Jonny Clayton, the reigning champion from 2021, along with Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price, have been announced as the four wildcard entries for the upcoming BetMGM Premier League season. They will join the top four automatic selections based on the order of merit, which includes double world champion Luke Littler, world No. 1 Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen.
Van Veen, who recently reached the world final but was defeated by Littler, as well as Rock, the World Cup winner from Northern Ireland, will both be making their debuts in the competition. Van Veen’s impressive performance at Alexandra Palace propelled him to World No. 3, surpassing van Gerwen to become the new top-ranked Dutch player. Van Gerwen, a seven-time Premier League champion, remains a formidable contender.
The Premier League season spans 17 weeks, featuring 16 weeks of league matches commencing in Newcastle on Thursday, February 5, culminating in the final at The O2 in London on May 28. Littler, fresh off his world championship victory, aims to reclaim the Premier League crown after facing off against Humphries in the last two finals.
Clayton, currently ranked world No. 5, secured the Premier League title in 2021 by defeating Jose de Sousa 11-5 in the final. Meanwhile, Rock led Northern Ireland to their first World Cup triumph in June and achieved notable success in various televised tournaments.
Bunting, ranked seventh in the world, had a successful season with six PDC titles, including victories in the World Series and European Tour events. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed excitement for the revamped lineup and the high level of competition expected, following the remarkable performances in the previous year.
The 2026 Premier League season promises to be memorable, building on the momentum from the historic World Championship. The tournament will feature 16 nights of action, with each league night including quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final played over the best of 11 legs. Points earned each night will determine the league standings, with the top four players advancing to Finals Night.