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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
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
A Belgian prince's attempt to claim social security benefits on top of his six-figure royal allowance has been rejected by a court. Prince Laurent - the younger brother of King Philippe - received €388,000 (£295,850; $376,000) from state funds last year but said that his work entitles him and his family to social security. He had argued that he was partly self-employed because of the duties he carries out as a royal, as well as running an animal welfare charity for the past decade. Laurent, 61, said he was acting out of "principle" rather than for money. The court disagreed. "When a migrant comes here, he registers, he has a right to [social security]," he told Belgian broadcaster RTBF. "I may be a migrant too, but one whose family established the state in place." But on Monday a court in Brussels turned down Laurent's request on the grounds that the prince can be considered neither self-employed nor an employee. However, according to broadcaster VTM the judge acknowledged that the prince should actually be entitled to a pension - but said gaps in legislation made that impossible and called for the law to be amended. His lawyer, Olivier Rijckaert, told Belgian newspaper Le Soir that Laurent's request had not been based on a "whim" and insisted on its symbolism, saying that social security is "granted by Belgian law to all residents, from the most deprived to the richest". Mr Rijckaert also said that most of the prince's allowance is spent on his assistant's salary and various travel expenses. This means Laurent is left with about €5000 (£4300; $5500) a month but no social security benefits, such as the right to claim back some medical expenses. The prince – who has three adult children with British-born wife Claire Coombs – has also expressed his concerns over his family's wellbeing since the royal allowance will be cut when he dies. Laurent took legal action against the Belgian state after his application for social security was refused. A first hearing was held in November 2024. According to RTBF, the prince and his legal counsel have not yet decided whether to appeal the court's decision. Laurentm who is the 15th in the Belgian line of succession, is no stranger to controversy and is sometimes termed the prince maudit - the "cursed prince" - in Belgium. In 2018, the Belgian federal parliament voted to dock his monthly allowance for a year after he attended a Chinese embassy reception without government permission, in full naval uniform. He has also racked up several speeding fines and has been criticised for attending meetings in Libya when the late Muammar Gaddafi was still in power.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
A Belgian prince's attempt to claim social security benefits on top of his six-figure royal allowance has been rejected by a Laurent - the younger brother of King Philippe - received €388,000 (£295,850; $376,000) from state funds last year but said that his work entitles him and his family to social had argued that he was partly self-employed because of the duties he carries out as a royal, as well as running an animal welfare charity for the past 61, said he was acting out of "principle" rather than for money. The court disagreed. "When a migrant comes here, he registers, he has a right to [social security]," he told Belgian broadcaster RTBF. "I may be a migrant too, but one whose family established the state in place."But on Monday a court in Brussels turned down Laurent's request on the grounds that the prince can be considered neither self-employed nor an according to broadcaster VTM the judge acknowledged that the prince should actually be entitled to a pension - but said gaps in legislation made that impossible and called for the law to be lawyer, Olivier Rijckaert, told Belgian newspaper Le Soir that Laurent's request had not been based on a "whim" and insisted on its symbolism, saying that social security is "granted by Belgian law to all residents, from the most deprived to the richest".Mr Rijckaert also said that most of the prince's allowance is spent on his assistant's salary and various travel means Laurent is left with about €5000 (£4300; $5500) a month but no social security benefits, such as the right to claim back some medical expenses. The prince – who has three adult children with British-born wife Claire Coombs – has also expressed his concerns over his family's wellbeing since the royal allowance will be cut when he took legal action against the Belgian state after his application for social security was refused. A first hearing was held in November to RTBF, the prince and his legal counsel have not yet decided whether to appeal the court's who is the 15th in the Belgian line of succession, is no stranger to controversy and is sometimes termed the prince maudit - the "cursed prince" - in 2018, the Belgian federal parliament voted to dock his monthly allowance for a year after he attended a Chinese embassy reception without government permission, in full naval has also racked up several speeding fines and has been criticised for attending meetings in Libya when the late Muammar Gaddafi was still in power.
