After another controversial Premier League line-up, fans have called for an alternative league for the players who missed out.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, and Chris Dobey have made the cut for the touring competition, but some top players missed out.
European Champion Ritchie Edhouse, UK Open champion Dimitri van Den Bergh, and Grand Prix winner Mike De Decker failed to make the tournament, while the likes of Damon Heta and Dave Chisnall were also snubbed.
With so many elite players failing to squeeze into the illustrious tournament, fans have called for a second-string version of the Premier League.
Darts fans call for ‘championship’ version of the Premier League
Darts is arguably more competitive and popular than it has ever been and this year’s Premier League was the toughest to decide yet.
After the PDC was forced to make some tough decisions about the tournament, fans have plotted a second-tier version of the Premier League.
On X, one fan wrote: “A championship version is a great idea, it’s needed! Do it over two nights, have two PL + two Championship matches per night.”
Another said: “They should totally do this. It would be fun, very popular, and help develop players”, while one wrote: “It would be more fun to watch than the regular league!”
The Premier League kicks off on February 6 in Belfast and runs until finals night on May 29 at The O2 in London.
Were the PDC right with their Premier League line-up?
Premier League line-up day is often one of the most controversial days in the darting calendar as fans jockey for their favourites to be included.
It’s worth remembering that the Premier League is essentially an exhibition tournament and its format is designed for long-term entertainment rather than true darting skill.
The likes of Humphries, Littler, and van Gerwen were dead certs for the event, and Bunting’s overall popularity and Masters win secured his place in the tournament.
Snubbing Michael Smith and Peter Wright after their middling form in 2024 was the right call, but you have to feel for De Decker who becomes the first player to win a major tournament in front of the Sky cameras to not be selected.
A disappointing second-round exit at the World Darts Championship lost all the momentum the Belgian needed to make his debut in the tournament.
While World No. 8 Heta and World No. 6 Chisnall can consider themselves unlucky to miss out, unless the Premier League is extended to 10 or 12 players these debates will always rumble on.