Nathan Aspinall: I came upon about Premier League Darts snub by way of textual content sat subsequent to Stephen Bunting

Nathan Aspinall has revealed that he came upon he didn’t make the Premier League Darts 2026 line-up by way of textual content.

The highest 4 within the PDC Order of Benefit robotically certified which means world champion Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, World Championship finalist Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen have been assured their spots.

Then Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, Gerwyn Value and Jonny Clayton have been chosen because the wildcard picks.

A debut for Rock, a return for Clayton, plus Value and Bunting retaining their locations meant that ‘The Asp’ missed out on a spot.

Aspinall made it to Finals Evening within the Premier League final 12 months however has dropped to world No 14 within the order of benefit.

In the meantime, there was a blended response to Bunting retaining his place. It was a troublesome outing for Bunting within the 2025 Premier League as he misplaced his first eight opening video games earlier than occurring to win on Evening 9 in Berlin, however he’ll return to the Premier League for a second straight 12 months.

Aspinall was truly sat subsequent to ‘The Bullet’ when he came upon he had not made it on this time round.

“The only difference that was hard this year was that we were at an event and I was travelling with Stephen Bunting on a plane and he got a text message at 3.15pm saying he was in, I got a text at 3.21pm saying I wasn’t in,” Aspinall stated.

“It was a difficult travel home. Matt Porter explained the reasons why I wasn’t in.

“I felt like I backdoored it final 12 months, I most likely did not deserve it final 12 months.

“I felt like I deserved it this year if I did get it. You take the rough with the smooth, I am not dwelling on it.

“I have not put something on social media as a result of I can not be bothered with folks leaping on it.

“I have accepted the decision, we move forward, and it gives me the hunger and fight to not miss out again.”

The PDC has been contacted for remark.

Bunting: I deserve my spot

In the meantime, Bunting stated he didn’t like that there was a query mark over his spot and that he had earned one other go in 2026.

“I am a bit disappointed people thought it was between me and Nathan to be honest,” Bunting stated.

“I believe I deserve to be in, I am world No 7, I had a great year last year, I won six tournaments, and I was in 10 finals.

“It’s one in all them – I’ve received an amazing fanbase, I’ve received an amazing walk-on, I do know folks do not discuss concerning the walk-ons.

“I honestly believe I deserve to be in there and I am going to show everyone that I deserve to be in there.

“It actually killed me 11 years in the past once I was in then received dropped out of the Premier League.

“It affected me the rest of my career to be honest for two, three years after that. I was down in the dumps.

“I’m simply grateful the PDC noticed the chance to place me in, I’m grateful, and I’m going to repay their religion with nice performances and quite a lot of wins I hope.”

Watch Premier League Darts stay on Sky Sports activities

The Premier League returns on February 5, with each week stay on Sky Sports activities.

Luke Humphries returns as defending champion, whereas Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen have been the opposite automated qualifiers.

Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Value, Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting have been the wildcard picks to finish the eight-player line-up, with the season beginning in Newcastle on February 5.

Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of Premier League Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, the World Darts Championship and extra! Stream darts and extra prime sport with no contract.