Luke Littler secured a Premier League victory in 2024.
Luke Littler demonstrated composure amidst a hostile reception in Liverpool, overcoming jeers to solidify his position in the Premier League play-offs with a commanding 6-1 win over Jonny Clayton.
The 19-year-old Manchester United supporter faced boos throughout the evening on Merseyside but maintained his focus to clinch his fourth nightly win in week 12.
Littler defeated Luke Humphries 6-2 in the quarter-finals, but faced a stern test from Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final.
With the top four players in the Premier League table advancing to the finals night, Clayton currently leads, three points ahead of Littler in second place, who in turn is 15 points ahead of Gian van Veen in fifth.
Clayton and Littler hold a significant lead over the rest of the field with four league-phase nights remaining before the finals at London’s O2 Arena on 28 May.
Reflecting on the contrasting receptions in Rotterdam the previous Thursday and Liverpool, Littler remarked: “Rotterdam was way louder than this tonight.”
“There was a little bit [of booing] but this week was nothing compared to last week.”
“I’ve just got to forget about it. I was definitely focused and wanted to win tonight, and that’s what I’ve done.”
Having topped the table in the previous two years, Littler is determined to repeat the feat, stating: “I’m very close to Jonny now and I’m going to go chasing.”
“I want to finish top once again and if it’s not to be then it’s not to be, but there are still four weeks left to play for.”
Littler, who was met with boos in Rotterdam following his exchange with Dutch number one Gian van Veen in Manchester three weeks prior, displayed resilience to secure another five points.
He quickly established a 4-0 lead over Clayton in the final, capitalizing on missed doubles from the 2021 Premier League champion.
While Clayton managed to land only one of his six double attempts, Littler averaged over 104 and boasted a 60% checkout rate to secure the victory.
Premier League Darts 2026 fixtures, results and table
A notable surprise in this year’s Premier League is the defending champion Humphries, who is currently in sixth place and at risk of failing to qualify for the play-offs.
The world number two has not been at his best in the competition he won last May, with only seven match wins after the 12th week.
After 16 weeks last year, Humphries had secured 21 match wins and three nightly victories. He is yet to win a night this time around.
With Van Gerwen – currently holding the fourth and final play-off spot – gaining points, it was crucial for Humphries to respond.
Humphries had expressed his aim to win the night in his pre-match interview, hoping to propel himself into contention for the top four.
However, his doubles again proved to be a weakness.
His average of 99.39 was higher than Littler’s, but his checkout rate was only 18%, compared to the world champion’s 46%.
With four nights remaining before the play-offs, Humphries trails Van Gerwen in fourth place by five points.
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Quarter-finals
Gian van Veen 6-4 Gerwyn Price
Stephen Bunting 5-6 Jonny Clayton
Josh Rock 3-6 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries 2-6 Luke Littler
Semi-final
Gian van Veen 5-6 Jonny Clayton
Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Luke Littler
Final
Jonny Clayton 1-6 Luke Littler
Thursday, 30 April – P&J Live, Aberdeen
Quarter-finals
Josh Rock v Luke Littler
Stephen Bunting v Gerwyn Price
Jonny Clayton v Gian van Veen
Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen
Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.
Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures compiled according to the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.
Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.
The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London’s O2 Arena on 28 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.
If players are level on points after the 16 weeks, then places are decided by nights won and then matches won.