Halfway stage in the Premier League as Berlin is the next stop

Luke Littler will aim to continue his charge towards the summit of the BetMGM Premier League standings as the darting roadshow heads to Uber Arena for Night Eight on Thursday.

The reigning World Champion produced a sensational display to claim his second nightly win of the campaign in Dublin last week, fighting back from the brink on two occasions to underline his credentials as a genuine title contender in 2026.

Littler overturned deficits of 5-3 and 5-0 against Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price respectively, after defeating Stephen Bunting in a high-quality quarter-final clash.

That remarkable run secured the 19-year-old his second nightly success in three weeks and lifted him into second place in the table, just three points behind league leader Jonny Clayton.

Having topped the league phase in each of his first two Premier League appearances, Littler is now targeting a third successive first-place finish.

“I’ve finished top in the last two years and I want to do it again,” insisted Littler, who renews his rivalry with Bunting in a repeat of their Dublin encounter.

“With the start Jonny had and the start I’ve had, it’s good to see I’ve closed the gap. I’m right behind him now, so we’ll go and chase him.”

Clayton, who made a blistering start to the season, remains the man to catch despite suffering his first quarter-final defeat of the campaign in Dublin. The Welshman will open proceedings in Berlin against Josh Rock, who is still searching for his first nightly win of the season.

Meanwhile, Luke Humphries arrives in the German capital with renewed confidence after a superb weekend on the European Tour.

The world number two surged back into the Play-Off places for the first time since Night One following a 6-3 victory over Clayton in Dublin, producing an average in excess of 103 to halt the Welshman’s early dominance.

Humphries followed that up by clinching his maiden Belgian Darts Open title, defeating Clayton once again in Sunday’s showpiece to secure his ninth European Tour crown.

“I’m working so hard to try and push every dart player and be the best version of myself,” said the defending Premier League champion, who faces Van Gerwen in a blockbuster quarter-final tie.

“I love this sport, I love being a part of it and winning trophies means the world to me.

“I put myself under pressure in Wieze, but it was really nice to get that winning feeling again. When you’re not winning as much, it becomes harder and you feel the nerves, but hopefully I can kick on now.”

Elsewhere, Price will take on Gian van Veen in the evening’s final quarter-final, as the Dutchman returns to action after missing Night Seven due to illness.

Van Veen has been one of the standout performers in this year’s competition, reaching three nightly finals during the opening phase of the campaign, and will be eager to reignite his push for a Play-Off place.

With just a handful of nights remaining before the race to The O2 Arena intensifies, every point is becoming increasingly significant.

Five points are awarded to the nightly winner, three to the runner-up and two to each semi-finalist, with only the top four players progressing to Finals Night.

As the Premier League season approaches its business end, Berlin could prove pivotal in shaping the battle for qualification — and Littler has the opportunity to take another major step towards the top of the table.

Halfway stage in the Premier League as Berlin is the next stop 

2026 BetMGM Premier League

Night Eight – Uber Arena

Thursday March 26

Quarter-Finals

Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock

Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen

Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting

Gerwyn Price v Gian van Veen

Semi-Finals

Clayton/Rock v Humphries/Van Gerwen

Littler/Bunting v Price/Van Veen

Final

v

All matches best of 11 legs