Luke Littler Commends Clayton and Price
Luke Littler, who secured the 2026 Premier League title two years after his debut victory, has expressed admiration for Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price's performances during this season's tournament.
Clayton, initially considered a significant underdog, finished the league phase in second place. He won four of the 16 weeks and reached finals night for the fourth time in his career. Price also achieved a top-four finish, qualifying for finals night for the third time, but was defeated by Littler in the semi-finals held at The O2.
"Yeah... sorry, I just had to do my job.
Gez should be proud of himself and I think Jonny has to be really, really proud of himself.
I think the bookies had him at 50-1 to win the whole Premier League, the lowest out of us, me and the other seven."
Emotional Littler Highlights His Journey
Littler's emotional response underlined his sense of achievement, especially considering he had contemplated quitting the Premier League.
So Close But So Far
Both Clayton and Price were involved in dramatic semi-final matches in London.
Clayton, nicknamed 'The Ferret' and the only player in this year's eight-man field to remain in the top four throughout the league phase, was trailing 6-2 against Luke Humphries but mounted a comeback to lead 9-7. However, Humphries rallied back. After Clayton missed a match dart to secure his place in the final, Humphries won 10-9.
During the deciding leg, a fan appeared to whistle loudly as Clayton aimed for double 16. After missing, the 51-year-old turned to the crowd before Humphries checked out 25 to clinch victory.
"I didn't know because I had my head in my towel, I was thinking 'it's definitely going in'," Humphries said about the incident.
"I wasn't even understanding what was going on. He (Clayton) wouldn't lie. You don't want to win like that unfortunately, but you see it a lot."
Gerwyn Price (left) and Jonny Clayton have twice featured together at finals night in the Premier League - doing so in 2023 and 2026
Price's semi-final was equally intense, as he faced Littler in the opening match of the night. After being level at 4-4, Littler produced a remarkable run of five consecutive legs to lead 9-4. On the verge of defeat, Price mounted a comeback by winning five successive legs to force a last-leg decider, which Littler ultimately won comfortably.
In week seven in Dublin, Price had led Littler 5-0 in the final but lost 6-5. The world number one acknowledged that this earlier encounter was discussed after the London match.
"He (Price) obviously said well done and then he said 'I was thinking about Dublin' when I came back against him," Littler revealed.
"That's when I said to Gez that it was ticking through my brain as well as his.
Every leg Gez kept winning, I was just like 'don't let it happen'."
Both Clayton and Price earned £110,000 in prize money for reaching the semi-finals of the event.
Following his defeat by Littler, Price posted on Instagram:
"Oh well, on we go.
Not sharp enough when it mattered, tough long campaign this year but enjoyed every minute.
Thanks everyone once again for showing me the utmost respect and support all the way through. Week off then back on the wagon we go."
Littler went on to defeat Humphries in a thrilling final to claim his second Premier League title and the £350,000 top prize. His 11-10 victory ensured that all 59 allotted legs were played on finals night for the first time in Premier League history.
