“If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” – PDC President sees little reason to change the Premier League format

Sixteen weeks with the same eight top players on the sport’s biggest stage. On paper it sounds like a dream for every darts fan, but after the conclusion of the 2026 Premier League Darts the debate over the current format has flared up again. While some fans relish the constant showdowns between the circuit’s biggest names, calls for more variety and fresh faces are growing louder from elsewhere.

The Premier League Darts ranks alongside the World Championship as one of the PDC’s most prestigious tournaments. Receiving an invitation is, for many players, a reward for their performances. This year’s line-up featured Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gian van Veen. Over sixteen nights they faced each other in a nightly mini-tournament, with the evening’s winner earning the most points.

Since the introduction of the current format in 2022, the number of participants was reduced from ten to eight players. The traditional system in which each player contested one match per night was also abandoned. The change produced more clashes between the absolute elite, but it has its downside.

For instance, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries met no fewer than nine times this season. Their rivalry again delivered spectacular matches, capped by the final in which Littler edged it 11-10 to claim his second Premier League title. Yet many supporters wonder whether such fixtures are not returning too often.

On social media and darts forums, criticism that the format has become predictable is increasingly common. Fans are craving more variety and point to earlier editions of the Premier League, in which local guest players regularly had the chance to test themselves against the world’s best on home soil. That not only produced new storylines, but also gave emerging talents a stage to showcase themselves.

However, according to PDC chairman Barry Hearn, there is no reason to jump to hasty conclusions. “Every year we carry out a review, and we’ll do that now as well,” Hearn told HLN. “But if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

The numbers back up that statement. The Premier League once again drew packed houses across Europe in 2026. According to Hearn, as many as 98.2 percent of all available tickets were sold. “That’s incredible. Of course you see an empty seat here and there, but virtually everywhere the arenas were full. That shows that fans are still turning out in force to watch these players,” he said.

For the PDC, there is more at play than just the sporting aspect. The Premier League has grown into one of the most important commercial products in the darts world. In every host city, fans want to see the biggest stars live in action, which leaves the organisation with little incentive to drastically alter a successful concept.

Even so, Hearn does not rule out changes in the future. “Darts keeps growing, and that’s why we always look at how we can improve our events. The Premier League may change one day, but first we’re going to assess everything calmly,” he explained.

The sport’s growth was visible again this season during the night in Antwerp. For the first time, the Premier League touched down in Belgium, where thousands of fans created a raucous atmosphere. “I’m absolutely delighted we came to Antwerp. It had been a dream for years to bring the Premier League there, and the crowd made that night unforgettable,” said Hearn.

According to the Briton, a key part of the sport’s future lies in developing new stars from different countries. “People want to see players from their own country succeed. That’s what makes sport special. I hope that in the future we’ll have major winners from all the countries where darts is popular, including from the Netherlands and Belgium.”

That gets to the heart of the debate. On the one hand, fans want more variety and opportunities for new names, while on the other, attendance and viewing figures prove that the current concept remains hugely popular. The upcoming review will determine whether the PDC sticks with the winning formula or cautiously tweaks a format that is increasingly questioned on sporting grounds.

One thing is certain: the debate over the future of Premier League Darts is far from over.