'I don't watch it': Damon Heta not a fan of monotonous Premier League Darts format

Damon Heta has harshly criticized the current format of Premier League Darts, admitting that he has not watched a single one of them this season. According to the Australian darter, the format has become too repetitive and lacks excitement.

The world's top players, including Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, will meet weekly on stage in 2025 - a poster that has now been played seven times this season. But for Heta, it all no longer needs to be. Speaking to Sporting Life Heta said, “No I don’t watch it. I haven’t watched it this year. I see the results obviously they come up on social media all the time. But I didn’t watch it. I might have watched a few games last year."

The 2022 World Cup of Darts winner thinks the concept of Premier League Darts has become too monotonous: "I think it’s too much. It’s the same people in the match ups and then I’m seeing them every week at darts.

“I’m on the dartboard practicing when they’re playing the thing. I mean you are getting those prestigious games but all the time so you’re flooding the good darts.

“The Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries you’re going to see them twenty plus times a year probably play each other. I’m not even sure how many times we have seen a Phil Taylor vs MvG game."

Returning relegation and plea for 'B-League'

Heta advocates the reintroduction of the relegation system, which has been abolished since 2021, to bring more commitment and urgency back into the league. “I did like the relegation back in the day. I thought it was pretty good.

“Because the first half of the season they are playing to stay in it. And then the people probably towards the back end — when you’ve got a long season — if they’re doing bad, you. It’s like, what are they playing for if they are not making the top four? I mean for £10,000 — but is that enough for them?”

According to Heta, the prize money of £10,000 a night is not enough motivation for some when there is nothing more at stake. Therefore, he comes up with a striking proposal: a second division of the Premier League. "Whether the B League plays behind closed doors to get to that stage. It gives that person — whoever wins the second league — that chance to prove themselves.

“I’ve done it for 17 weeks and now I’ve won it, then you get the promotion into the Premier League.”