logo
Premier League Darts set to come to new country next year as Barry Hearn makes huge announcement

Premier League Darts set to come to new country next year as Barry Hearn makes huge announcement

The Sun4 days ago

BARRY HEARN revealed the newest country set to host Premier League Darts action next year.
The tournament has taken to Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany this season.
2
But now, PDC boss Hearn confirmed Antwerp, Belgium will be the latest addition to the fixture list next season.
Former Winmau World Masters champion and current VTM co-commentator Erik Clarys 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."
The Belgian Open in Wieze has become a fixture on the European Tour and the Flanders Darts Trophy was added to the calendar in 2024.
Both events have drawn strong crowds and players have regularly praised the warm reception in Belgium.
There have been sell-out crowds in Belgium and the demand for a Premier League night has grown.
Luke Humphries was crowned this year's Premier League champion after victory over good friend Luke Littler.
He said: 'That one means the world to me. That's what I was missing. I have done it now.
'If I don't win another title, I'm happy because I've done the three hardest ones to do.
Luke Littler narrowly avoids being hit by object thrown onto O2 stage during Premier League Darts finals
'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.
'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.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George
I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George

BOBBY GEORGE says the ­sudden death of long-time drinking and darts pal Eric Bristow seven years ago 'hit me hard'. And his new book details the duo's many escapades. 4 4 4 They first met in the 1970s and became oche rivals — they contested the 1980 World Darts Championship final — but also 'very good friends'. According to George, the five-time world champion would be 'good as gold until about 10 or 10.30pm — then he'd become a complete a***hole once he had drunk too much'. The King of Bling, claimed Hackney-born Bristow would be 'rude, arrogant, leery and happy to pick a fight with anyone . . . I didn't like him when he was like that, no one did'. Yet the Crafty Cockney never wavered in his strong loyalty towards George, 11 years the senior man, whom he called Bo. Bristow — one of the sport's greatest throwers — died on April 5, 2018 from a heart attack before a ­Premier League event in Liverpool. He was 60. Writing in Still Here! The King of Bling, George, 79, said: 'Eric Bristow's death hit me hard. 'He was only 60 for f***'s sake. That's no age these days, is it? I had known him since he was a ­teenager — and he never changed. 'He could be a pain in the a*** and we had some right ding-dongs over the years. List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler 'But for most of the time, he was my mate and we had some great times together.' On the night Bristow died, George was on Merseyside, working at Shooters Bar and Diner. The pair had 'a little catch-up and I got him a Guinness'. That night, George stayed in a Stoke pub run by Barry Birch, Bristow's former driver. And he was even looking at 'Eric's flat' less than 200 yards away when he learned the tragic news. George said: 'I couldn't believe the suddenness of his passing. 'Nor could I take in the fact that I could see his flat — the same flat he'd have left just a few hours ­earlier — as I was trying to take in the tragic news. 'What were the odds of it? Me being with him, saying goodbye, going to Stoke and looking out of a window at his flat whilst stood alongside his former driver? 'We both needed a stiff drink that night. They reckon Eric's heart must have stopped before he hit the ground as there was no blood. 'In his diary, apparently, he'd written he had got bad chest pains. "Bloody hell, if that was the case, why didn't he go to the doctors or hospital and get it sorted? 'Knowing Eric, he probably thought, 'I'll put loads of Guinness down my neck, that'll get rid of the pain'. 'Anyone who knew him was aware that he didn't exactly lead a healthy lifestyle. I had known him since he was a ­teenager — and he never changed." Bobby George on Eric Bristow 'For as long as I'd known him, he was a heavy smoker, always rolling his own. 'And he would think nothing of getting through 15 or 16 pints of Guinness in a day, rounding it all off with a curry. Nobody's body can handle that day in, day out. 'Always on the go, working and travelling, meant he was always pushing it. "Although it wasn't work to him, just a chance to get on the p*** every day. 'I like a drink and a smoke but there are extremes and Eric pushed them to the limit. 'I'd say, 'You smoke and you drink too much'. He said, 'I know all about that, Bob. But put it this way, no one is going to be pushing me around in a wheelchair. When I go, I'll go like that. Bang'. And he f***ing did as well, bang.' George first encountered the 'mouthy so-and-so' while playing in a BDO event at Margate in Kent. 4 He said: 'After that we became good mates and he would do ­anything for me, anything.' As they toured the country, they 'would share prize money', but there were times when George thought 'we're going to get our heads kicked in' due to Bristow's OTT antics. On a US tour in 1978, the first time George went on a plane, Bristow enraged locals by pretending 'to wipe his a***' with the American Stars and Stripes flag 'before chucking it on the floor'. George said: 'The atmosphere had turned really toxic and I was ­worried that someone was going to do something really stupid, like pull a gun out on him. ''Watch yourself, Eric,' I whispered in his ear. 'These guys aren't messing about and they have guns over here!' 'I'd like to say that was an ­isolated incident but it wasn't. 'That's how he was, always getting into trouble. But somehow always managing to get himself out of it.'

Luke Littler sends clear message to Man Utd over Bruno Fernandes sale as he reveals who he'd swap star for
Luke Littler sends clear message to Man Utd over Bruno Fernandes sale as he reveals who he'd swap star for

The Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Sun

Luke Littler sends clear message to Man Utd over Bruno Fernandes sale as he reveals who he'd swap star for

LUKE LITTLER has sent a clear message to "world-class" Bruno Fernandes following his proposed Manchester United exit. The 17-year-old darts sensation was asked to pick between Fernandes and 11 global superstars. The world darts champion was asked to say "Yes" or "No" to any hypothetical swap deals involving the Portugal ace and a host of Champions League stars. But Littler abruptly said "No" to EVERY SINGLE big name, effectively ranking Fernandes above them all. The star-studded list began with Martin Odegaard, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Kevin de Bruyne and Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella. Littler even preferred Fernandes to Liverpool target Florian Wirtz, who Bayer Leverkusen value at £126million. Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala and RB Leipzing winger Xavi Simons were also snubbed by Littler. As were Declan Rice, Rodri, and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham - who are all younger than Fernandes and valued at more than £100million. Littler, who lost the Premier League darts final to Luke Humphries last week, shook his head to every mention while chatting to talkSPORT. After rattling off the list, the presenter quizzed: "Oh come on, he's not that good!" To which Littler hit back with a grin: "Oh, he's world-class mate." Fans savagely mocked the teenage sensation, who is a life-long Man Utd fan, for sticking to his guns. One said: "Completely clueless 😂." While another added: "Stick to darts Luke!" A third chimed in: "It's a good thing you're good at darts." But others replied: "Littler knows ball." United are waiting to hear from Fernandes on whether he wants to stay at the club, amid interest from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. The Saudi club are willing to make Fernandes one of the best-paid players in the world and pay £100m to sign him. No official offer has been made for the 30-year-old yet.

Harry Wilson eyes more history against Belgium 12 years on from Wales debut
Harry Wilson eyes more history against Belgium 12 years on from Wales debut

Powys County Times

time6 hours ago

  • Powys County Times

Harry Wilson eyes more history against Belgium 12 years on from Wales debut

Harry Wilson has targeted another slice of history against Belgium 12 years on from becoming Wales' youngest-ever player in Brussels. Wales face a World Cup qualifying double-header this week with Friday's home game against Liechtenstein preceding their daunting Group J trip to Belgium three days later. The Dragons have not won in eight previous visits to Belgium – losing five and drawing three – in a fixture stretching all the way back to 1949. 'The Liechtenstein game is first and international football has shown many times over the years that there are no easy games,' said Wilson, who finished the season in fine form at Fulham after recovering from a fractured foot and a 10-week lay-off. 'Although on paper people will think we should win that game comfortably, we still have to go out there and perform. 'For us to look ahead to Belgium before getting that game done would be silly, but going into this camp six points is definitely the aim.' Wilson beat Gareth Bale's record to become Wales' youngest-ever player at the age of 16 years and 207 days against Belgium in October 2013. 'It was by far the biggest stadium I'd ever played in,' said Wilson, who will win his 61st cap against Liechtenstein in Cardiff. 'That struck me immediately walking out before the game.' '(Eden) Hazard and (Kevin) De Bruyne were playing for them and for a young lad to be sitting there thinking 'I could be sharing the pitch with them' was amazing. 'When (Wales manager Chris) Coleman turned round and gave me the nod that I was going on it was a mixture of nerves and excitement. 'I can't really remember too much about being on the pitch, but I came on at 1-0 down and we drew 1-1, so I'll take a little bit of credit for that.' Wales famously beat Belgium 3-1 in the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 and the two countries have been regular opponents over the last decade or so. So much so that De Bruyne once labelled playing Wales 'boring', claiming: 'I think half of my international career has been against Wales.' Recent contests have been close affairs with both nations recording two wins each and sharing four draws since Wilson's debut game. Croeso nol, boios 😎 — Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) June 1, 2025 'We have shown over the years that we are a good team,' said Wilson, who scored against Belgium during a World Cup qualifier in 2021. 'But to have a record as good as that against a nation who have had a golden era over the last 10 to 15 years is an amazing feat.' Wales resume their World Cup qualifying campaign having picked up four points in March from a 3-1 home victory over Kazakhstan and a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store