Darts star Michael Van Gerwen has called for a change to the format of the Premier League, citing that the current iteration is too ‘predictable’. The eight-player tournament – which has taken place annually since 2005 – starts on Thursday in Newcastle with weekly fixtures taking place until the end of May.
Van Gerwen – the most successful Premier League Darts player ever – takes part in this year’s tournament as he looks to become an eight-time champion. He will be joined by the sport’s best including reigning champion Luke Humphries, Luke Littler and debutant Gian van Veen. However, Mighty Mike feels the current format – introduced in 2022 – makes the event stale and less exciting for fans.
He said: “I didn’t do too well last year but I also don’t like the format to be fair. Sometimes that doesn’t help me.
“I prefer the old format ahead of what we do now, you could involve eliminations or split it with this format for a few weeks then the old format again.
“Now, all the players play too many games against each other and before people really look forward to a certain week. They know that night is going to be Luke and Luke or Luke and Michael instead of it happening every single week.
“I also understand from the spectator’s point of view, every week they get a little winner because there’s a little tournament each week.”
In January 2022, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) introduced a new format for the Premier League. Instead of the previously used round-robin format, the event now consists of an eight-person knockout bracket every night.
At the time of the change PDC chief executive Matt Porter said: “The Premier League has grown beyond recognition since first being introduced 17 years ago, but the time was right to introduce this ground-breaking new format.
“Our new format means that every match matters. Every night throughout the season has its own champion and will provide even greater value for fans attending and watching around the world, with seven games playing through to a conclusion to find a winner in each venue.”
He added: “Maybe he said that in his emotion. Of course, there’s no shadow of a doubt, he’s a fantastic player and definitely one of the greatest players I have ever seen.
“But to say he’s the greatest player of all, if he can continue this for another 10 years or 15 years, I’ll say yes, he’s right, but first let him do it.
“If I purely look at what he’s doing now, and his capability, he’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen. But you need to look over a longer distance. I think he can, but I want to see his hunger over the next five, six, seven years.”