Jonny Clayton, the winner of the 2021 championship, along with Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price have been selected as the four wildcards for the upcoming season of the BetMGM Premier League. These four players will join the top four automatic picks, which include double world champion Luke Littler, who currently holds the world No. 1 spot, defending champion Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen.
Van Veen, who recently impressed but lost to Littler in the world final, and Rock, the World Cup winner from Northern Ireland, will both be making their debut appearances in the competition. Van Veen’s remarkable performance at Alexandra Palace has propelled him to the third spot in the world rankings, surpassing van Gerwen to become the new top-ranked Dutch player. Van Gerwen, a seven-time Premier League champion, will also be competing in the upcoming season.
The Premier League season will span 17 weeks, with 16 weeks dedicated to league matches starting in Newcastle on Thursday, February 5, and culminating in the final at The O2 in London on May 28. Littler, fresh off his world championship victory, will be aiming to reclaim his crown after facing off against Humphries in the last two finals.
Clayton, ranked fifth in the world, secured the Premier League title in 2021 by defeating Jose de Sousa 11-5 in the final. Rock played a pivotal role in Northern Ireland’s first World Cup victory and showcased strong performances in televised semi-finals at various darts tournaments. Bunting, ranked seventh in the world, had a successful campaign winning six PDC titles, including victories in World Series events and European Tour competitions.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed excitement about the fresh lineup for this year’s tournament, anticipating great entertainment for fans across the UK and Europe. The competition promises to be memorable, following high ticket sales and a historic World Championship. The league nights will feature quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final played over the best of 11 legs, with points awarded each night to determine the league table standings.
