Latest news with #BelgianOpen
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
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."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Premier League Darts set to come to new country next year as Barry Hearn makes huge announcement
It comes after the new champion was crowned THROWING IT OUT THERE THROWING IT OUT THERE Premier League Darts set to come to new country next year as Barry Hearn makes huge announcement 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. Advertisement 2 Barry Hearn revealed the newest country set to host Premier League Darts action Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 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. Advertisement READ MORE IN darts LUK OUT Luke Littler narrowly avoids being hit by object thrown onto O2 stage 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. Humphries has completed a special hat-trick of top majors in the sport – which includes the World Darts Championship and World Matchplay. Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement "He wasn't at his best. It was hard. We struggled to cope with the conditions.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Premier League Darts set to come to new country next year as Barry Hearn makes huge announcement
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. Advertisement 2 Barry Hearn revealed the newest country set to host Premier League Darts action Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 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. Advertisement READ MORE IN darts 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 Humphries has completed a special hat-trick of top majors in the sport – which includes the World Darts Championship and World Matchplay. Advertisement Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement "He wasn't at his best. It was hard. We struggled to cope with the conditions.' 2 Luke Humphries after beating Luke Littler Credit: PA
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Luke Littler enjoying his darts as he takes his game to another level
World champion Luke Littler believes he is playing the best darts of his fledgling career. The 18-year-old has followed up his record-breaking World Championship success at Alexandra Palace with victory at the UK Open, two weekly Premier League titles and the Belgian Open last week. He goes for more Premier League glory in Nottingham on Thursday night, fresh from hitting a nine-dart finish and averaging an incredible 122 during a win in Tuesday's Players Championship event in Leicester. 'I've always been confident in my own ability,' he said. 'The way my darts are going at the minute, it's probably the best I've ever played on a consistent basis. 'That is why I can find those extra gears and dig myself out of trouble when I need to. 'I said at the start of the year if I don't win anything all year, I'm still a world champion, and I'm just enjoying my darts at the minute.' Littler will be tested against his big rival Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals. The pair have met 16 times, with Littler winning 9 of them, including last year's Premier League final. Humphries' results have been mixed so far this year, but he hit a nine-darter on the way to the final of Players Championship 6 on Wednesday. He is also performing well in the Premier League, sitting top of the table after the opening five nights. 'I'm in a good position, but I'm still going to have to work hard to pick up these wins,' the world number one said. 'I've got Luke this week, and then Michael (van Gerwen) in the quarter-finals next week. 'It's going to be tough, but I know I've got the credentials to beat them both, and hopefully I can get some more points this week and stay top of the table.' Humphries lost to Gian van Veen in Leicester on Wednesday, with the Dutchman claiming his first PDC ranking title after losing in Tuesday's final.
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Littler through as four big names fall at Belgian Open
Luke Littler began his defence of the Belgian Open title with a second-round win - but four Premier League players were dumped out on world champion, who won last year's Belgian title while making his European Tour debut in Wieze, was among the 16 seeds that joined the draw in the second although the 18-year-old claimed a 6-3 win over Ryan Searle, four of the top 10 seeds fell at their first hurdle, including world number one Luke and Rob Cross both claimed a nine-dart finish during Thursday's Premier League action, while Nathan Aspinall was beaten by Littler in the they all lost on Saturday, while three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen suffered the biggest shock, with the world number three humbled 6-4 by unranked Croatian qualifier Boris Krcmar, the 2024 world champion, averaged just 92.61 in Wieze as he was upset 6-4 by local favourite Mike de Decker (100.45).Ross Smith (112.60) proved too strong for world number four Cross (98.80) as he beat last year's runner-up 6-2, while Aspinall was dealt a narrow 6-5 loss to Ritchie tournament concludes on Sunday, with Littler having a third-round game against fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse, who beat Gary Anderson beating Jermaine Wattimena 6-3, fifth seed Stephen Bunting is one of just three seeds left in the top half of the draw and faces Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney next.
