selection of players often causes debates and controversies, notably with young talent Luke Littler's unexpected victory in 2024, which reignited discussions about debutant winners in the league.

Iconic moments in the league's history include Raymond van Barneveld's and Phil Taylor's perfect legs, with Taylor's 9-Darts Double against James Wade being celebrated as a pinnacle of the competition.

The Premier League's rich history is illustrated by a diverse roll of honour, with eight different winners over the years, reflecting the competitive and unpredictable nature of the event.

The Professional Darts Corporation’s showcase travelling event, The Premier League, has been with us since 2005 and the basic principle has not changed. Between eight and ten of the best players in the world are selected to do battle over a 3 month period with the top four reaching a climactic playoff/finals night.

Back then we were treated to unglamorous UK venues such as Stoke-on-Trent’s Kings Hall  rather than 10,000 and more seater venues in the UK Ireland and across continental Europe that are being visited in 2025.

It will come as no surprise to fans of the steel tip game that the inaugural holding was dominated and won by Phil Taylor. Indeed ”The Power‘ won the first four seasons before James Wade snatched the 2009 event.

Since then the Premier League, now sponsored by BetMGM, has a total of 8 different winners with Michael Van Gerwen winning a record seven seasons but still only matching Phil’s run of four titles in-a-row.

The annual field confirmation - due to it being made up at least two and currently four 'selections' - often stimulates fierce early season debate and often drives the darts conversation until the finals of the event itself. Luke Littler's age, Chris Dobey's lack of event wins, and Peter Wrights form have all provided selection controversy in recent years.

The most recent format change has seen every weekly event turned into a mini knockout for £10,000 on the night prize money as well as points toward the overall league table.

A recent phenomena of debutants winning the event seemed to halted when, in 2023, MVG prevented Joe Cullen from becoming the third new player in a row, following Glen Durrant and Jonny Clayton, to win.

Warrington phenomena Luke Littler’s remarkable triumph in 2024, after many had questioned his selection, may have kicked started the debutant habit once again. The Nuke's perfect leg in the final of 2024’s edition was yet another stunning moment in the teenager's incredible rise to the summit of world darts.

Ten men have hit perfect legs including that iconic first one from Raymond van Barneveld shortly after his crossing from the BDO.

Although, surely even those momentous occasions are dwarfed by the legendary 9-Darts Double from that man Phil Taylor. 'The Power' bagging a 2-for-1 versus James Wade drove the audience, and commentators alike, into fits of ecstasy and is surely the Premier League’s most magical moment.

 (8 Winners):

2005 – Phil Taylor def Colin Lloyd 16-4

2006 – Phil Taylor def Roland Scholten 16-6

2007 – Phil Taylor def Terry Jenkins 16-6

2008 – Phil Taylor def James Wade 16-8

2009 – James Wade def Mervyn King 13-8

2010 – Phil Taylor def James Wade 10-8

2011 – Gary Anderson def Adrian Lewis 10-4

2012 – Phil Taylor def Simon Whitlock 10-7

2013 – Michael van Gerwen def Phil Taylor 10-8

2014 – Raymond van Barneveld def Michael van Gerwen 10-6

2015 – Gary Anderson def Michael van Gerwen 11-7

2016 – Michael van Gerwen def Phil Taylor 11-3

2017 – Michael van Gerwen def Peter Wright 11-10

2018 – Michael van Gerwen def Michael Smith 11-4

2019 – Michael van Gerwen def Rob Cross 11-5

2020 – Glen Durrant def Nathan Aspinall 11-8

2021 – Jonny Clayton def Jose de Sousa 11-5

2022 – Michael van Gerwen def Joe Cullen 11-10

2023 – Michael van Gerwen def Gerwyn Price 11-5

2024 – Luke Littler def Luke Humphries 11-7

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Image: Michael Cooper