Premier League Darts 2026: Pundit predictions for best starters, dark horses, and winners as Luke Humphries looks to defend his crown

Ahead of the Premier League Darts 2026, we asked Sky Sports‘ pundits for their big predictions for the tournament…

Emma Paton’s predictions

Who will get off to the best start in the PL?

Luke Littler – but isn’t that stating the obvious!? I don’t think the world champion will have too many problems early on and I think he’ll want to make a statement.

Aside from Littler, I think Gerwyn Price will be wanting to make his good form count for something this year. A good start in the Premier League will help!

Who will make a late surge to Finals Night?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Jonny Clayton is well in the mix. A former Premier League champion who’s been desperate to get himself back in the fold.

He has his opportunity now and I’m sure he’ll want to make it count.

Who will win the PL darts 2026?

It’s so hard to bet against Luke Littler. I think he was bruised after losing to Luke Humphries in last year’s final, having been so dominant throughout the campaign.

He won’t want to leave without the trophy this time.

Wayne Mardle’s predictions

Who will get off to the best start in the PL?

Look, without being boring and predictable, you’ve got to feel that Luke Littler is going to be the one to beat most weeks.

He and Luke Humphries, I feel, are just, not head and shoulders above Gian van Veen, who’s the third-best player in the world, but they seem to be.

So I’m going to stick with Luke and Luke. I just feel that they are the people to beat. Eventually, I think one of them will go on and win it anyway. To do business with them, week in, week out, is going to be tough.

The one who could make a late surge to Finals Night?

I think Josh Rock didn’t play particularly well in the Masters quarter-finals, but I think the Premier League could be made for him, I really do.

I think week in, week out, three games a night, you’ve got to be busy. If you’re off, you’ve still got to be good enough, and I think he is. I think he could be the one.

Who will be that player that lifts the trophy?

Littler is going to be the red-hot favourite.

Talking now right before the semi-finals of the World Masters, I’m loving how Luke Humphries is playing. I’m loving it. He looks a million dollars and he’s actually talking about being excited.

I’m going to go for Luke Humphries to win this at the end of the Premier League.

Mark Webster’s predictions

Who will get off to the best start in the PL?

It is easy to say one of the Lukes but I’m going to go for Gian van Veen to settle in really well.

I spoke to him last week and I said, are there nerves about this year, and he said there is not, he is excited and is looking forward to it.

When it is new and it is exciting, you go there and you just enjoy it. There is s a lot of scar tissue for some of these players in the Premier League and they will think about that.

So for Gian and Josh Rock, I think they will make bright starts and it is going to be exciting.

It is going to be a really tough Premier League.

Who will make a late surge to Finals Night?

I think the usual suspects will be up there, and you have got to expect Josh to equip himself well.

I think Jonny Clayton, just because of his experience, he normally finds a way to make the playoffs, so he will be there or thereabouts.

I will stand by, whoever comes bottom of it, I don’t think anyone’s going to get cut adrift like Peter Wright has in the past or like when Stephen Bunting got caught cold last year.

I think they are all going to play their part and they could come down to a few legs here and there, a few points.

It is going to be a really exciting Premier League but Jonny, with his experience, will never be out of a shot of the playoffs.

Who will win the PL darts 2026?

It is easy to say Luke Littler, as rightly we should, but don’t forget that those 16 weeks – apart from getting into the top four – they don’t have a massive bearing on the 17th week. The 17th is like a separate tournament.

I think he will be hungry to get it back, so I am going to stand by that he will win it, but I don’t think he will have it all his own way during the 17 weeks.

Littler is the man to beat but there is a long time, isn’t there? Things can change, but I can’t see beyond him winning that title again.

John Part’s predictions

Who will get off to the best start in the PL?

I fully expect that Luke Littler, despite having the top other names lined up against him first round in the early weeks, to flourish in the early going of this years competition and to be top of the table after week four and pulling away from there.

Who will make a late surge to Finals Night?

I see Jonny Clayton as a player who may not get out of the gate well, but who will grind away and surge in the final weeks to secure a spot in finals night.

Perhaps even in dramatic fashion, as he did against Dimitri Van Den Bergh in 2021 before going on to win it as a debutant.

Who will win the PL darts 2026?

I see Luke Littler finishing top of the table with an even bigger point margin between him and second than the 11 he outdistanced Luke Humphries by last year, and I see him regaining the title.

Polly James’ predictions

Who will get off to the best start in the PL?

I think Littler will want to flex his muscles and will want to put on a show as double world champion. He’ll want to get maximum points early doors so he isn’t chasing.

Who will make a late surge to Finals Night?

If Gezzy isn’t in the top four, I have a feeling he will fight until the very end to try and book his place. He is the type of player to turn on a stubborn, steel-spined mindset where you refuse to quit, no matter how ugly things get.

Who will win the PL darts 2026?

Littler. Too many gears and too many levels. He won’t let it slip this year if he gets the opportunity on finals night.

Stuart Pyke’s predictions

Who will get off to the best start in the PL?

Here we go! Four brilliant months of darts with all roads leading to the O2 at the end of May

As always, lots of controversy over certain picks. Everyone will have an opinion but now it’s down to business!

It really is difficult to see past Luke Littler at the moment and he has set his sights on reclaiming the title after losing the 2025 Final to his great adversary Luke Humphries.

Their latest epic at the Masters will be the first of many this year.

Littler has also set his sights on another PL nine-darter and a record average. He is chasing 125 and it wouldn’t surprise me if that goal was achieved!

Who will make a late surge to Finals Night?

Littler and Humphries will make the semi-finals and for me, Gerwyn Price gets a spot as does the hugely talented Gian van Veen on debut.

This tournament should be perfect for him to shine.

Who will win the PL darts 2026?

The winner? Yes it’s boring but can’t see past Littler

Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday from February until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.

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