Six titles or popularity: Should Ross Smith take Stephen Bunting's Premier League place?
As 2026 hits the business end of the season, all form for the top players will count towards their chances for a Premier League spot in 2027. Ambiguous on the format for next year, the field could expand to 10 players as we see a switch away from the eight-player format it has used since 2022.
Not confirmed; however, we could still see some switches in the eight-man field after the second year running with Littler, Humphries, and Price at the O2. Needing competition, Ross Smith has proved this year that he can beat the best, winning the World Series of Darts Finals and the European Championship on television and picking up four other titles, which could mean a player is dropped.
Despite finishing fifth last year, Bunting may find himself the first name in the firing line with his lacklustre 2026 form and a second year running where he has failed to make the playoffs. A popular figure, could he be axed for a new face, or could he stay for one last chance at the title?
Who could leave the Premier League? In 2026, Bunting has fallen to World Number 14, the lowest position he has been in for two years, and now sits below Ross Smith in the PDC Order of Merit.
Yet why are we talking about Bunting and not the three players who finished below him in the Premier League last season? Michael Van Gerwen, Gian Van Veen and Josh Rock all finished below The Bullet last year, but this doesn't tell the full picture.
With Gian Van Veen securing his place in the top 4, his inclusion is guaranteed. His fellow Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen sits in a less fortunate position, with his 2026 ranking seeing a similar fall to Bunting of seven places, down from world number 3, and continuing to spiral on stage as well.
Losing the first round of the World Grand Prix and not reaching a quarter-final at any major this year, his form would suggest he would be replaced. Commercially, Van Gerwen still draws in casual fans, but his drawing power alone may not outweigh the chance to bring Ross Smith or James Wade into the Premier League.
What's more, Bunting, Van Gerwen and Van Veen all finished on the same points: 18, meaning Josh Rock sitting at the bottom with 8 also seems dispensable. Failing to win his maiden singles major so far, Rock's form hasn't been as good as last year.
However, the Northern Irishman has Premier League-tailored qualities that could leave him a chance of staying in, like big moments and a large personality, personified by his heroic Belfast nine-darter. It's clear then that there is room for at least one, if not two, players at the expense of any players on this list, and with Wade just missing out last year, he takes the first spot.