Michael van Gerwen made a serious assertion as he gained Evening One in all Premier League Darts 2026 with a 6-4 victory over Gian van Veen within the closing in Newcastle.
Within the all-Dutch closing, it was Van Gerwen who appeared probably the most snug all through and the nightly win proved to be only a step too far for Van Veen on his debut night time.
By shifting as much as world No 3 on the World Darts Championship, Van Veen took the Dutch No 1 tag from Van Gerwen, with ‘The Inexperienced Machine’ having to relinquish that tag for the primary time in over a decade.
However, Van Gerwen made positive to remind everybody simply why he held that place for therefore lengthy.
Remarkably, Van Gerwen didn’t choose up a nightly win within the 2025 Premier League however made positive it was an ideal begin in 2026 as he vowed to get pleasure from his darts.
“It’s definitely a good performance,” Van Gerwen instructed Sky Sports activities.
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The second Van Gerwen defeated Van Veen to win the opening night time of the Premier League Darts season
“With out enjoying my A-game, I nonetheless gained it. I used to be regular and had some implausible ending on the proper moments.
“I know I can do better but this gives you confidence. Winning games is the best medicine.
“I wish to qualify for the play-offs however that isn’t my fundamental precedence. My fundamental precedence is the rating tournaments.
“The Premier League is the second-biggest tournament for us but for me personally the ranking events are more important.
“However that does not take away from this match and profitable is rarely boring. I would like consistency, which has been lacking in my sport.
“I want to enjoy myself and results will come.”
After Evening One, Van Gerwen sits on prime of the desk on 5 factors, with Van Veen second on three factors, Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries on two, then Gerwyn Worth, Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock on zero factors.
Van Gerwen tops the desk after Evening One of many 2026 Premier League Darts season
Van Gerwen’s assertion night time on the toon
Van Gerwen had been in tremendous type all night time and continued that together with his quick begin within the closing, rapidly choosing up the primary two legs with Van Veen on the again foot.
‘The Big’ managed to deliver the rating again to 2-2 however that didn’t faze the seven-time Premier League winner, who continued to outscore his opponent on the way in which to shifting 4-2 forward.
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Stephen Bunting makes his walk-on throughout Evening One of many Premier League Darts in Newcastle
Whereas not at his sensational finest, Van Veen continued to battle and maintain his throw, utilizing his luck as Van Gerwen squandered three match darts from 5-3 up.
Nonetheless, with the darts and time on his facet, Van Gerwen discovered his energy scoring as soon as once more and clinched D14 to place himself on prime after only one week.
MVG was additionally in imperious vogue as he powered previous reigning champion Humphries for a complete 6-2 victory within the semi-finals.
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Van Gerwen takes out 114 to seal a 6-2 win over Luke Humphries
Whereas Humphries struggled on the doubles, Van Gerwen confirmed him how it’s achieved with a 104 checkout then 114 end on tops to make sure he might tackle his fellow Dutchman.
‘The Inexperienced Machine’ had acquired his marketing campaign off to a robust begin with a 6-2 victory over Bunting.
After Bunting claimed a fast 2-0 lead, Van Gerwen took out a outstanding six legs on the spin to arrange his conflict with the world No 2.
Van Veen shines on PL debut
Van Veen opened his Premier League account with a dream debut as he gained revenge over Littler for his World Darts Championship closing defeat.
Averaging within the mid-90s, the Dutch No1 broke Littler within the closing leg by nailing D16 to seal his spot within the semi-finals.
A gap-night loss will not be new to ‘The Nuke’, although, as he additionally suffered opening-night quarter-final defeat in 2025 when he was overwhelmed by Van Gerwen. Nonetheless, in that match he averaged over 113.
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The second Van Veen defeated Littler within the quarter-finals
Van Veen then clinched his spot within the closing after battling for a tricky 6-4 victory over Clayton.
The Dutchman was on prime within the match after three breaks of throw however after lacking a match dart, ‘The Ferret’ fought again and introduced the competition to 5-4.
Nonetheless, Van Veen discovered his 180 hitting as soon as once more and made it rely, taking out D16 for an 11-darter.
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Humphries finds 40 to edge previous Gerwyn Worth within the quarter-finals
Clayton had made an announcement return with a 6-2 victory over Rock, averaging 110 and discovering a 67 per cent checkout fee on the doubles to energy previous the debutant who averaged over 102.
In the meantime, defending champion Humphries got here via a nervy last-leg decider to safe a 6-5 victory over Worth.
His 105 common helped him over the road and after lacking his personal match darts then surviving a match dart from the ‘Iceman’, Humphries booked his spot within the semis on D2.
Who will win this 12 months’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will probably be defending his title and you may watch the motion each single Thursday from February till Might on Sky Sports activities. Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW.
