As the 2025 Premier League Darts season heads into its final league night, all eyes turn to Sheffield on Thursday, May 22. Three of the four playoff spots have been secured, and with the pressure mounting, Night 16 promises to deliver high-stakes drama as the race to make the O2 Arena reaches its climax.
The Premier League’s unique format runs over 16 weeks, with fixed brackets on 14 nights. However, Nights 8 and 16 break that mold, featuring matchups based on current standings. That dynamic format sets up an unpredictable and potentially season-defining final night and sees 4th placed Nathan Aspinall face 5th placed Michael van Gerwen in a meeting that could prove decisive in the fight to finish in the playoff places.
Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting
Before the Aspinall vs Van Gerwen meeting however, Thursday night’s action in Sheffield will begin with a compelling showdown between league leader Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting, who currently sits in eighth place.
A win for Littler would see the teenage sensation set a new all-time Premier League Darts points record, whilst another nightly win for 'The Nuke' would extend that record also.
Whilst the playoffs are some way off for Bunting after a nightmare start to the campaign, 'The Bullet' enters the match still with plenty to play for, aiming to avoid finishing bottom of the table and end his campaign on a high note.
Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen
Following that opening clash, attention will shift to the evening’s most anticipated matchup — the aforementioned high-stakes rematch between Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen. The two met just last week in Aberdeen, where Aspinall not only secured a crucial win over the Dutchman but went on to claim the nightly title, overtaking Van Gerwen in the league standings in the process.
‘The Asp’ began the night trailing his Dutch rival by a single point in the league standings, but now heads into the final night with a four-point cushion over ‘Mighty Mike’, meaning a win in this quarter-final will guarantee him a place in the top 4.
Therefore, the pressure is firmly on Van Gerwen, who must produce a perfect run and win Night 16 outright to have any chance of making the playoffs. Anything less, and his campaign will come to an abrupt end.
Luke Humphries v Rob Cross
The third quarter-final of the night is a showdown between former world champions. Whilst Luke Humphries' dream of topping the league table is out of reach, 'Cool Hand Luke' will be looking to build up some positive momentum heading towards the playoffs at the O2 Arena. A quarter-final win over Rob Cross could be the perfect start to that charge.
For Cross meanwhile, he knows that a win over Humphries will more than likely see him avoid ending the campaign bottom of the pile. Cross starts the final night 4 points clear of Stephen Bunting, and with Chris Dobey one one point ahead of 'Voltage', there is also room for the former world champ to rise in the table if he ends the season on a high.
Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey
Completing the quarter-final action on Night 16 in Sheffield, Gerwyn Price and Chris Dobey face off in what is essentially a free-hit for both players.
After receiving much criticism over his inclusion in the Premier League this season, Price has responded in the best way possible, winning three weekly titles, hitting two nine-darts and comfortably securing a place in the playoffs at the O2 for just the second time in his illustrious career.
Dobey meanwhile, has had a solid if unspectacular Premier League return in 2025. Winning one night, 'Hollywood' tops the trio of players cast adrift from the rest at the bottom of the table and will be looking to end his campaign on a high to keep building momentum ahead of the coming tournaments.
Winner's bonus of £10,000
One of the standout features of the Premier League Darts format is its weekly mini-tournament structure. Each night of the season operates as its own self-contained competition, with the winner pocketing a £10,000 bonus. This setup allows players to significantly increase their earnings by racking up multiple nightly victories over the 16-week campaign — creating the potential for up to £160,000 in additional prize money across the season.
In addition to the financial incentives, players also accumulate points based on their performance each night. A tournament win earns five points toward the overall standings, while the runner-up collects three. Semi-finalists receive two points apiece, and those who exit in the quarter-final stage leave without adding to their tally.
Format
Tournament Phase
Quarterfinals/Semi-Finals/Finals: Best of 11 legs
Playoffs
Semifinals: Best of 19 legs
Final: Best of 21 legs
TV Guide
Darts fans can catch all the Premier League action live each Thursday evening, courtesy of Sky Sports. Coverage begins at 7 p.m., featuring every match of the night along with in-depth analysis, expert commentary, and interviews with the sport’s biggest names.
The broadcast typically runs until around 11 p.m., offering viewers a full evening of world-class darts and behind-the-scenes insight — perfect for fans who want to stay fully immersed in the drama from first dart to final checkout.
Distribution of prize money
The Premier League Darts season offers more than just prestige — it comes with a hefty prize pool of £1,000,000. Each of the eight players is guaranteed at least £60,000 simply for taking part, but there’s much more at stake as the competition progresses. The eventual champion will walk away with a top prize of £275,000, making the title one of the most lucrative in the sport.
On top of the overall earnings, there’s also a weekly incentive built into the league format. Every time a player wins one of the individual nightly tournaments during the regular season, they earn an additional £10,000 — offering both financial reward and momentum as the playoffs approach.
Schedule Premier League Darts 2025
Night 16 - Thursday, May 22.
Utilita Arena, Sheffield
Quarterfinals (7pm)
Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting
Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries v Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey
Semi-final
Littler/Bunting v Aspinall/Van Gerwen
Humphries/Cross v Price/Dobey
Final
- v -
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