Ahead of Premier League Darts 2026, we asked Sky Sports’ experts for their big predictions for the tournament.
emma payton prophecy
Who will get the best start in PL?
Luke Littler – But doesn’t that state the obvious? I don’t think the world champion will have too many problems early on and he’ll want to make some kind of statement.
Littler aside, I think Gerwyn Price is looking to make something of his strong form this year. A good start in the Premier League will help!
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Luke Littler looks back at how he won his second consecutive World Darts Championship title
Who will make a splash in the final stages of Final Night?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Johnny Clayton added to the mix. The former Premier League champion is keen to get back into the team.
He has an opportunity now and I’m sure he will cherish it.
Who will win PL Darts 2026?
It’s very difficult to bet on Luke Littler. He had been dominant all season, but I think he suffered a bruise from losing to Luke Humphries in last year’s final.
He won’t want to go home without a trophy this time.
Wayne Mardle’s Prophecies
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Luke Humphries looks back at how he won the 2025 Premier League title
Who will get the best start in PL?
Look, you have to feel like Luke Littler is going to win most weeks, even if it’s not boring and predictable.
I feel that he and Luke Humphries are not head and shoulders above Jan van Veen, who is the third best player in the world, but apparently they are.
So I’m going to stick with Luke and Luke. However, I feel that they are the ones who should be defeated. In the end, I think one of them will continue to win and win the championship. It’s going to be tough doing business with them week in and week out.
Who will make it to the finals in the final stages?
I don’t think Josh Locke played particularly well in the Masters quarter-finals, but I really think the Premier League could be made for him.
I think it should be busy, three games a night, week in and week out. Even if you’re off, you still have to be good enough, and I think he is. I think he could be that person.
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Check out some of Josh Lock’s best ahead of his Premier League debut
Who will be that player who lifts the trophy?
Littler will be my favorite.
Right now, right before the semi-finals of the World Masters, I really like the way Luke Humphries is playing. I love it. He looks like a million bucks and says he’s actually excited.
I’m going to win Luke Humphries at the end of the Premier League.
Mark Webster’s predictions
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Check out some of Jan van Veen’s best checkouts ahead of his Premier League debut.
Who will get the best start in PL?
It’s easy to say one of Luke’s, but I think Jan Van Veen is going to stick really well.
I spoke to him last week and asked him if he was nervous about this year, and he said he wasn’t, that he was excited and looking forward to it.
When it’s new and exciting, just go there and enjoy it. There are a lot of scars among these players in the Premier League and they will think about that.
So I think it’s going to be a bright start for Gian and Josh Locke and it’s going to be something to look forward to.
It’s going to be a really tough Premier League.
Who will make a splash in the final stages of Final Night?
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Love The Darts says Chris Murphy doesn’t know what to expect from Michael van Gerwen in this year’s Premier League
I think the usual suspects will be there, and you have to hope Josh will be well equipped.
Johnny Clayton, because of his experience, usually finds a way to get into the playoffs, so he’s going to be there or so.
I’ll be on the sidelines, and I don’t think anyone will drift off like Peter Wright did in the past, or like Stephen Bunting did last year when he caught a cold.
I think they’re all going to do their part and potentially get a few legs, a few points here and there.
It’s going to be a really exciting Premier League, but Jonny will use his experience to ensure we never miss out on a place in the play-offs.
Who will win PL Darts 2026?
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Wayne Mardle reveals he believes he is lucky to be included in the Premier League Darts 2026 line-up and unlucky to miss out
It’s easy to say Luke Littler, of course, but remember that week 16 won’t have much of an impact on week 17, aside from finishing in the top four. It looks like there will be a different tournament on the 17th.
I think he’s hungry to get it back, so I’m going to watch him win it on the sidelines, but I don’t think he’s going to have it all his way in 17 weeks.
Littler is the man to beat, but it’s a long time coming, right? Things could change, but I can’t see him ever winning that title again.
John Peart’s Prophecies
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Luke Littler defeats Luke Humphries in a deciding set to win his first WinMaw World Masters title
Who will get the best start in PL?
I have high hopes for Luke Littler to make an impact early in this year’s tournament, take the lead after Week 4, and pull away from there despite the top names lining up in the early first round.
Who will make a splash in the final stages of Final Night?
I look at Johnny Clayton as a guy who might not start out well, but will put in the effort and skyrocket in the last few weeks to earn himself a spot on finals night.
Perhaps even in dramatic fashion, like he did against Dimitri van den Bergh in 2021 before winning his debut.
Who will win PL Darts 2026?
We expect Luke Littler to finish at the top with an even bigger point difference than the 11 points he had over Luke Humphries last year and regain the title.
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Wayne Mardle provided another angle on Luke Humphries’ nine-darter at the World Masters, which he watched with Luke Littler
polly james prophecy
Who will get the best start in PL?
Littler will want to flex his muscles and put on a show as a double world champion. He wants to get maximum points early so as not to chase.
Who will make a splash in the final stages of Final Night?
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Gerwyn Price makes bold predictions for the 2026 Premier League
Even if Gaethje doesn’t make the top four, I have a feeling he’ll fight to the end to secure his spot. He is the type of player who exhibits a stubborn, steely spirit who refuses to give up, no matter how ugly the situation.
Who will win PL Darts 2026?
Littler. Too many gears and levels. If he gets the chance on finals night this year, he won’t pass it up.
stuart pike’s prophecy
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Luke Littler came agonizingly close to nine darts during his dramatic opening round victory over Mike Decker at the Winmaw World Masters.
Who will get the best start in PL?
Let’s go! Four glorious months of darts all the way to the O2 at the end of May
As always, there’s a lot of controversy over certain picks. Everyone will have an opinion, but right now it’s all about work.
It is very difficult to surpass Luke Littler at the moment and he has his sights set on regaining the title after losing to his great opponent Luke Humphries in the 2025 Finals.
Their latest masterpiece at the Masters will be the first of many this year.
Littler also has another goal: a nine-darter in the PL and a record average. He’s chasing 125 and I wouldn’t be surprised if he hits that goal.
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Ross Smith reacts to opponent Luke Littler hitting 11 more darters to take a three-set lead at Winmaw World Masters
Who will make a splash in the final stages of Final Night?
Littler and Humphries will be in the semi-finals and for me Gerwyn Price will qualify and the very talented Jan van Veen will be making his debut.
This tournament should be the perfect tournament for him to shine.
Who will win PL Darts 2026?
Who is the winner? Yes, it’s boring, but I can’t see beyond Littler.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the match every Thursday on Sky Sports from February to May. Stream darts and other top sports now.
