Since 2022, Premier League Darts has played each week according to mini-tournaments. Starting with the quarter-finals, this means that each week is worked toward a weekly winner.
You used to play one match per night in Premier League Darts. "Those matches against Phil Taylor were always fraught," Raymond van Barneveld recalled on the podcast Dartpraat.
"Whether it was a Premier League or a World Championship, you could always build towards it. Van Barneveld against Van Gerwen, Van Barneveld against Taylor and Van Gerwen against Taylor. You could look forward to that."
"Now I don't like anything about it," continued 'Barney'. "Every week Luke Littler against Humphries or Littler against Van Gerwen. I think it's 'too much.' And then two days later on the Euro Tour they are playing against each other again."
Next darter
Van Barneveld, however, has fond memories of Premier League Darts. In 2014 he won the tournament and in 2006 he made history by becoming the first player to throw a nine-darter in Premier League Darts. "It was pretty rare on television back then," said the five-time world champion. "When I did that everyone went crazy of course."