Simon Whitlock begins ANZ Premier League title defence against former World Championship star

PDC
Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 08:00
Simon Whitlock (2)
Simon Whitlock begins his bid to retain the ANZ Premier League title on Saturday. The Australian darts legend faces Joe Comito on opening night in Canberra. Over the next six weekends, eight players from Australia and New Zealand will battle for the top prize and a coveted ticket to the World Darts Championship.
ADVERTISEMENT
The ANZ Premier League will be staged for the second time in 2026. On each of the first five nights a complete mini-tournament is played, consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final. After Night 5, the top four in the standings qualify for the big Finals Day on 31.10.2026 in Brisbane.
There is plenty at stake. The eventual champion earns 30,000 dollars in prize money and secures a spot at the 2026/27 World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. The winner also receives a ticket for November’s Grand Slam of Darts.

Whitlock opens against Comito

Much of the focus on opening night will be on Whitlock. “The Wizard” won the inaugural ANZ Premier League last year and starts his title defence against Comito.
The Perth thrower already has experience on the sport’s biggest stage. Comito produced a standout result at the last World Darts Championship by knocking out Niko Springer.
Simon Whitlock celebrates a big score
Simon Whitlock became the first winner of the ANZ Premier League Darts in 2025
Another eye-catching tie pits Raymond Smith against Brody Klinge. Smith finished runner-up in last year’s ANZ Premier League, while Klinge has made his mark this season on the ADA Tour.
ADVERTISEMENT
Klinge topped the ADA Tour ranking after a season-long duel with Smith. He also reached the final of the Australian Darts Masters. The two Australians now meet immediately on the first night in Canberra.

All-Kiwi clash

The New Zealanders face each other straight away as well. Jonny Tata and Ben Robb, who formed New Zealand’s duo at the World Cup of Darts, meet in the quarter-finals.
The season opener features Tim Pusey against Mal Cuming. The latter previously won the Trans-Tasman Championship.
After the curtain-raiser at the AIS Arena in Canberra, the field moves through Australia and New Zealand. The following nights are in Adelaide, Melbourne and Auckland, before the final points for the regular standings are handed out in Newcastle.
ADVERTISEMENT
The battle then shifts to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for the decider on 31.10.2026. The remaining four players will decide who is crowned champion of the second ANZ Premier League. The winner also claims the biggest reward: a spot on the Alexandra Palace stage.

ANZ Premier League Darts 2026 schedule

Saturday 26.09.2026, Canberra - Night 1

Tim Pusey v Mal Cuming QF
Raymond Smith v Brody Klinge QF
Simon Whitlock v Joe Comito QF
Jonny Tata v Ben Robb QF
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 SF
Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 SF
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL
ADVERTISEMENT

Saturday 03.10.2026, Adelaide - Night 2

Raymond Smith v Ben Robb QF
Jonny Tata v Brody Klinge QF
Tim Pusey v Joe Comito QF
Simon Whitlock v Mal Cuming QF
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 SF
Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 SF
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL

Saturday 10.10.2026, Melbourne - Night 3

Simon Whitlock v Brody Klinge QF
Jonny Tata v Mal Cuming QF
Tim Pusey v Ben Robb QF
Raymond Smith v Joe Comito QF
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 SF
Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 SF
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL

Friday 16.10.2026, Auckland - Night 4 

ADVERTISEMENT
Jonny Tata v Joe Comito QF
Raymond Smith v Mal Cuming QF
Simon Whitlock v Ben Robb QF
Tim Pusey v Brody Klinge QF
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 SF
Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 SF
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL

Saturday 24.10.2026, Newcastle - Night 5

#1 v #8 QF
#4 v #5 QF
#2 v #7 QF
#3 v #6 QF
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 SF
Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 SF
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL

Saturday 31.10.2026, Brisbane - Play-offs

#1 v #4 SF
#2 v #3 SF
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL
ADVERTISEMENT
claps 0visitors 0
loading

Just in

Popular news

Loading