Ahead of Premier League Darts 2026, we asked: sky sports‘Experts’ big predictions for the tournament…
Emma Patton’s Predictions
Who will get off to the best start in the PL?
Luke Littler – But isn’t that obvious!? I don’t think the world champion will have too many problems early on and I think he will want to make a statement.
Aside from Littler, I think Gerwyn Price will be keen to make his good form count for something this year. A good start in the Premier League will help!
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Luke Littler looks back on how he won his second successive World Darts Championship title.
Who will be a late qualifier for Finals Night?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Jonny Clayton is in the mix. The former Premier League champion was desperate to regain his place.
He’s got his chance now and I’m sure he wants to make it count.
Who will be the winner of PL Darts 2026?
It’s too hard to bet against Luke Littler. I think he was bruised after losing to Luke Humphreys in last year’s final after being so dominant all season.
He won’t want to leave without a trophy this time.
Wayne Mardle’s Predictions
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Take a look back at how Luke Humphries won the 2025 Premier League title.
Who will get off to the best start in the PL?
Look, without being boring and predictable, you have to feel like Luke Littler is going to win most weeks.
I think he and Luke Humphries are heads and shoulders behind Gian van Veen, the world’s third-best player. But it seems like they are.
So I’ll stick with Luke and Luke. I think they are the ones to beat. I think one of them will go on to win in the end. It would be difficult to do business with them week after week.
Who can make it to Finals Night late?
I think Josh Rock may not have played particularly well in the Masters quarterfinals, but the Premier League could be made for him. It really is.
I think we’ll have to be busy with three games a week, midweek and night. Even if you leave, you should still be good enough and I think he is. I think he could be the one.
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Take a look at Josh Rock’s best check-outs ahead of his Premier League debut.
Who will lift the trophy?
Littler might be your favorite.
As we approach the World Masters semifinals, I really like the way Luke Humphries is playing. i like it. He looks like a million bucks and he’s talking about something that’s actually exciting.
I’ll be there to see Luke Humphries win it after the Premier League ends.
Mark Webster’s Predictions
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Take a look at Gian van Veen’s best checks ahead of his Premier League debut.
Who will get off to the best start in the PL?
It’s easy to say it’s one of the Lukes, but I’d go for Gian van Veen to fit in really well.
I talked to him last week and I asked him if he was nervous about this year and he said he wasn’t and he was excited and looking forward to it.
When it’s new and exciting, just go there and enjoy it. Some players in the Premier League have too much scar tissue and they will think about it.
So for Gian and Josh Rock, I think they’re off to a bright start and it’ll be interesting.
It’s going to be a really tough Premier League.
Who will be a late qualifier for Finals Night?
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Chris Murphy says he doesn’t know what to expect from Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League this year.
I think the usual suspects will be there, and we should expect Josh to be well prepared.
I think Jonny Clayton, because of his experience, would usually find a way to make the playoffs and be there.
I will be by your side. No matter who hits the ground, no one will be left adrift like Peter Wright did back in the day or Stephen Bunting did last year when he caught a cold.
I think they’ll all do their part and it might come down to a few bridges, a few points here and there.
It’s going to be a really exciting Premier League, but Jonny, with his experience, will never be able to get out of the play-offs.
Who will be the winner of PL Darts 2026?
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Wayne Mardle has revealed who is lucky and unlucky to be included in the Premier League darts 2026 line-up.
It’s easy to say Luke Littler, but don’t forget that Week 16 doesn’t make much of a difference in Week 17 other than being in the top four. The 17th is a separate competition.
I’ll be waiting for him to win it because I think he’ll want to get it back, but I don’t think he’ll have it all his way for 17 weeks.
There are few people who will win, but it takes a long time, right? Things may change, but I can’t see anything other than him winning the title again.
John Part’s Predictions
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Luke Littler defeated Luke Humphries in deciding sets to claim his maiden Winmau World Masters.
Who will get off to the best start in the PL?
I fully expect Luke Littler to thrive early on in this year’s competition, despite having other top names competing against him in the first round in the early weeks, and to come out on top and walk away from there after Week 4.
Who will be a late qualifier for Finals Night?
I see Jonny Clayton as a player who might not go out well, but will play hard and surge in the final few weeks to secure a spot on finals night.
Perhaps in dramatic fashion, as he did in his debut win over Dimitri van den Berg in 2021.
Who will be the winner of PL Darts 2026?
I see Luke Littler topping the list, finishing in second place by a bigger margin than the 11 points he surpassed Luke Humphries last year, and I see him winning the title again.
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Wayne Mardle provides a different angle of Luke Humphries’ nine-darter at the World Masters as he watches with Luke Littler.
Polly James Predictions
Who will get off to the best start in the PL?
I think Littler will want to show off his muscles and put on a show as a double world champion. He will want to get maximum points early to avoid being chased.
Who will be a late qualifier for Finals Night?
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Gerwin Price has made a bold prediction ahead of the Premier League in 2026.
If Gezzy doesn’t make the top four, I have a feeling he’ll fight to the end to secure his spot. He is the type of player who brings a stubborn, steely mentality that refuses to quit no matter how ugly things get.
Who will be the winner of PL Darts 2026?
It’s smaller. There is too much gear and too many levels. He wouldn’t miss it this year if given the opportunity on finals night.
Stuart Pike’s Predictions
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Luke Littler came agonizingly close to a nine-darter during his dramatic opening-round win over Mike de Decker at the Winmau World Masters.
Who will get off to the best start in the PL?
Let’s go! A brilliant four months of Darts, with all roads leading to the O2 at the end of May.
As always, there is a lot of controversy surrounding certain choices. Everyone will have an opinion, but now it’s business that matters!
It’s really hard to look past Luke Littler right now. He was aiming to regain the title after losing to his great nemesis Luke Humphries in the 2025 final.
Their latest epic at the Masters will be the first of many this year.
Littler targeted another PL 9-darter and a record average. He’s chasing 125 and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that goal is achieved!
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Ross Smith reacts as opponent Luke Littler lands another 11-darter to take a third-set lead at the Winmau World Masters.
Who will be a late qualifier for Finals Night?
Littler and Humphries will advance to the semi-finals and for me Gerwyn Price has earned a place as has the hugely talented Gian van Veen on his debut.
This tournament will be the perfect event for him to shine.
Who will be the winner of PL Darts 2026?
victor? Yeah it’s boring but I can’t pass by Littler
Who will be the Premier League Darts winner this year? Luke Humphries is set to defend his title and you can watch the action every Thursday from February to May on Sky Sports. Stream the best sports including darts with NOW.
