Jonny Clayton, the reigning champion from 2021, along with Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price, have secured wildcard entries for the upcoming BetMGM Premier League season. These four players will join the top four automatic picks based on merit: current world No. 1 Luke Littler, defending champion Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen.
Van Veen, who recently rose to World No. 3 following an impressive performance at Alexandra Palace, will be making his Premier League debut alongside Northern Ireland’s Rock. The league season spans 17 weeks, with 16 weeks dedicated to league matches starting in Newcastle on February 5 and culminating in the final at The O2 in London on May 28.
After his recent victory at the Ally Pally, Littler aims to reclaim his crown in the upcoming season. The Premier League features a total prize pool of £350,000, with Clayton, ranked world No. 5, emerging as the 2021 champion by defeating Jose de Sousa in the final.
Rock, instrumental in Northern Ireland’s first-ever World Cup win, has also excelled in various televised tournaments. Meanwhile, Bunting, ranked world No. 7, enjoyed a successful campaign with multiple PDC titles under his belt.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed excitement over the new lineup, anticipating great entertainment for audiences in the UK and Europe. The league format includes quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals over the best of 11 legs on each of the 16 league nights. Points earned will determine the league table standings, with the top four players progressing to the Finals Night.
The upcoming season is set to build on the momentum from the recent historic World Championship, promising a memorable event with top players showcasing their skills on the grand stage.