DartsNews Podcasts
Welcome to the DartsNews Podcast, the audio home of DartsNews, where our editorial team and expert contributors break down the biggest stories from the world of professional darts. From in-depth tournament previews and post-match analysis to exclusive insights on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit and major events such as the PDC World Darts Championship, each episode combines reporting, experience, and informed opinion. Drawing on years of coverage of the sport and regular contact with players, analysts, and industry figures, the DartsNews Podcast offers listeners reliable context, sharp discussion, and expert perspectives on the performances, personalities, and stories shaping modern darts.
DartsNews Podcast Hall of Fame
Andrew Gilding, Wayne Mardle, Mensur Suljovic, Peter Manley, Mark Webster, Huw Ware and Simon Whitlock
DartsNews Podcast | Netflix Beat Luke Littler controversy & Ross Smith vs MVG Premier League debate
Welcome back to The Dartsnews Podcast — and this week, we're looking back on a spectacular conclusion to the 2026 European Tour season, while turning our attention to the upcoming European Championship in Dortmund.
The spotlight first falls on the Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht, where Niels Zonneveld celebrated a remarkable breakthrough by claiming his maiden European Tour title. The hosts also discuss an encouraging return to form for Stephen Bunting, who reached his first semi-final of the season after once again increasing the weight of his darts.
But one of the biggest headlines of the weekend belonged to Gian van Veen, who produced an extraordinary 120.24 average to set a new European Tour record. Just how impressive was this historic performance, and what does it tell us about the Dutchman's current level?
Attention then turns to the future of the PDC calendar, with the introduction of the European Darts Open in Austria in 2027 sparking a wider debate. Is there still room for another major tournament, or is the darts calendar already becoming too crowded?
Finally, the hosts look ahead to the European Championship in Dortmund, sharing their title predictions and identifying the players most at risk of an early exit. Who will lift the trophy, and which big names could find themselves heading home sooner than expected?
From Zonneveld's breakthrough and Van Veen's record-breaking brilliance to calendar controversies and European Championship predictions — this episode covers it all.
DartsNews Podcast | Suljovic’s apology: Damage control? + Why Luke Humphries is STILL underrated
Was Mensur Suljovic’s apology genuine, or damage control after the Ross Smith controversy? And why is Luke Humphries STILL underrated when darts fans debate the greatest players of all time?
Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer examine Suljovic’s crowd antics at the Swiss Darts Trophy, his defiant on-stage interview and the apology that followed. We defend some of his gamesmanship, but explain where we believe he crossed the line against Smith and discuss whether the DRA should intervene.
After another outstanding weekend from Humphries, we also ask why his place among darts’ elite still attracts so much resistance. On pure ability, should he already be an obvious all-time top-ten pick?
Elsewhere, Jonny Clayton’s Basel triumph raises the question of whether the Ferret is back to his best. His call for automatic major qualification for the world’s top 16 comes under scrutiny, before we assess the European Championship race ahead of Maastricht.
Stephen Bunting and Martin Schindler face a nervous final weekend, Michael Smith is showing signs of recovery, and Mike De Decker’s struggles continue
DartsNews Podcast | Luke Humphries is BACK! Price collapse & Littler doubts after World Grand Prix (Episode 13 - 06/10/2026)
Luke Humphries is back in the winners' circle after a dramatic World Grand Prix final - but what does his Leicester triumph mean heading into the biggest part of the darts season?
Kieran Wood is joined by Nicolas Gayer and Samuel Gill to break down Humphries' first TV title of 2026, Gerwyn Price's collapse after racing into a 3-0 lead and the latest debate surrounding Luke Littler after defeats at both the World Grand Prix and World Youth Championship.
Was too much made of Littler's loss to Luke Woodhouse? Should anyone really be worried about the world number one? And is the PDC's youth system now badly in need of an overhaul?
The team also discuss James Wade's Premier League prospects, Nathan Aspinall's impressive Grand Prix run, Niels Zonneveld's rise, Jan Schmidt's surprise World Youth Championship breakthrough and whether Gary Anderson is beginning to wind down his career.
Plus, attention turns to the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel - if the biggest names actually turn up...
DartsNews Podcast | World Grand Prix Preview: Predictions, Upsets & the Nine-Dart Question (Episode 12 - 29/9/26)
Welcome back to The Dartsnews Podcast — and this week, it’s all about one of the most unique tournaments on the PDC calendar: the 2026 World Grand Prix.
Host Nicolas Gayer is joined by Dartsnews.com Head Editor Samuel Gill as the pair kick things off in the Dartsnews Hotseat, sharing their thoughts on the upcoming changes to the Players Championship Finals and European Championship in 2027. They also discuss the introduction of the European Open, a brand-new major set to take place on Austrian soil next year.
Attention then turns to the World Grand Prix and the famous Double-In, Double-Out format. Who will lift the title? Which seeded player is most in danger of falling at the first hurdle? And who could emerge as the biggest surprise of the tournament?
Nicolas and Samuel also tackle one of the World Grand Prix’s most fascinating questions: Will the 12-year wait for another nine-darter finally come to an end?
Finally, both put their reputations on the line with their Bold Predictions for the tournament — before the action gets underway.
From title picks and potential upsets to nine-dart history and some fearless predictions — this episode has everything you need ahead of the 2026 World Grand Prix.
DartsNews Podcast | Is Ross Smith ready for the Premier League - Episode 11 (21/9/26)
Welcome back to The Dartsnews Podcast — and this week, we’re looking back on all the action from the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.
Hosts Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer are once again joined by Dartsnews Editor-in-Chief Samuel Gill as the trio kick things off in the Dartsnews Hotseat, tackling two big questions: Is Ross Smith ready to make the step up to the Premier League? And should the World Series of Darts Finals really be considered a major?
Attention then turns to Amsterdam as the trio break down the tournament through a series of categories. Who emerged as the biggest winner — and who left as the biggest loser? Which player provided the surprise of the weekend, and who delivered the standout individual performance?
Kieran, Nicolas and Samuel also pick their Match of the Tournament, discuss the biggest question left unanswered after Amsterdam and give their final verdict on the event with an overall tournament rating out of ten.
Plus, the quiz returns for another test of darts knowledge before this week’s two nominees for the Dartsnews Hall of Fame are revealed.
From winners and losers to breakout performances, Premier League debates and some big questions about the World Series itself — this episode covers it all.
DartsNews Podcast | The Wade Renaissance and Reasons to worry for Schindler - Episode 10 - 14/9/26
Hosts Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer are joined by Dartsnews colleague Samuel Gill for the first time as the trio break down some of the biggest talking points in the darts world.
At the centre of the discussion is James Wade, who just celebrated his first European Tour title in more than a decade. Is the Machine enjoying a genuine renaissance? And could his resurgence even pave the way for a return to the Premier League?
Attention then turns to Martin Schindler and his recent dip in form. Is it simply a difficult spell for the German number one, or are there genuine reasons to be concerned about “The Wall” — and the current state of German darts as a whole?
The trio also look ahead to the upcoming World Series of Darts Finals, making their predictions and picking out the players they expect to make their mark. Plus, no episode would be complete without another test of darts knowledge, before this week’s nominees for the Dartsnews Hall of Fame are revealed. From Wade’s resurgence and Schindler’s struggles to World Series predictions, quiz battles and Hall of Fame debates — this milestone episode covers it all.
DartsNews Podcast | Blackpool Aftermath: Is Luke Littler Decades Ahead? Episode 9 - 3/8/26
Hosts Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer reflect on a remarkable World Matchplay in Blackpool, where Littler produced one of the greatest tournament performances in darts history, lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy with a stunning 111.04 tournament average. The big question is simple: Is Luke Littler already years — perhaps even decades — ahead of the rest of the sport? Having covered the entire tournament on site for Dartsnews, Kieran also shares exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from Blackpool, offering a closer look at life inside the iconic Winter Gardens and the stories that unfolded away from the oche.
The discussion then turns to Beau Greaves, fresh from another Women's World Matchplay title. Should she now leave the Women's Series behind and focus entirely on the PDC ProTour? And would that ultimately benefit both Greaves herself and the women's game as a whole? Plus, the episode concludes with another quiz segment, as the hosts test their knowledge in a higher-or-lower challenge featuring the career earnings of some of darts' biggest legends, before taking a trip down memory lane through the history of the World Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Also watch it on YouTube below every week.
DartsNews Podcast | World Matchplay Preview: Predictions, Dark Horses & Blackpool Insights - Episode 8 - 10/7/26
Hosts Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer look ahead to one of the biggest tournaments in world darts, as the sport returns to the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Having covered the event as a media representative in previous years, Kieran shares behind-the-scenes insights into one of the most unique venues on the PDC calendar and explains what makes the World Matchplay so special.Attention then turns to the two leading title favourites, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, as the hosts assess their chances of lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy and debate who enters Blackpool with the stronger credentials.
The discussion continues with a look at the draw, the tournament’s biggest dark horses and the players who could be set for a deep run over the coming week. Finally, it's prediction time. Who will be crowned World Matchplay champion? Who will reach the final? Which seed is most at risk of an early exit? Where could the biggest first-round upset happen? And which player has the most to prove under the lights in Blackpool? Plus, the episode wraps up with a World Matchplay-themed quiz — with predictably mixed results.
DartsNews Podcast World Cup of Darts Preview: MVPs, Upsets & Title Picks - Episode 7 08-06-2026
Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer are joined by DartsNews colleague Finlay Williams for a full 2026 World Cup of Darts preview, looking ahead to the tournament in Frankfurt and the biggest storylines around the leading nations.
The trio discuss England’s title hopes with Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, the Dutch debate around Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko question, player nationality switches, power rankings, title picks, MVP shouts, dark horses, potential disappointments and a World Cup quiz that quickly turns chaotic.
DartsNews Podcast Van Gerwen’s 122 Average & World Cup Chaos - Episode 6 14-05-2026
Hosts Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer look back on a packed weekend in Graz, where Josh Rock claimed the Austrian Darts Open title and DartsNews spoke exclusively with Austrian icon Mensur Suljovic.
The episode also covers Players Championship 15 and 16, including Michael van Gerwen’s sensational 122.34 average and Andrew Gilding’s latest late-career title success, before turning to the World Cup of Darts with discussion around Gerwyn Price’s withdrawal for Wales and Ricardo Pietreczko’s struggles ahead of Germany’s home campaign.
DartsNews Podcast Van Gerwen Headlines & Exclusive Charlie Manby Interview - Episode 5 21-04-2026
This week, the focus shifts from the Pro Tour floor to the European Tour stage as hosts Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer break down a busy stretch in the darting world. The discussion begins with Players Championship 9 and 10, where Beau Greaves continued her impressive start to life on the PDC Pro Tour, Krzysztof Ratajski showed signs of returning to top form, and concerns continued to grow around the struggles of the German contingent on the floor.
Attention then turns to the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, where Gerwyn Price underlined his strong recent form with another title. The episode also takes in the ongoing whistling issue inside darts arenas and Michael van Gerwen’s striking post-match comments, which quickly made headlines across the sport.
Plus, this episode features an exclusive interview with Charlie Manby, who speaks to DartsNews following his move to Target Darts and reflects on the next step in his professional journey.
DartsNews Podcast Premier League drama: Littler vs Van Veen & the Price question - Episode 4 03-04-2026
This week, we dive into one of the most talked-about Premier League moments of the season so far. Hosts Kieran Wood and Nicolas Gayer break down the heated clash between Gian van Veen and Luke Littler during the Manchester night’s rematch of the World Championship final — an incident that has dominated headlines and sparked plenty of debate across the darting world. Is Luke Humphries still the second-best player on the planet right now? And are we witnessing the greatest version of Gerwyn Price we’ve ever seen on a dartboard? From Premier League drama to big legacy questions at the top of the sport, the conversation covers some of the defining storylines shaping the 2026 season. Plus, the quiz segment returns as the hosts once again go head-to-head in their latest darts knowledge showdown. Debates, bold takes, and plenty more along the way.
DartsNews Podcast UK Open Special: Winners, Losers & Inside stories from Minehead - Episode 3 12-03-2026
Who were the biggest winners and losers of the 2026 UK Open? Which performances truly stood out on one of darts’ most unpredictable stages? And what were the moments that defined this year’s tournament? All is discussed on the latest episode of the DartsNews Podcast.
From standout displays to surprise exits, atmosphere inside the arena and our final verdict on the UK Open 2026 — this episode covers it all.
DartsNews Podcast The beginning of the End for Snakebit? - Episode 2 27-02-2026
Are we witnessing the final chapter of Peter “Snakebite” Wright’s illustrious career? We take a closer look at the two-time World Champion’s recent performances and ask whether this could be the last year of one of the PDC’s true greats.
We also unpack the worrying downturns of Raymond van Barneveld and Dimitri Van den Bergh. What’s really behind their struggles — a dip in form, a crisis of confidence, or something deeper? As well as previewing the UK Open in depth.
DartsNews Podcast 113 historic wins, Premier Leagye Picks & the year of Goldfinger? - Episode 1 12-02-2026
The 2026 Premier League Darts line-up quickly became a point of discussion on the opening episode of the DartsNews Podcast, reflecting a wider conversation about how the competition’s places are now decided. With established names missing out and others selected, the focus shifted beyond individual cases towards the broader balance between form, profile, and opportunity.
That discussion gained further weight when James Wade responded to his omission on the board, lifting the first Players Championship title of the season, while attention around Stephen Bunting’s inclusion turned to what a full Premier League campaign can represent for a player at this stage of his career.
Other talking points on Episode One included Beau Greaves' astonishing 113 match winning streak, early Premier League predictions and one big question: could 2026 be the year of Goldfinger?
Listen to the opening episode above!
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026
- Fair play to Fallon. But...shows the mockery when a professional players wins what was meant to be an amateur v Pro event, Littlers performance was poor, and what about the players who didn't get a game? Would have been better if the pot was split amoungst all the winners and they all got a leg.BandB31-10-2026
- Not even slightly interestedrick6730-10-2026
- And yet the PDC has decided to aggravate this problem by doubling the Players Championship Finals field from 2027. I can't imagine there will be fewer withdrawals next year with even less reason to turn up. I can only hope that a whole slew of Challenge Tour top-up players receive enough prize money in the absence of much of the elite, that some of the more complacent among them struggle to scrape into even a heavily diluted field! More semi-pro players will get to test their mettle, but the standard of competition will be much inferior. It could hardly be said that the Players Championship series will provide an opportunity for darts' second string to test their Tour Card credentials anymore, but at least it will underscore the achievements of those Challenge Tour players of current and previous years, who were able to prove themselves as more than capable of competing with, and beating, the elite of the sport on a consistent basis, and reaping the due rewards.Deduce635828-10-2026