Stephen Bunting silences critics with Belfast win
Stephen Bunting, currently sixth in the PDC's order of merit, ended a challenging start to the Premier League by securing victory on night four in Belfast, defeating Gian van Veen in the final. This marked Bunting's third final defeat of the season for Van Veen.
The 40-year-old had faced criticism and doubts over his place in the tournament after failing to win any matches in the first three weeks. This followed a difficult previous year where he took nine weeks to register a point in the Premier League, his first participation since being a challenger in 2020.
In response to the criticism, Bunting stepped away from social media and delivered a strong performance in Belfast. He recorded his highest Premier League average of 106.63 during a 6-4 quarter-final win over defending champion Luke Humphries.
He maintained his form with another 106 average in a 6-0 semi-final victory against current league leader Jonny Clayton, before securing a decisive 6-2 win over Van Veen in the final.
Van Veen, competing in the tournament for the first time, has impressed by reaching three finals in four weeks but has yet to claim a title.
Northern Ireland's Josh Rock, another debutant this year, was defeated 6-2 by Van Veen in the quarter-finals. Despite the loss, Rock thrilled the home crowd by achieving the first nine-darter of this year's tournament.
Meanwhile, world number one Luke Littler faced further disappointment, losing 6-3 to Clayton in the quarter-finals, leaving him with only one win in four weeks.
Premier League Darts 2026 fixtures, results and table
'Don't care if I never throw another nine-darter'
Players who hit a nine-darter in the Premier League are awarded a set of 18-carat gold darts.
Despite his nine-darter achievement, Rock's 6-2 defeat marked his fourth consecutive loss by that scoreline in his debut Premier League campaign. Known as one of the highest scorers on the tour, the 24-year-old has struggled to replicate his usual form, averaging 92.33 across the four weeks with a checkout percentage of 29.63% (eight from 27).
Nevertheless, Rock now holds a memorable milestone, celebrated by the home crowd.
"My body is in overdrive. I'm shaking like a leaf. I've never played in the Premier League, never mind a nine-darter in Belfast. Never mind the loss - throwing a nine-darter in front of the home crowd is a huge achievement. I don't care if I never throw a nine-darter again - this is a dream come true."
Former World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle commented on Rock's performance, emphasizing the need for improvement.
"I was saying he's got no composure and can't string two darts together, let alone three," he said on Sky Sports. "He won't know where it has come from. It was incredible, but while it is great for him, he needs and wants to play miles better than that. He needs to start putting performances together.
"They [four 6-2 defeats in a row] are hidings. He needs to improve. There is so much more to come from Josh Rock and he needs to concentrate on that."
Premier League Darts night four results
- Stephen Bunting 6-4 Luke Humphries
- Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Gerwyn Price
Premier League Darts table 2026
Premier League Darts format and points system
Premier League Darts is contested over 16 initial weeks during the league stage, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final each night.
Each of the eight players faces the other seven in the quarter-finals during weeks one to seven and nine to fifteen, with weeks eight and sixteen featuring fixtures determined off the table. This setup ensures a fourth vs fifth matchup in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with play-off positions potentially at stake.
Players earn two points for each quarter-final win, an additional point for winning their semi-final, and five points for winning the night.
The top four players after the group stage advance to the play-off night at London's O2 Arena on 23 May. The semi-finals are best-of-19-leg matches, with first facing fourth and second facing third. The final is contested over the best of 21 legs.
If players are tied on points after 16 weeks, rankings are decided by nights won, followed by matches won.
Premier League Darts night five order of play
Thursday, 5 March - Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Michael van Gerwen vs Luke Humphries
