After a two-week break from PDC action, some of the biggest names in the sport head to the Middle East for the Bahrain Darts Masters.
This year’s 2025 Premier League line-up will jet off to Bahrain to prove the PDC was right to select them as they compete against some of the Asian tour’s finest.
Those locked into the 2025 World Darts Championship should be excited by the prospect of Alexis Toylo and Paolo Nebrida competing against the very best after earning Ally Pally scalps against Richard Veenstra and Ross Smith respectively.
The eight trophies in the 2024 World Series of Darts were shared between five men last term, with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross, and Michael van Gerwen picking up one of the non-ranking events.
There is one change to the line-up with van Gerwen missing from the action due to family commitments and he’ll be replaced by Peter Wright.
Here are five players who could pick up the first World Series of Darts trophy of the year.
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Luke Littler
The Nuke heads to Bahrain with two points to prove, as he’s looking to defend his title from 2024 and continue the momentum that earned him his first World Championship.
Littler was fortunate not to meet a seeded player at Alexandra Palace until the semi-finals, but that won’t be the case in Sakhir.
If the teenager wants to reclaim his World Series crown, he’ll likely have to beat at least three of the PDC representatives.
If he shows his form from Ally Pally, there’s every chance The Nuke adds another crown to his ever-expanding collection.
Luke Humphries
Humphries will still be seething from his devastating 4-1 defeat to Peter Wright in the World Darts Championship.
Cool Hand’s title defence didn’t go the way he hoped, but he’s still one of the most dangerous players the PDC has to offer.
The 29-year-old has a strange relationship with the World Series, having only won one tournament on the 2024 tour.
He’ll be looking to change that as soon as possible and could come out fighting in Bahrain.
Stephen Bunting
Stephen Bunting joined the PDC elite with his Masters win in 2024 and he’s more than deserving of his Premier League place.
The Bullet has only ever reached one final of a World Series event, back in 2014 at the Sydney Masters in a loss to Phil Taylor.
The full-on format may take Bunting a while to get used to, but should he get through his first two ties he has more than half a chance of making more history.
Rob Cross
Much like with Humphries, Cross will head to the Middle East looking to prove a point after his disappointing World Darts Championship.
Voltage crashed out at the first time of asking against Scott Williams in the second round, which is unlike the star who is normally so impressive on the big stages.
Cross has proved he has what it takes to win a World Series event, winning on four occasions including the PDC’s massive showcase at Madison Square Garden in 2024.
The World No. 4 could put his Ally Pally disappointment behind him completely with another taste of World Series victory.
Chris Dobey
Chris Dobey will be hoping to build on his impressive display at the World Darts Championship by proving critics he belongs in events like the Premier League and the World Series.
The Geordie has very little history in these international events, but his high-scoring ability will make him a difficult opponent across a vastly shorter format.
Dobey’s first-ever World Darts Championship semi-final should give him the confidence to be a tough test in Bahrain.