Premier League 2026 - Preview Night 6
Luke Littler is aiming to extend his winning run when the BetMGM Premier League roadshow rolls into Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena on Thursday.
Night Six of this year's Premier League season will take place in the East Midlands on March 12, as world number one Littler sets his sights on a second straight nightly victory. The 19-year-old opened his 2026 account with Night Five success in Cardiff last Thursday, denying Welsh duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton to surge up to third in the league table. Littler also retained his UK Open crown in Minehead over the weekend, becoming only the fourth player to win back-to-back titles at the event since the tournament's inception in 2003.
"I had a little dry spell, but I think I can say I'm back," declared Littler, who will face Price in the quarter-finals - in a repeat of last year's Nottingham showpiece.
"The form hasn't gone my way in the Premier League, so to win in Cardiff meant a lot.
"I don't think many people expected me to win in the Premier League on Thursday, and I don't think many people expected me to come to the UK Open and win.
"I played well in patches, missed a lot of doubles, but if I can win major titles not playing my best, what can I do playing my best?"
However, UK Open semi-finalist Price defeated Littler to triumph in Nottingham 12 months ago, and occupies second spot in the league table, with only legs difference separating the pair.
Gian van Veen is also level on points with Littler and Price having featured in a hat-trick of nightly finals during the opening five weeks of action. The Dutch number one will continue his Play-Off bid against reigning champion Luke Humphries, who is currently three points adrift of the top four positions.
Ironically, Thursday's clash will represent the first anniversary of Van Veen's maiden PDC ranking title - which he sealed with an 8-3 victory over Humphries. The European Champion has since won seven of his eight meetings against the world number two, although there is cause for optimism for Humphries. The 31-year-old boasts a tournament average of 100.79 - the highest of this year's field - while he also claimed the nightly spoils in Nottingham in his debut campaign back in 2024.
The winner of Humphries and Van Veen's showdown will face Littler or Price in the semi-finals, which presents Clayton with an opportunity to extend his lead at the top of the table. The 2021 champion is currently five points clear at the summit, although he faces a tough opening assignment against seven-time Premier League winner Michael van Gerwen.
The evening's other quarter-final pits Night Four winner Stephen Bunting against Josh Rock, who is bidding to avoid a sixth consecutive quarter-final exit in Nottingham. Rock averaged north of 103 in defeat to Littler last Thursday, before dumping out Bunting en route to reaching the UK Open semi-finals, where he again succumbed to the current World Champion. However, the Northern Irishman insists morale remains high ahead of his latest clash against Bunting, who slipped to seventh position following his early exit in Cardiff.
"This is brand new for me and Gian," conceded Rock, who memorably landed a nine-darter on home soil in Belfast on Night Four.
"He's got used to it a lot quicker than me, but I'm still enjoying the Premier League.
"I think I've been pretty unfortunate, especially last week against Luke. I'm not playing badly, so I believe there's a win coming."
Ranking points will be awarded per night - with five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists - to form the league table from which the top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday May 28.
The 2026 BetMGM Premier League is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
Sixth Night's Quarterfinals:
Josh Rock v Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price v Luke Littler
Night Six of this year's Premier League season will take place in the East Midlands on March 12, as world number one Littler sets his sights on a second straight nightly victory. The 19-year-old opened his 2026 account with Night Five success in Cardiff last Thursday, denying Welsh duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton to surge up to third in the league table. Littler also retained his UK Open crown in Minehead over the weekend, becoming only the fourth player to win back-to-back titles at the event since the tournament's inception in 2003.
"I had a little dry spell, but I think I can say I'm back," declared Littler, who will face Price in the quarter-finals - in a repeat of last year's Nottingham showpiece.
"The form hasn't gone my way in the Premier League, so to win in Cardiff meant a lot.
"I don't think many people expected me to win in the Premier League on Thursday, and I don't think many people expected me to come to the UK Open and win.
"I played well in patches, missed a lot of doubles, but if I can win major titles not playing my best, what can I do playing my best?"
However, UK Open semi-finalist Price defeated Littler to triumph in Nottingham 12 months ago, and occupies second spot in the league table, with only legs difference separating the pair.
Gian van Veen is also level on points with Littler and Price having featured in a hat-trick of nightly finals during the opening five weeks of action. The Dutch number one will continue his Play-Off bid against reigning champion Luke Humphries, who is currently three points adrift of the top four positions.
Ironically, Thursday's clash will represent the first anniversary of Van Veen's maiden PDC ranking title - which he sealed with an 8-3 victory over Humphries. The European Champion has since won seven of his eight meetings against the world number two, although there is cause for optimism for Humphries. The 31-year-old boasts a tournament average of 100.79 - the highest of this year's field - while he also claimed the nightly spoils in Nottingham in his debut campaign back in 2024.
The winner of Humphries and Van Veen's showdown will face Littler or Price in the semi-finals, which presents Clayton with an opportunity to extend his lead at the top of the table. The 2021 champion is currently five points clear at the summit, although he faces a tough opening assignment against seven-time Premier League winner Michael van Gerwen.
The evening's other quarter-final pits Night Four winner Stephen Bunting against Josh Rock, who is bidding to avoid a sixth consecutive quarter-final exit in Nottingham. Rock averaged north of 103 in defeat to Littler last Thursday, before dumping out Bunting en route to reaching the UK Open semi-finals, where he again succumbed to the current World Champion. However, the Northern Irishman insists morale remains high ahead of his latest clash against Bunting, who slipped to seventh position following his early exit in Cardiff.
"This is brand new for me and Gian," conceded Rock, who memorably landed a nine-darter on home soil in Belfast on Night Four.
"He's got used to it a lot quicker than me, but I'm still enjoying the Premier League.
"I think I've been pretty unfortunate, especially last week against Luke. I'm not playing badly, so I believe there's a win coming."
Ranking points will be awarded per night - with five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists - to form the league table from which the top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday May 28.
The 2026 BetMGM Premier League is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
Sixth Night's Quarterfinals:
Josh Rock v Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price v Luke Littler