“It needs revamping. A lot of the players are not enjoying it" - Phil Taylor joins call for Premier League Darts format change

Last week saw the conclusion of the 2025 Premier League Darts season, with Luke Humphries defeating fellow Englishman Luke Littler 11–8 in the final. Six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor believes it’s time for change at the top, and has called for the current format to be revamped.

In recent years, the Premier League has consisted of sixteen league nights followed by play-offs between the top four. Each night plays out in a knockout format starting from the quarter-finals — a structure that has come under increasing criticism, with many fans branding it stale and repetitive.

“It’s very tiring… I think they do need to look at it now,” said Taylor. “It needs revamping, that’s what I think. A lot of the players are not enjoying it and you can tell.”

Taylor was impressed by the standard of play on show throughout this year’s competition.

“Luke and Luke are really setting the standards at the moment, and the levels they’re producing and how they’re bringing the best out of each other — it’s incredible for the rest of the sport,” he said. “And not just Luke and Luke — I love watching Chris Dobey. Great scorer, just misses a few doubles, that’s the only thing with Chris’s game at the minute. Nathan Aspinall is playing superb. Absolutely superb. He’s won two or three of these Premier Leagues. He’s done brilliant.”

With the strength of competition increasing, Taylor believes Humphries and Littler need to stay focused to avoid being overtaken. “It’s not just about the two Lukes now. There are other players coming after them. So they must stay dedicated, they must stay professional and do the practising. Even if you have to just cancel a few exhibitions or don’t book as many — but make sure you’re fit and healthy and fresh.”

One man who hasn't been as successful of late, is Taylor's old rival Michael van Gerwen. “No, not really surprised,” Taylor said when asked about Van Gerwen’s struggles.

“I think he’s been struggling a while. The only thing Michael’s doing wrong is missing a few doubles. That’s the only chink in his armour at the minute. His belief isn’t like it was when I was playing. I think it’s just the schedule. He’s getting older, he’s got a family to think about. And he’s also enjoying his life a little bit now — he’s having holidays and things like that. But the trouble is, it comes back and bites you.”

Taylor himself knows how difficult it is to stay sharp after time away from the sport.

“I used to take a dartboard even when I went on a cruise. That was hard because the boat’s moving, but I still kept my arm going,” he said. “You can practise for six months on the trot — it’s like the gym. You can run five miles on a treadmill, then you have a week off and you can’t run five miles when you get back. You have to build back up again. Exactly the same.”

Meanwhile, the announcement of a major increase in prize money — including a £1 million first prize at the upcoming World Championship — was welcomed by the 16-time world champion.

“That’s brilliant. The prize money’s gone up ever since we first started. The first time me and Dennis played, it was £10,000 or £15,000. Now it’s a million — and probably half a million for the runner-up. It’s great. It really is.”

“Barry [Hearn] told me 15 years ago that he was going to do it. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t go up to £2 million for the winner,” Taylor added. “Barry will keep pushing forward and he’ll get more and more youngsters practising, because it’s a sport that anybody can do.”