Stephen Bunting heads into the Premier League Darts 2026 below some scrutiny however he’s ensuring to disregard the skin noise and put his finest foot ahead.
Bunting was the inclusion on this 12 months’s Premier League that raised essentially the most eyebrows, with many individuals seeing it as a contest between ‘The Bullet’ and Nathan Aspinall on who would take the eighth spot.
It was the St Helens man who was chosen as a wildcard and he joins Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Worth for darts’ largest roadshow.
Whereas there was quite a lot of response throughout social media to Bunting’s place within the Premier League, he himself insisted he pays no thoughts to the detrimental feedback.
Fairly, he’s centered on going one higher than 2025, which was his finest 12 months ever on the PDC, and displaying why he needed to be included.
“It is my management and my wife that look at the social media side of things,” Bunting instructed Love the Darts.
“I nonetheless see the odd remark pop via however the persons are very detrimental, they don’t seem to be followers, a few of them are simply idiots actually who bounce on the bandwagon and say you aren’t doing effectively.
“They put these stories out and stuff. If I believed half the stuff that I read on social media I would have packed in a long time ago.
“I do know I must work more durable, I’m below no illusions. I must get myself fitter and keep on the prime of the sport.
“I’m world No 7 now, which isn’t a foul place to be honest, however I need to push again up the rankings.
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Talking on Love The Darts, Matt Edgar and Paul Nicholson focus on Stephen Bunting’s inclusion within the 2026 Premier League.
“I know it wasn’t just people online, it was pundits too who said they were surprised at my selection.
“What I might say again to them is, I gained six titles final 12 months, I used to be in 10 finals, I had one of many highest event averages particularly on the Gamers Championship, gained European occasions.
“It was the best season I have had on the PDC since I moved from the BDO and the fanbase is continuing to build.”
A ‘aid’ on a delayed flight
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Discover out the eight gamers who will compete for the Premier League Darts title in 2026.
Bunting and Aspinall had been collectively when the previous discovered of their inclusion and the latter knew they didn’t have an area.
They had been on a delayed flight house from an exhibition and Bunting admits it was a “relief” when he finally knew he had secured his spot.
“I was sat with Nathan (Aspinall) when we found out.
“Clearly, I used to be fairly assured I might be within the Premier League – I used to be fourth on this planet for 10 months of the 12 months.
“I had a great start to the year and not the best end to the year so I can understand why people were saying I shouldn’t be in.
“I nonetheless really feel like I’ve obtained so much to offer. Not simply with the darts however the fanbase, the walk-on, all of the stuff like that.
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Wayne Mardle reveals who he believes is fortunate to be included and unfortunate to overlook out on the Premier League darts 2026 line-up.
“Obviously them last hours before them announcing, I didn’t find out until about 10 minutes before it was actually announced.
“I gave a little bit fist bump on the airplane, we had been delayed on the airplane, and Nathan was sat two seats away from me.
“So, he knew then I was in. It was relief. I know I need to work hard again this year to make sure I am in it next year.
“I all the time need to be a part of the Premier League. I did not have the best marketing campaign final 12 months however I confirmed what a fighter I used to be, I ended up successful an evening in Berlin.
“Some of my performances, I beat myself up probably more than I should have.
“I imagine I had one of many highest event averages final 12 months so there have been a number of positives and I’m certain I can study from final 12 months going into this 12 months.”
A troublesome World Darts Championship
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Stephen Bunting discusses the backlash he has obtained on social media after he commented on being the individuals’s champion.
The response to his inclusion within the Premier League got here on the again of some social media backlash on the World Darts Championship when Bunting known as himself the ‘Folks’s Champion’.
Bunting is trying to transfer on from what was a troublesome interval throughout the worlds through which his son was in poor health and ensure the “best version” of ‘The Bullet’ is on present in 2026.
“Don’t mention the ‘People’s Champion’ please,” Bunting added.
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Alexandra Palace goes wild as Stephen Bunting arrives in type along with his iconic ‘Titanium’ walk-on track.
“I think people don’t see what went on behind the scenes before the worlds. On Christmas Day, I was in A and E with Theo until 2am.
“I’m by no means one to make excuses so I did not publicly put that out.
“I did 4 exhibitions main as much as the worlds that I wasn’t very effectively at. I had a cough and a chilly and was actually in poor health however I nonetheless managed to get via them.
“I went into the worlds without my best preparation and not feeling my greatest and evidently that led me down a dodgy path.
“This 12 months I’m going to take it a bit simpler on the exhibition circuit and I’m going to plan my diary so much higher, take care of myself, and provides the perfect model of myself.”
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday from February 5th in Newcastle until May 28th at The O2 in London on Sky Sports. Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW.
