Luke Littler's Premier League Format Change Hopes Dashed
Luke Littler's push for a major overhaul of the Premier League Darts format has been firmly rejected by PDC supremo Barry Hearn. The teenage sensation recently clinched his second Premier League title in three years, defeating Luke Humphries in a dramatic last-leg decider at the O2 Arena in London. However, his desire to see the return of the older 10-player format has been dismissed, with Hearn declaring that the current system is here to stay.
The Current Premier League Format
Introduced in 2022, the current format features eight players competing in mini knockout tournaments every Thursday. The top four at the end of the regular season advance to the play-offs. While this structure has been successful in terms of ticket sales and audience engagement, it has faced criticism for its repetitive nature, with the same top players facing each other frequently. For instance, Littler and Humphries met nine times during the 2026 tournament.
Littler's Vision for Change
Speaking at the end of last month, Littler expressed his desire for a return to the 10-player format used until 2021. Under that system, every player competed in one match each night, with the bottom two eliminated after week nine. The remaining eight then battled for the four play-off spots. Littler said: "I’d like to see a change. I’d like to play in a Premier League where it’s just one game a night. Get an extra two players in, get a judgement night back in as well, because that’s what I grew up watching. It was very, very interesting to see obviously two Premier League players go with your 10th and 9th and then the other eight can battle it out."
Barry Hearn's Firm Stance
Despite Littler's pleas, PDC chairman Barry Hearn has made it clear that the current format will not be altered anytime soon. Speaking to HLN, Hearn said: "Every year we conduct an evaluation and that will happen again this year. But if something isn't broken, you shouldn't fix it. This year we have sold 98.2 per cent of all tickets. That is amazing. You always have one or two empty seats. Darts has become so big. Last year, the World Championship was sold out after just 15 minutes, faster than Glastonbury Festival. Yes, there will be further changes. The Premier League might change someday, but let us evaluate first, in silence."
Mixed Signals from PDC Leadership
Interestingly, PDC chief executive Matt Porter had previously suggested that the organization was open to reviewing the format. He said: "Obviously, you are never going to please everybody with everything that you do. I think whilst people are talking about it that shows they care and we can’t ask much more than that. We’ve had it for four years, we wouldn’t have it for eight years. So, if you look at the life cycle of it then it will certainly be in that part than the ascendency. You are never going to pick something that will please everyone, but we will always look at what we can do." However, Hearn's latest comments indicate that any changes are unlikely in the near future.
What's Next for the Premier League?
With record-breaking ticket sales and growing popularity, the Premier League Darts appears to be thriving under its current format. While Littler and some fans may yearn for the old 10-player system, the PDC's leadership seems content to stick with what works. As Hearn emphasized, "if something isn't broken, you shouldn't fix it." For now, Littler will have to continue competing under the same structure that has brought him success.
