“If I win, I probably will have a little cry” – Stephen Bunting braced for emotional homecoming as Premier League heads to Liverpool

With the 2026 Premier League Darts heading to Liverpool, a defining night awaits Stephen Bunting. Playing at home brings emotion and expectation, but the Englishman is keeping his approach simple as he looks to strengthen his push for the playoffs.

“I’m very excited. I don’t think there’s any extra pressure, to be honest. I think I’ve had a decent campaign so far, winning games and playing to a high standard. I’m just really looking forward to it,” Bunting previews to Online Darts ahead of his homecoming night.

Liverpool carries extra meaning for Bunting, with family, friends and sponsors all set to be in attendance. Rather than letting that weigh on him, he is embracing the occasion while keeping his focus on performance.

Competing in your home city can easily become overwhelming, but Bunting is sticking to the same process that has carried him through the season.

“Pretend I’m in Spain!” he joked, before outlining his preparation. “It’s just about staying focused and working hard behind the scenes like I always do. I’ll get to the venue early, get used to it, spend time on the practice board, and make sure I’m 100% ready when I step on stage.”

That consistency has kept him firmly in the mix in the Premier League Darts standings, with a playoff spot not out of the question for the former Lakeside champion.

While the race for the top four and a place at The O2 Arena remains tight, Bunting is avoiding any focus on numbers.

“Once you start setting targets, you put more pressure on yourself. It’s just about turning up, going for the win, and taking each game as it comes. We’ll see where we are at the end. It won’t be for lack of trying, I always give it everything.”

That mindset reflects the reality of the Premier League format, where even strong performances do not always translate into results.

His recent clash with Josh Rock underlined that point. “I felt like I played well too. I watched it back and didn’t make many mistakes. Sometimes it’s just hard luck. That’s gone now, and I’m focused on tomorrow.”

The Liverpool crowd is expected to play a major role, and Bunting knows from experience how powerful that can be, having previously dealt with hostile atmospheres against players such as Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price.

“It can be difficult," Bunting admits. "You expect it. Liverpool will be great for me, and I hope it helps. But I think the crowd will be respectful. Hopefully we all play our best and give them a night to remember.”

Returning to his home city is likely to bring added emotion on the walk-on. “It’s always emotional in front of your home fans. I’ll probably take a couple of extra seconds, take a deep breath.”

That emotional edge could extend beyond the walk-on if things go his way on stage. Victory in front of a home crowd, with playoff momentum on the line, would carry real weight. “If I win, I probably will have a little cry.”

External opinions, including bookmaker predictions, are not something Bunting pays much attention to. “I don’t really take much notice of that. You can end up overthinking your game. The bookies can think what they want. I’ve already won a night this year in Belfast and I’m giving it my best every week.”

Instead, his motivation remains internal. “Being in the Premier League is motivation enough. I go into every tournament trying to win.”

He takes a similar view when it comes to crowd reactions. “Fans will react how they want. It’s out of our control. As long as I keep doing my own thing and staying out of trouble, hopefully I won’t give anyone a reason to boo.”

With the home crowd behind him and momentum still within reach, Bunting heads into one of the standout nights of his campaign. The approach, however, does not change. Keep the routine, stay focused, and let the performance decide the outcome.