The UK Open Pool Championship will feature 256 competitors from over 50 countries, with a prize fund of £167,500. Price aims to leverage his experience from last year’s Mosconi Cup as he enters this tournament.

Before this change, Price faced intense criticism and was often seen as the pantomime villain of darts. Now, he is enjoying an unexpected wave of positive support from fans. “I can’t believe the support I’m getting every week,” Price stated.

As of midday, Price has secured 21 points in the Premier League Darts standings, keeping him in contention for a play-off spot. He recently won two points after defeating Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals.

Upcoming Matches:

Price’s next match is against Jonny Clayton on May 7. and The Premier League Darts Play-Offs are scheduled for May 28.

Price was the runner-up in the 2023 Premier League and is determined to compete fiercely. “I’m in it to win it. I wouldn’t turn up if I didn’t think I could win. I’m half decent!” he added.

This transformation illustrates not only Price’s evolving relationship with fans but also highlights his competitive spirit as he juggles multiple tournaments. The total prize pot for the 2026 Premier League Darts is £1.25 million, with the winner receiving £350,000.

Where once he embraced the role of villain, he now appears to be building a very different connection with the crowd. The upcoming matches will be crucial for both his standing and reputation.

The post Gerwyn Price’s Remarkable Shift in Fan Support appeared first on UKnews.

“I still think Josh Rock will come good. He is only halfway through the Premier League now,” said Daryl Gurney, reflecting on Rock’s recent performance.

Josh Rock ended a run of seven straight defeats by beating Jonny Clayton 6-3 in the quarter-finals on Night Eight in Berlin. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Rock, who had previously suffered a crushing 0-6 loss to Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals on Night Seven in Dublin.

Competing in the 2026 Premier League Darts, Rock was one of the wildcard picks in the eight-player line-up. The pressure was mounting as he faced Clayton, but his recent win has reignited hopes for his campaign.

Rock’s victory not only boosts his confidence but also positions him favorably as he prepares to face Clayton again on Night Nine in Manchester. The Premier League champion stands to earn a £350,000 first prize, making every match critical.

The matches take place every Thursday until Finals Night on May 28, where the top four players will advance to the Play-Offs. Each match during the league season is best-of-11 legs, adding to the intensity of the competition.

Gurney praised Rock’s mental strength, stating, “I think for me Josh is so mentally strong. He has come such a short way in such a short space of time.” Gurney has been supportive, texting Rock good luck each week, though he refrains from giving advice, recognizing Rock’s talent.

As the competition progresses, anticipation builds for the upcoming matches, especially with the Finals Night approaching on May 28. Rock’s recent win has set the stage for a potential comeback in the league.

With the pressure on, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Rock will perform in the coming weeks. His journey in the Premier League continues to unfold, and the stakes are higher than ever.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any changes in strategy Rock may adopt following his recent victory, but his supporters remain hopeful for a strong finish to the season.

The post Josh Rock Ends Losing Streak with Victory Over Jonny Clayton appeared first on UKnews.

Luke Littler, a promising 19-year-old darts player from Warrington and a Manchester United fan, faced a dramatic quarter-final match in the Premier League Darts against Gian van Veen. The match, part of the 2026 season, was highly anticipated as Littler aimed for his third consecutive win in the league. However, the match took a contentious turn, ending in a narrow 6-5 defeat for Littler.

During the match, Van Veen initially struggled, having not won since week four of the competition. He managed to take a 4-1 lead against Littler, but the young player fought back, showcasing his resilience. The tension escalated when Littler made a crying gesture towards the crowd after Van Veen missed a crucial dart, leading to accusations from Van Veen that Littler was ‘out of order’.

After the match, Van Veen expressed his disappointment with Littler’s behavior, stating, “I don’t think that’s normal,” and added, “He’s a fantastic darts player, but today he showed he’s not a good loser.” This incident has sparked discussions about sportsmanship in competitive darts, particularly among younger players.

Despite the defeat, Littler took to social media to share a list of his TV titles, indicating his determination to remain positive. He concluded his remarks with a heartfelt message, saying, “Goodnight, god bless, thank you Manchester.” His ability to maintain a public persona amidst the controversy reflects his maturity as a competitor.

Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price, who won the night in Manchester by defeating Van Veen 6-2 in the final, commented on the incident, saying, “That’s part and parcel of darts.” Price’s victory came with an impressive average of 105.84, further highlighting the competitive nature of the event.

Littler’s defeat not only ended his hopes for a third straight Premier League win but also raised questions about his mental approach to high-pressure situations. He has previously acknowledged struggles with his mentality during matches, which may have contributed to the emotional display witnessed during the match against Van Veen.

Looking ahead, the next Premier League Night is scheduled for April 9, 2026, in Brighton. Observers will be keen to see how Littler responds to this setback and whether he can refine his approach to maintain his status as a rising star in the darts world. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential repercussions from the incident, but the darts community is watching closely.

The post Luke Littler Faces Controversial Exit in Premier League Darts appeared first on UKnews.

The question on everyone’s mind is: who will dominate the Premier League Darts 2026? The answer came swiftly as Gerwyn Price clinched victory at Night Nine, held on April 2, 2026, at the AO Arena in Manchester, defeating Gian van Veen with a decisive score of 6-2.

This event showcased a thrilling lineup, featuring top players including Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, Luke Humphries, and the world No 1, Luke Littler. The quarter-finals saw intense matches, with Price overcoming Humphries 6-2, while Gian van Veen edged past Littler with a close 6-5 finish. The stakes were high, as each night winner earns £10,000 and five points towards the overall standings.

The Premier League Darts 2026 has been a showcase of talent and competition, with the top four players at the end of Night 16 set to advance to the Play-Offs and Finals Night. This year, the Finals Night is scheduled for May 28, 2026, at The O2 in London, where the champion will take home a staggering £350,000 prize.

With each match played in a best-of-11 legs format, the intensity of the competition is palpable. The quarter-finals of Night Nine featured a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, including Jonny Clayton and Josh Rock, who faced off in another gripping match that ended with a score of 4-6.

As the tournament progresses, the pressure mounts for players to secure their spots in the playoffs. The performances in Manchester have set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the Premier League Darts season, with fans eagerly anticipating who will rise to the top.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to the tournament format or player lineups as the season unfolds. However, the excitement surrounding the Premier League Darts continues to grow, with each night bringing new challenges and opportunities for the players.

As we look ahead, the focus will be on the upcoming matches and how the standings will shift as players vie for the coveted playoff spots. The drama of the Premier League Darts is far from over, and fans can expect more electrifying performances in the weeks to come.

The post Premier League Darts Live: Gerwyn Price Triumphs in Manchester appeared first on UKnews.

“I have no idea how I have done that,” exclaimed Luke Littler after his stunning comeback victory against Gerwyn Price in the final of Night Seven of the Premier League Darts.

Littler, the world No 1, showcased his resilience by rallying from a staggering 5-0 deficit to win six legs in a row, ultimately sealing the match 6-5. This remarkable performance not only secured him the night’s title but also earned him £10,000 and five crucial points in the league table.

Prior to the final, Littler faced Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals, narrowly defeating him 6-5. Van Gerwen, who was initially set to compete against Gian van Veen, received a bye due to van Veen’s withdrawal caused by kidney stones.

In the quarter-finals, Gerwyn Price demonstrated his prowess by whitewashing Josh Rock 6-0, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash with Littler. However, Price’s momentum was halted as Littler turned the tables in the final.

Price, reflecting on the match, stated, “This is darts, things happen.” His earlier performance against Rock showcased his skill, but it was not enough to withstand Littler’s comeback.

Luke Humphries, the defending champion, faced Price in the semi-finals but fell short, losing 6-1. This result highlights the competitive nature of the Premier League Darts, where every match can pivot dramatically.

After Night Seven, Littler remains three points behind Jonny Clayton in the league standings, with only nine nights left in the season. The stakes are high as players vie for the coveted title and the £350,000 prize for the Premier League champion.

With 16 nights scheduled for this season, the excitement continues to build as players prepare for the next round of matches. Fans eagerly await to see if Littler can maintain his momentum and challenge for the top spot.

As the tournament progresses, the drama of the Premier League Darts is far from over, with each player aiming for glory in this high-stakes environment.

The post Premier League Darts Results: Luke Littler Stuns Gerwyn Price appeared first on UKnews.

In a dramatic twist at the Premier League Darts in Dublin, Gian van Veen has withdrawn from Night Seven due to kidney stones, allowing Michael van Gerwen to advance directly to the semi-finals. The event, held at the 3Arena, is set to feature crucial quarter-finals starting at 19:00 local time.

Van Veen was scheduled to face Van Gerwen in a highly anticipated match, but his hospitalization has altered the landscape of the competition. “Gian van Veen withdrew from Night Seven in Dublin, where he was scheduled to face Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals, after being hospitalised with kidney stones,” a spokesperson confirmed.

Night Seven will also see Stephen Bunting take on Luke Littler, while Josh Rock faces Gerwyn Price, and Jonny Clayton competes against Luke Humphries. Each match is played as best-of-11 legs, with the winner earning £10,000 and five points towards the overall standings.

Jonny Clayton, who won Night Six in Nottingham against Luke Humphries, is among the favorites as the tournament progresses. The competition spans 17 weeks, with a total of 16 nights before the Play-Offs, culminating in the Finals Night scheduled for May 28, 2026.

After six weeks of play, Luke Humphries leads with five match wins, while Josh Rock has yet to secure a victory. The stakes are high as players vie for a chance to be among the top four who will advance to the Play-Offs.

As the evening unfolds, the first quarter-final will kick off with an all-Dutch affair between Van Gerwen and the now-absent Van Veen. Each night of the competition will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, ensuring fans do not miss a moment of the action.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the impact of Van Veen’s withdrawal on the overall standings, but it certainly adds an unexpected layer of tension to the tournament. The excitement continues to build as players prepare for their matches in Dublin.

The post Premier League Darts Dublin: Gian van Veen Withdraws, Michael van Gerwen Advances appeared first on UKnews.