Jonny Clayton, the reigning champion from 2021, along with Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price, have been selected as the four wildcards for the upcoming season of the BetMGM Premier League. These four players will join the top four automatic picks based on their Order of Merit standings, including the double world champion Luke Littler, current world No. 1 Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen.
This year’s Premier League will feature some newcomers, with van Veen and Rock making their debuts after impressive performances. Van Veen’s recent success at Alexandra Palace has propelled him to the third spot in the world rankings, surpassing van Gerwen to become the new Dutch number one. Van Gerwen, a seven-time Premier League champion, will be looking to reclaim his title.
The season will span 17 weeks, with 16 weeks of league matches commencing in Newcastle on Thursday, February 5, leading up to the final showdown at The O2 in London on May 28. Littler, fresh off his world championship victory, aims to continue his winning streak and secure another title at the Premier League.
Clayton, currently ranked world No. 5, clinched the Premier League title in 2021 by defeating Jose de Sousa in the final. Meanwhile, Bunting, ranked seventh globally, had a successful campaign with six PDC titles under his belt, including wins in Bahrain, Copenhagen, Riesa, and Basel.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed excitement about the revamped lineup for this year’s tournament, anticipating thrilling matches for darts fans across the UK and Europe. The intense competition is expected to build on the momentum from the recent World Championship, with high expectations for the upcoming season and the debut of the BetMGM Premier League in Belgium.
The tournament format will feature 16 nights of action, each comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final played over the best of 11 legs. Points will be awarded each night to determine the league table standings, with the top four players progressing to Finals Night for a chance at the coveted title.