“It’s unthinkable to have a Premier League without Michael van Gerwen, isn’t it?" - Imminent ranking drop could leave van Gerwen's place for 2027 Premier League Darts under threat

Michael van Gerwen is currently in a dogfight to get into the playoffs and reach finals night in the Premier League Darts. Someone who has been a staple of the Premier League for so long, there are fears that he could miss out next year if he cannot defend the upcoming sums of prize money.

Sitting in fourth, 'Mighty Mike' is two points clear of fellow countryman Gian van Veen and reigning champion Luke Humphries. Incredibly, van Gerwen has failed to make it to finals nights on only two occasions - 2021 and 2025. It could be two consecutive years in which the seven-time winner is not present at the O2, a changing of the guard.

There has been doubts casted over his possible inclusion into the event next year. Not hitting his peak powers enough over time, early major exits and a lack of silverware is costing him with his consistency on the oche being scrutinised. He has proven to still be a top darter, defeating world number one Luke Littler at the World Series of Darts Finals final last year to end his major drought.

However, there are concerns of an imminent drop down the rankings. He has already been toppled as the Dutch number one thanks to Gian van Veen's run to the final of the PDC World Darts Championship. With a World Matchplay final to defend, he could slip as low as world number 20 ahead of the 2026/27 World Championship with him defending the money earned from the final two years prior.

Pundit Michael Bridge raised concerns surrounding van Gerwen. If this slip in the rankings is as drastic as some predict, then his future involvement in the Premier League could be questioned.

“It’s unthinkable to have a Premier League without Michael van Gerwen, isn’t it?" he said on the Love the Darts Podcast. “For me, it’s not just the thought of when we go to the Netherlands or Germany, people want him everywhere."

While Bridge still sees a top player, the poor form may be something the PDC question when picking its 2027 lineup. “He’s still got that aura about him. I just think it would be something the PDC would have to ponder, wouldn’t they, if his form was poor and he was trickling down the Order of Merit.”

Van Gerwen began the Premier League in fine voice, winning the first night before reaching the final. A barren spell saw him lose sight of the leaders, dragging him into a battle for the last remaining qualification spots.

Former professional Mark Webster believes the Premier League Darts should be one of his priorities in this current space of time. “The level has been there and it’s his line isn’t it, doing the right things at the right time," he stated. “He’s just not had that timing to get a few more points. He’s done okay this season, I think, because obviously he’s missed a week, hasn’t he? There’s been some big averages, but defeats in there."

This has been an ongoing issue for the three-time world champion. “But it was sort of like this time last year, obviously there were issues as well. The Premier League campaign started to unwind for him. He needs a strong end, because obviously he wants to get himself in that top four, having missed it last year for only the second time."

The Welshman did not question van Gerwen's attitude, citing a big 2026 for him. “So, for Michael, I think the attitude is good. I do think he’s spoken about it. There are bigger priorities. He’d love to be in the top four of the Premier League, but he knows there’s a lot of prize money to defend.

“I think he’s provisionally, with all his money taken off — I know he’ll win money back — but down at sort of 18 or 19 in the world. So, I think that’s his bigger priority this year. But of course, he’s going to be competitive in the Premier League with what, just three weeks of league play left. He can get himself to the playoffs and he’ll fancy himself against anyone in that final four.”

Van Gerwen will be back in action against none other than Littler in the quarterfinals of night 14 in Leeds.