Ahead of the 2026 Premier League Darts League, we asked sky sports‘Experts’ big predictions for the tournament…

Emma Payton’s predictions

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

Luke Littler – But isn’t that an obvious fact? I don’t think the world champion will have too many problems at the start, I think he’ll want to make a statement.

In addition to Littler, I think Gervin Price will also be looking to put his good form to work this year. A good start to the Premier League will help!

Who will emerge victorious on final night?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Jonny Clayton does a great job in it. A former Premier League champion is keen to get back on the pitch.

He’s got an opportunity now and I’m sure he’ll want to take it.

Who will win PL Darts 2026?

It’s hard to bet against Luke Littler. I think he was scarred after losing to Luke Humphries in last year’s final and he’s been dominant all season.

This time he didn’t want to leave without a trophy.

Wayne Mader’s predictions

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

Listen, while not boring and predictable, you have to feel like Luke Littler is going to be the guy to beat most weeks.

I feel like he and Luke Humphries are just not as good as Gian van Veen, who is the third best player in the world, but they seem to be.

So I’ll stick with Luke and Luke. I just felt like they were the ones to beat. Ultimately, I think one of them is going to go ahead and win no matter what. It will be difficult to do business with them over and over again.

Who can make it to the finals night at the last moment?

I didn’t think Josh Locke’s performance in the Masters quarter-finals was particularly good, but I think the Premier League could be made for him, I really do.

I think week in and week out, three games a night, you have to be busy. If you’re not there, you still have to be good enough, and I think he is. I think he might be that guy.

Who will be the player lifting the trophy?

Littler will be the hot favorite.

I really liked the way Luke Humphries was playing ahead of the World Masters semi-finals. I love it. He looks like a million bucks, but he’s actually talking about excitement.

I’m backing Luke Humphries to win this game at the end of the Premier League.

Mark Webster’s predictions

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

It’s easy to say it’s one of Luke, but I’d go with Gian van Veen, who would fit in well.

I talked to him last week and I said, are there any nerves this year? He said no, he was very excited and looking forward to it.

When it’s new and exciting, you go out there and enjoy it. For some players in the Premier League, they have a lot of scars and they will think about that.

So for Gian and Josh Lock, I think they’re going to get off to a good start and that’s going to be exciting.

It’s going to be a very tough Premier League game.

Who will emerge victorious on final night?

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

I think Jonny Clayton, just because of his experience, he usually finds his way to the playoffs, so he’ll be there or there.

I’ll be on the side, whoever comes out of this, I don’t think anyone is going to be out like Peter Wright was in the past or Stephen Bunting was last year when he had a cold.

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

It will be a very exciting Premier League, but Jonny, with his experience, will never lose his chance at the playoffs.

Who will win PL Darts 2026?

It’s easy to say Luke Littler, and we should, but don’t forget, these 16 weeks – other than making the top four – they won’t have much of an impact on Week 17. The 17th is like a separate game.

I think he’s going to be hungry to get the title back, so I’m going to back him to win it, but I don’t think he’s going to do whatever he wants in those 17 weeks.

Littler is the one to beat, but there’s still a long way to go, isn’t it? Things may change, but I don’t think he’ll win the title again.

John Pat’s predictions

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

I fully expect Luke Littler, despite having other top guys against him in the first round in previous weeks, to thrive early in this year’s event and top the standings after week four and pull away from there.

Who will emerge victorious on final night?

I think Jonny Clayton is a player who may not come out of the gate very well, but he’s going to fight hard and step up in the final weeks to secure a spot on finals night.

Maybe even in dramatic fashion, like he did against Dimitri Van Den Bergh in 2021 and then won the title as a debutant.

Who will win PL Darts 2026?

I think Luke Littler tops the list with a wider margin than last year’s 11-point lead over Luke Humphries, and I think he’ll regain the title.

Polly James’ predictions

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

I think Littler will want to flex his muscles and put on a show as a dual world champion. He wants to get the maximum score early so he doesn’t have to chase.

Who will emerge victorious on final night?

If Gezzy doesn’t finish in the top four, I have a feeling he’ll be fighting to the end trying to lock in his spot. He’s the type of player that turns on that stubborn, steely mentality that no matter how bad things get, you never give up.

Who will win PL Darts 2026?

Littler. Too many gears and too many levels. If he gets the chance on finals night, he won’t let it go this year.

Stuart Pike’s predictions

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

here we go! At the end of May, April’s glorious darts, all roads lead to O2

As always, there’s a lot of controversy over some of the choices. Everyone has an opinion, but now let’s get down to business!

It’s really hard to top Luke Littler at the moment and he has his sights set on regaining the title after losing to his great rival Luke Humphries in the 2025 finals.

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

Littler also has his sights set on another PL nine-dart and a record average. He is chasing 125 and I wouldn’t be surprised if that goal is achieved!

Who will emerge victorious on final night?

Littler and Humphreys will advance to the semi-finals, with Gwen Price and the talented Gian van Veen both earning a spot on their debuts for me.

This game should be a perfect performance for him.

Who will win PL Darts 2026?

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

Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts League? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the action every Thursday from February to May on Sky Sports. Live stream darts and more top sports with NOW.