Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price ready to shine on home soil

Wales’ former World Cup champions Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price will headline Night Five of the BetMGM Premier League, as the roadshow arrives in Cardiff for what promises to be a raucous evening in the Welsh capital.

The Utilita Arena Cardiff hosts Thursday’s action on March 5, with both home favourites aiming to capitalise on passionate local backing.

Clayton, the 2021 Premier League champion, has made a superb return to the competition and arrives on home turf sitting top of the table with a two-point cushion. The 51-year-old has been flawless in the quarter-finals so far this season and has notably recorded successive victories over world number one Luke Littler in Glasgow and Belfast.

Across those two contests, Clayton has outscored Littler 12-4, underlining his authority in the early weeks of the campaign. However, another stern examination awaits as he takes on Gian van Veen, with the league’s top two set to collide in a heavyweight quarter-final.

Van Veen has been a model of consistency during his debut Premier League season, reaching three nightly finals across the opening four weeks and firmly establishing himself among the title contenders.

Despite the challenge, Clayton is relishing the opportunity to perform in front of his home crowd.

“I’ve waited three years to do this! I’m really excited!” insisted the world number five.

“The Welsh crowd are second to none. You can ask Gezzy the same question, there’s no better place, it is fantastic. The atmosphere tomorrow night is going to be special.

“I want to play against Gezzy in that final! It would be a great night if we could have the two Welsh boys in the final.

“It’ll be a dream if I could hit a nine-darter in front of my home crowd like Josh [Rock] did last week. That was fantastic, and hopefully I can do the same tomorrow night!”

Price, who lifted the Night Two trophy in Antwerp earlier this season, will begin his Cardiff campaign against a rejuvenated Stephen Bunting.

Bunting reignited his Play-Off aspirations on Night Four in Belfast after a difficult start to the season. Having suffered three straight quarter-final exits, the Liverpool thrower responded in emphatic fashion, defeating Luke Humphries, Clayton and Van Veen to secure the nightly title.

That triumph propelled Bunting into fifth place in the standings, and a victory over Price would see him move level on points with the former world champion.

“I learnt a lot from last year,” admitted Bunting, who endured a challenging 2025 campaign.

“It took me a long while to get that first win, and I’m happy I’ve got that monkey off my back now.

“I still believe I’m one of the best players in the world and deserve to be in this Premier League; that win in Belfast goes a long way to say why I should be here.

“This has to rank up there with one of the best wins of my career. I was a bit emotional early on after my first game, but I held it together.”

The evening begins with a mouth-watering clash between seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen and reigning Premier League title-holder Humphries, who currently sits three points outside the top four.

Humphries has averaged an impressive 103.25 across his six matches to date, while Van Gerwen occupies third place in the table despite posting an overall average almost seven points lower than the world number two — highlighting the Dutchman’s ability to grind out results.

Thursday’s remaining quarter-final pits seventh against eighth in the standings, as Littler meets Josh Rock, who continues his search for a first win of the campaign.

Littler boasts fond memories of Cardiff, having struck a nine-darter against Van Gerwen at this venue in 2025 en route to claiming the nightly crown. Rock, meanwhile, arrives off the back of his own perfect leg in Belfast, though he has endured four consecutive 6-2 defeats to start the season.

With ranking points awarded each night — five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to each semi-finalist — the race for the top four intensifies ahead of Finals Night at The O2 Arena in London on May 28.

On Welsh soil, the stakes feel even higher. For Clayton and Price, it is more than just another league night — it is a chance to deliver a statement performance in front of a nation eager to celebrate its darting heroes.

Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price ready to shine on home soil 

2026 BetMGM Premier League

Night Five – Utilita Arena, Cardiff

Thursday March 5

Quarter-Finals

Michael van Gerwen v Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen v Jonny Clayton

Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting

Luke Littler v Josh Rock

Semi-Finals

Van Gerwen/Humphries v Van Veen/Clayton

Price/Bunting v Littler/Rock

Final

v

All matches best of 11 legs