Premier League Darts to be staged in FIFTH country as Barry Hearn reveals venue
Having already been staged in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands, Premier League Darts will head to a fifth country for the 2026 edition of the tournament
Premier League Darts will head to Belgium next year after Barry Hearn confirmed a fifth host country. PDC president Hearn has revealed that Antwerp is being added to the fixture list for 2026.
This year's tournament saw the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany play host to stars like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. But Belgium has been growing in darting stature, with Belgian Open now on the European Tour and the Flanders Trophy being added to the calendar in 2024.
Players have enjoyed themselves and praised the Belgian crowd's behaviour. Sell-out venues have seen the demand for a spot on the Premier League fixture list grow.
Now their place confirmed. The news was announced as Humphries beat defending champion Littler 11-8 in Thursday's final at the O2 Arena.
Former Winmau World Masters champion Erik Clarys, who's now a commentator for Belgian broadcaster VTM, said: "I honestly didn't see this coming. But it shows just how popular darts has become in our country. I'm sure it's going to be a spectacular night."
Humphries will be the player defending the title, having come from 3-0 down to beat 18-year-old Littler. Cool Hand became only the fourth player to complete darts' Triple Crown.
Previously, only Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen had won the World Championship, World Matchplay and the Premier League. "That one means the world to me. That's what I was missing. I have done it now," Humphries beamed.
"If I don't win another title, I'm happy because I've done the three hardest ones to do. I've joined an exclusive group of me, Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
"To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support. He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. If he's watching, then thank you. I'm really happy with that win.
Which other country should Premier League Darts be held? Give us your pick in the comments section.
"I can retire now - I'm done! I want to search for more. This makes me want to be a better player. I've won eight major titles. Now it's important to finish the end of the season well.
"It wasn't our best game. We struggled. I love Luke to bits. He's one of my best mates on tour. He wasn't at his best. It was hard. We struggled to cope with the conditions."
Littler will be keen to bounce back in 2026, admitting to Sky Sports: "I had a little bit of a thing after the game - nobody likes losing - but I'm fine. I am glad to say the Premier League is over - it's been a tough 17 weeks. Happy it's over, and I came runner-up, but I will be back next year."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal target Rodrygo sends transfer message but is met with brutal response
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been linked with Arsenal among other clubs this summer and the Brazil international has now told the club hierarchy where he sees his future Rodrygo has told Real Madrid he is determined to stay and fight for his place at the Bernabeu - but he will only be given the Club World Cup tournament to prove his worth to Xabi Alonso. The Brazil forward, 24, has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer amid speculation that the Spanish giants are keen to cash in. Arsenal are among those who could offer Rodrygo an escape route if Real do decide to move him on. However, the player himself has no interest in pursuing a move elsewhere - something he told the club himself when he was asked about his future by the club. Marca have the details and they say Rodrygo is 'determined' to continue playing for Real Madrid despite transfer speculation linking him with a move elsewhere. There is, however, a twist; Los Blancos are said to be 'worried' about a drop off in Rodrygo's performance levels since February and would like to see some evidence that the former Santos man can play an influential role under Alonso, the club's new head coach, sooner rather than later. That means the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States will be crucial for Rodrygo, who could yet be sold if he fails to 'convince' the powerbrokers at Real Madrid that he is back to his best. Despite links with a move elsewhere, it's said there have been offers for Rodrygo to date. Arsenal are known to be interested in the versatile forward as they seek more firepower for another assault on the Premier League title. As well as adding a top No.9 to Mikel Arteta 's squad, the Gunners want to sign a quality left-sided forward. Join the debate! Would Rodrygo be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know here Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams is said to be their target but putting together a package for Rodrygo would likely be cheaper than prising the Euro 2024 winner away from Spain. When he was asked about interest in Rodrygo earlier this month, Arteta replied: 'If you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market, no? The teams that win always have the best players. 'I wouldn't like to name a player, but there is pride because we have brought the club into a position that next season people are saying: 'You have to win a major trophy.' And that means that everybody believes, and that we are an elite team in this country and in Europe. The biggest statement is that Arsenal is there. 'What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower. Understanding that the context can change tomorrow, we cannot rely just on the numbers that we had before. We have to add goals, creativity, and we have to add numbers, and that will be in different positions.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Kevin De Bruyne ‘to join Napoli within days with Serie A winners to snap up Man City legend in stunning free transfer'
Napoli are already celebrating one major decision after landing title BRUTIFUL GAME Kevin De Bruyne 'to join Napoli within days with Serie A winners to snap up Man City legend in stunning free transfer' KEVIN DE BRUYNE is reportedly on the brink of joining Italian champions Napoli. The Belgian midfielder is a free agent after his Manchester City contract came to an end. 1 Kevin De Bruyne is on the verge of a free transfer to Napoli Credit: Getty De Bruyne bid farewell to fans after a decade of silverware at the Etihad. But reports claims he has already found a new club just days after leaving the Premier League. According to Di Marzio, De Bruyne has struck a deal to join newly-crowned Serie A kings Napoli. Antonio Conte's men pipped Champions League finalists Inter Milan to Italian football's greatest prize by a single point. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL NO WORRIES Man Utd identify £70m ex-Prem star as Bruno replacement if captain leaves And to celebrate, Napoli are now looking to quickly wrap up a move for De Bruyne on Sunday. Negotiations are said to be a formality, with paperwork expected to be finalised tomorrow. De Bruyne will then undergo a medical before penning a contract, with an official announcement to follow afterwards. And the transfer will see him link up with striker Romelu Lukaku, with the pair already enjoying a fine partnership together for Belgium. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ruben Amorim praised by Man United star Matthijs de Ligt for speaking 'the truth' during dismal first season
Ruben Amorim lost more than half of his Premier League matches during a tough first season as Manchester United manager — but he has at least won the approval of defender Matthijs de Ligt thanks to his straight-talking approach. Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat in November. He then oversaw seven wins, six draws and 14 defeats in 27 league games, resulting in United finishing 15th in the table. He fared much better in the Europa League, where he guided United to the final — only to see them lose to Tottenham in a low-quality affair in Bilbao. Amorim has openly admitted that performances, as well as results, have not been good enough this season. In January, following a 3-1 home defeat by Brighton, he claimed his team was 'probably the worst in Manchester United history'. Speaking about the recent post-season tour of Asia, during which United lost 1-0 to an ASEAN All-Stars XI, Amorim then accused his players of being 'chokers' and suggested that hearing the fans booing may do them good. His brutal honesty has raised eyebrows among pundits and fans, but it has struck a chord with De Ligt, who has featured in 42 games for United since joining from Bayern Munich last summer. 'I'm from Holland so I like it,' De Ligt said. 'I can understand the media are in shock because normally this doesn't happen. But I think you can also be really happy that finally someone speaks out, says what he thinks and speaks the truth.' 'I really appreciate him in our conversations personally. It gives me a feeling I can trust him and he can trust me.' United's 15th-place finish marks their lowest since 1973–74, and defeat in the Europa League final means they'll be absent from Europe altogether next season. Despite that, De Ligt believes Amorim is laying the groundwork for long-term success. 'I've experienced many managers and he's one of the most easy to talk to as a player,' he added. 'He's really into details. Before signing new players, first he's looking at the culture, what needs to change and what can be improved to become a better football club. From next season we will see more of that. 'I think he wants to build a team of players who are together, fighting for each other and making the most out of what they have. Maybe before, you had the best players, but you're not a team.'
